4 ms·

Before I start I note that I'm old enough to do what I want and I have no other habits/vices, but don't vape, kids ;-) So I, a total non-smoker, started experi

Before I start I note that I'm old enough to do what I want and I have no other habits/vices, but don't vape, kids ;-) So I, a total non-smoker, started experimenting with nicotine a few weeks ago. First I tried gum which did nothing but give me an itchy throat. Then I bought a vaping device and some juices. Why? I think I'm low in dopamine (I am not depressed, though) and had read nicotine provides a temporary boost (until you get hooked) and I was intrigued to feel the difference. I can't really tell what's happening. I like the taste and mouth feel of the smoke but the nicotine itself is a bust. Perhaps a very mild caffeine-esque feeling at a push. It hasn't proven addictive as it's been sat out in my car untouched for the past four days! Perhaps the nicest sensation is that of taking a truly deep breath.. but that feels just as good without the vape! I remain intrigued what this means and hope to speak to someone medical about it one day. There's nicotine because it stings the throat if you hold it there (versus a zero nicotine juice) but whatever this amazing sensation people get has clearly passed my receptors by.

grawprog 5y ago
>I quite like the taste and mouth feel of the smoke but the nicotine itself is a bust. Perhaps a very mild caffeine-esque feeling at a push? It hasn't proven addictive as it's been sat out in my car untouched for the past four days! As someone who stupidly started smoking later in life, that's pretty much how it goes. Nicotine addiction isn't like on TV where you smoke a cigarette or puff a vape and suddenly you're hooked. It's a slow process you find yourself doing more and more often until you realize one day, it's every day all the time.
- axaxs 5y ago
  I'll add to that - I never found nicotine that addictive. Some grogginess, a little on edge, gone before you know it. What's hard to quit are the motor memories/habits. Get in the car, reach for your ... wait no we quit that. You start realizing how many little habits you have that way.
  - grawprog 5y ago
    This is the hardest part. This and being around people who smoke. You get used to those times when you have a smoke, or socializing with people who're smoking. Even just having your smokes in your pocket or something becomes one of those things.
- petercooper 5y ago
  If that's the case, I'll ditch the nicotine juices and enjoy the zero nic ones on a rare occasion then. The smoke/flavor part is amusing, but as a drug, I'm not seeing the appeal. Sugar or caffeine has a more noticeable effect.
  - grawprog 5y ago
    I'm only speaking from my own personal experience. Everyone's different, bit i definitely found nicotine to be a slow building thing. I never found it all that great. Like you say, it's not much different than a cup of coffee or something, maybe not even as strong and that's almost why you don't tend to notice when it becomes a habit. It's really subtle.
- qvrjuec 5y ago
  I've also heard similar experiences from heroin users when talking about their path to addiction. A real negative of anti-drug/smoking education is the hyperbole used when describing how addictive and amazing the substance is. When the user tries it and finds that their first hit is kind of... underwhelming, at least compared to everything they've heard, it's easier for them to say "eh, I'll never get addicted. I can do this casually" until, whammo - they're hooked.
freedomben 5y ago
I smoked a variety of tobacco products for years and never got anything out of it either, so it may be that some people just don't work with it. I quit trying long before vaping became a thing but I would expect similar results. I did end up moving to dip (Skoal) however and that worked. It was never more than a minor buzz but at least it did something. For me it was incredibly relaxing. I quit dip years ago as well but I still find myself with urges to put one in while driving, and especially after meals. Highly addictive stuff and you don't even see it coming. If you're thinking of trying it though, it is really easy to overdo it and end up dizzy or sick. This is especially true on your first dip. If you're going to try it, take a small pinch first! If you overdo it, lie down and take a nap and sleep it off.
- petercooper 5y ago
  Tobacco doesn't appeal to me so I won't be likely to go down that route, but it's interesting to hear your experience. The only thing I've ever taken that's given me a true buzz plus relaxation is doxylamine which is a common OTC sleep aid in the US. The only problem is shortly thereafter it also knocks me out well into the next day so isn't exactly something to take with any regularity(!)
zeroego 5y ago
Have unfortunately been a smoker on and off for a while. Am currently using a Juul and have successfully been winding down my nicotine dependence again. They way I initially got hooked was in college. I would not mix alcohol with your nicotine experience. You'll feel it much more acutely. I've also read/heard that people with ADHD are far more susceptible to nicotine addiction FWIW.
beowulfey 5y ago
I have never smoked, but the impression I had was that sensation of relief happens after you become addicted. When addicted but not smoking, you feel withdrawal effects that are diminished in a quick surge upon smoking again. Not feeling anything is good…
vizzier 5y ago
Interesting thoughts. Some back for you from an ex smoker: I'm not entirely sure that the feeling would be described as amazing. When smoking Cigarettes I'd get a mild "buzz" nothing so strong as cannabis or alcohol in its effects, but noticeable. Probably something akin in strength to a strong coffee. I was unable to replicate that 'buzz' with a vape pen that I used while attempting to give up. However, I have to draw a difference between that feeling of buzz from the direct chemical effects from the feeling of relief of having your addiction fulfilled. The latter maybe the more extreme, the craving of nicotine is a near constant building tension that is released with that next cigarette. Apart from yourself others have noted the meditative aspects of cigarette smoking. Beside the chemical addition aspect when giving up smoking you're losing a ritualistic break where you can spend a few minutes away from what you're currently doing, usually alone, to do a deep breathing exercise. This ritual is often a contributor to the difficulties in giving up.
klyrs 5y ago
I think I'm sensitive to nicotine; ymmv on actual effects. If I smoke a cigarette, it gives me a dizzy buzz, nausea, shakes, sweats... and that doesn't go away even if I smoke regularly for months. I wouldn't call it "relief" of any sort. I usually quit after a couple of weeks, and stay off for years, but I've been addicted since I was in high school. My last stint was because I'd read that nicotine can moderate stress... but I've found that stepping outside for a quick walk and not smoking is even better.
w0de0 5y ago
As a nicotine addict I caution you against assuming addiction is not looming. In my experience the onset of nicotine addiction is sudden and consuming. For some time, perhaps, you smoke or vape merely socially, experimentally, after a whisky at a party. Then, suddenly, perhaps after one too many the night before, ferocious withdrawal threatens. It is not a slow process, but a sudden toggle.
- w0de0 5y ago
  I will also add that in my experience a nicotine high only exists when consuming a large amount before you have developed a tolerance. I believe most addicts do not get real pleasure, either.

grawprog 5y ago

>I quite like the taste and mouth feel of the smoke but the nicotine itself is a bust. Perhaps a very mild caffeine-esque feeling at a push? It hasn't proven addictive as it's been sat out in my car untouched for the past four days! As someone who stupidly started smoking later in life, that's pretty much how it goes. Nicotine addiction isn't like on TV where you smoke a cigarette or puff a vape and suddenly you're hooked. It's a slow process you find yourself doing more and more often until you realize one day, it's every day all the time.

axaxs 5y ago
I'll add to that - I never found nicotine that addictive. Some grogginess, a little on edge, gone before you know it. What's hard to quit are the motor memories/habits. Get in the car, reach for your ... wait no we quit that. You start realizing how many little habits you have that way.
- grawprog 5y ago
  This is the hardest part. This and being around people who smoke. You get used to those times when you have a smoke, or socializing with people who're smoking. Even just having your smokes in your pocket or something becomes one of those things.
petercooper 5y ago
If that's the case, I'll ditch the nicotine juices and enjoy the zero nic ones on a rare occasion then. The smoke/flavor part is amusing, but as a drug, I'm not seeing the appeal. Sugar or caffeine has a more noticeable effect.
- grawprog 5y ago
  I'm only speaking from my own personal experience. Everyone's different, bit i definitely found nicotine to be a slow building thing. I never found it all that great. Like you say, it's not much different than a cup of coffee or something, maybe not even as strong and that's almost why you don't tend to notice when it becomes a habit. It's really subtle.
qvrjuec 5y ago
I've also heard similar experiences from heroin users when talking about their path to addiction. A real negative of anti-drug/smoking education is the hyperbole used when describing how addictive and amazing the substance is. When the user tries it and finds that their first hit is kind of... underwhelming, at least compared to everything they've heard, it's easier for them to say "eh, I'll never get addicted. I can do this casually" until, whammo - they're hooked.

freedomben 5y ago

I smoked a variety of tobacco products for years and never got anything out of it either, so it may be that some people just don't work with it. I quit trying long before vaping became a thing but I would expect similar results. I did end up moving to dip (Skoal) however and that worked. It was never more than a minor buzz but at least it did something. For me it was incredibly relaxing. I quit dip years ago as well but I still find myself with urges to put one in while driving, and especially after meals. Highly addictive stuff and you don't even see it coming. If you're thinking of trying it though, it is really easy to overdo it and end up dizzy or sick. This is especially true on your first dip. If you're going to try it, take a small pinch first! If you overdo it, lie down and take a nap and sleep it off.

petercooper 5y ago
Tobacco doesn't appeal to me so I won't be likely to go down that route, but it's interesting to hear your experience. The only thing I've ever taken that's given me a true buzz plus relaxation is doxylamine which is a common OTC sleep aid in the US. The only problem is shortly thereafter it also knocks me out well into the next day so isn't exactly something to take with any regularity(!)

zeroego 5y ago

Have unfortunately been a smoker on and off for a while. Am currently using a Juul and have successfully been winding down my nicotine dependence again. They way I initially got hooked was in college. I would not mix alcohol with your nicotine experience. You'll feel it much more acutely. I've also read/heard that people with ADHD are far more susceptible to nicotine addiction FWIW.

beowulfey 5y ago

I have never smoked, but the impression I had was that sensation of relief happens after you become addicted. When addicted but not smoking, you feel withdrawal effects that are diminished in a quick surge upon smoking again. Not feeling anything is good…

vizzier 5y ago

Interesting thoughts. Some back for you from an ex smoker: I'm not entirely sure that the feeling would be described as amazing. When smoking Cigarettes I'd get a mild "buzz" nothing so strong as cannabis or alcohol in its effects, but noticeable. Probably something akin in strength to a strong coffee. I was unable to replicate that 'buzz' with a vape pen that I used while attempting to give up. However, I have to draw a difference between that feeling of buzz from the direct chemical effects from the feeling of relief of having your addiction fulfilled. The latter maybe the more extreme, the craving of nicotine is a near constant building tension that is released with that next cigarette. Apart from yourself others have noted the meditative aspects of cigarette smoking. Beside the chemical addition aspect when giving up smoking you're losing a ritualistic break where you can spend a few minutes away from what you're currently doing, usually alone, to do a deep breathing exercise. This ritual is often a contributor to the difficulties in giving up.

klyrs 5y ago

I think I'm sensitive to nicotine; ymmv on actual effects. If I smoke a cigarette, it gives me a dizzy buzz, nausea, shakes, sweats... and that doesn't go away even if I smoke regularly for months. I wouldn't call it "relief" of any sort. I usually quit after a couple of weeks, and stay off for years, but I've been addicted since I was in high school. My last stint was because I'd read that nicotine can moderate stress... but I've found that stepping outside for a quick walk and not smoking is even better.

w0de0 5y ago

As a nicotine addict I caution you against assuming addiction is not looming. In my experience the onset of nicotine addiction is sudden and consuming. For some time, perhaps, you smoke or vape merely socially, experimentally, after a whisky at a party. Then, suddenly, perhaps after one too many the night before, ferocious withdrawal threatens. It is not a slow process, but a sudden toggle.

w0de0 5y ago
I will also add that in my experience a nicotine high only exists when consuming a large amount before you have developed a tolerance. I believe most addicts do not get real pleasure, either.