12 replies to this topic

[penisbreath]

There is some documentation that Nicotine is actually helpful for OCD, though I find its effects on other areas (e.g. hypervigilance etc.) mixed and dependent on the form of ingestion (smoking vs. lozenges and so on).

I suspect part of the problem might be a general sensitivity .. and the fact that it's difficult to control the release rate, e.g. I can accidentally overdose on the gum/lozenges quite easily.

I've tried a mouth spray as well, which I liked, though the dose per spray (~1mg) was also a little high.

Other than the patch (which is expensive), would the e-cigarette possibly be a preferred method for controlling ingestion?

I find it to be one of the best OTC nootropics and superior to amphetamine for ADHD. It also boosts my mood.

[KimberCT]

If I recall correctly, the anxiolytic effects of nicotine occur with chronic use.

[penisbreath]

Interesting, thank you.

[cargocultist]

I agree with KimberCT. I've found that you need to get to the point where you basically can't OD, i.e. get nauseous, on a normal strength e-liquid even if you try. It's not a free lunch health wise obviously. However, I have mild IBS, stomach problems and psoriasis (nails) and I've found nicotine to be helpful there probably via th-17 and il-17 inhibition.

Norepinephrine antagonizes glutamate post-synaptically which could be neuroprotective for those who suffer from excitotoxicity. If I recall correctly the antagonism was strongest in the auditory cortex which is probably beneficial against intrusive thoughts.

Edited by cargocultist, 17 November 2013 - 02:03 AM.

[TVO]

Nicotine is pretty bad ass, never smoked before tried a patch and was blown away. Focus was way up, and had no anxiety, similar to phenibut.

[penisbreath]

Sorry, do you mean chronic use as in once you've adapted to the nausea/rush etc. of first-time ingestion, any random nicotine intake thereon will be anxiolytic?

Or does chronic use refer to continual intake over weeks?

I generally buy a small pack (~20) lozenges when I can afford it and use it up over 5 days. I don't really notice a strong anxiolytic effect during that period .. as with the honeymoon period of stimulants, I feel more energetic, colours are enhanced, mood is noticeably boosted.

[cargocultist]

Sorry, do you mean chronic use as in once you've adapted to the nausea/rush etc. of first-time ingestion, any random nicotine intake thereon will be anxiolytic?

Or does chronic use refer to continual intake over weeks?

I generally buy a small pack (~20) lozenges when I can afford it and use it up over 5 days. I don't really notice a strong anxiolytic effect during that period .. as with the honeymoon period of stimulants, I feel more energetic, colours are enhanced, mood is noticeably boosted.

Adapting to nicotine can go very quickly if you try. Easily within a week and you're completely used to it.

If lozenges are too expensive I recommend a refillable e-cigarette solution. Bulk juices are very very cheap and you can get them in very high strengths (up to 100mg/ml = crazy; almost deadly) and dilute them yourself with vegetable glycerin or propyl glycol. By the way: glycerin and glycerol are the same substance.

I'd look for 100mg/ml e-juice/e-liquid and dilute it if you want the cheapest solution.

[protoject]

I found eliquid was superior to all other forms including patch, cigs and gum. But I've only tried it a few times. Would be cool to try it again.

[penisbreath]

I found eliquid was superior to all other forms including patch, cigs and gum. But I've only tried it a few times. Would be cool to try it again.

Superior in what sense?

[Sunwind]

Nicotine is pretty bad ass, never smoked before tried a patch and was blown away. Focus was way up, and had no anxiety, similar to phenibut.

Same experience here. I avoided stimulants until this year my whole life because I always thought they "cause anxiety", but I found that stimulants relieve my anxiety. I started off with nicotine patches and gum, and they were awesome, then I started smoking, something I said I would never do. Anyway after about a month of smoking I decided to quit and bought an e-cig, now I get my nicotine via that without the cancer. It's pretty helpful.

[protoject]

I found eliquid was superior to all other forms including patch, cigs and gum. But I've only tried it a few times. Would be cool to try it again.

Superior in what sense?

In the sense that it's a much more controllable delivery, especially for someone who's a non-smoker or has quit smoking for a significant period of time, or who never was a major smoker, or is sensitive to nicotine in general.

I tried the patch for a while and honestly I can't say whether it caused any nootropic effect or not, and I didn't notice an improvement of mood.. maybe even a worsening.. Gum was just not anywhere near controllable for me, and kind of inconvenient, and easy to take too much of by accident, or too much at once. I like the nicotine effect from cigarettes, but they taste and smell like ass, are super bad for your lungs and other stuff , and they really make me sick at times just because they're so nasty. (even if I don't get high off the nicotine, during times where I was smoking more, they were still sickening from all the other crap in there).

I tried smoking nicotine from an E cig maybe about 3 times. The vapor is so nice and clean. The effect the first time was mood-enhancing and nootropic. The next 2 times I didn't smoke as much, but it was like smoking a super clean cigarette with none of the bullshit. and it doesn't make me sick.

[penisbreath]

Yeah, I find it difficult to control release with the gum and it can quickly veer from being helpful to outright anxiogenic and unpleasant. The e-cig sounds exactly like what I'm looking for, so I'll pick one up soon and report back.

[seidojohn]

I've been using e-cigs for about 3 years now. Exclusively using e-cigs since a little over 3 months ago, when I quit smoking. If you all have any questions about 'em or need a recommendation, I'd be more than happy to help. Some brands/styles are essentially garbage and can easily turn one away from the whole idea of nicotine vaporizers, but there's also some awesome stuff that is pretty cheap, low maintenance, and gives large amounts of vapor.

Here's how effective e-cigs are for me: I went from smoking 30 cigarettes/day for over 15 years (plus e-cigs while working indoors) to 0 cigarettes/day as soon as the battery in a new device was charged. I certainly haven't quit nicotine, and while I possibly use more nicotine now than ever before, it's way cheaper than smoking and I don't get all that nasty smoke.