Do nicotine patches feel as good as a cigarette?

[Mise]

I've been thinking rationally about smoking (actually, I haven't thought rationally about any of my lifestyle choice since I started eating meat again, but never mind). If I can get the same heartwarming sense of satisfaction and relief that I get from putting that gorgeous white stick in my mouth and inhaling its cancery goodness from something that doesn't cause a multitude of degenerative diseases, then it would be rational to do that instead.

So do nicotine replacements have the same effect? Do the patches/gum/sucky-stick give that same feeling?

Eating tasty food, playing guitar, or simply going for a walk often make the urge to smoke disappear while I'm doing them, but then I just light up straight after. So I think I need something that removes the urge completely. I have absolutely no willpower whatsoever, bear in mind.


(Incidentally, it CAN be perfectly rational to smoke, if you consider "today's self" to be more important than "tomorrow's self" -- and if you consider that itself rational.)

 

[BEHIND_THE_MASK]

"...Give me that sweet cancer."

- Adam From The Motion Picture 'Saw'​

 

[scherbchen]

I have to preface this by saying that I never tried alternative methods of getting my nicotine. that being said...

I do not smoke cigars, though my brother used to throw really good ones at me. If i don't get that stuff into my lungs I am not satisfied. Same goes for pipes when he was into that.

For me the "kick" comes from oxygen deprivation, I guess, added to the nicotine. But as I said, I never tried patches or gum....

 

[skadistic]

No they don't. They just keep you from craving it. Less cravings = less smoking.

 

[Mise]

Pipes eh? Are they any cleaner? I guess cigars aren't though.

I think I might try the gum, I reckon chewing one will last as long as a cigarette would, and the nicotine will stop the cravings.

Only problem is I won't look half as cool

EDIT:

No they don't. They just keep you from craving it. Less cravings = less smoking.

Damn.

I always thought that when I smoked after a long day at work, the good sense of relief was simply my craving being satiated. Surely the nicotine in the gum/patch would do the same thing?

 

[Miles Teg]

It says something grand about our culture when inhaling substances that cause permanent bodily harm is considered "cool".

 

[scherbchen]

It says something grand about our culture when inhaling substances that cause permanent bodily harm is considered "cool".

oh puh-lease... 1990 called, they miss you.

edit: wait, smoking was kinda ok back then, I guess... well... 2000 then. hah!

 

[Shadylookin]

I've heard you can actually get addicted to the act of just having something in your mouth like a cigarette. A lot of people that try and stop will start using toothpicks as a substitute. but with nicotine patches you supposedly have more erotic dreams

It says something grand about our culture when inhaling substances that cause permanent bodily harm is considered "cool".

All "cool" things are harmful otherwise they wouldn't be cool. At least smoking presents little immediate danger unlike other cool things like over consumption of alcohol.

 

[Bill3000]

No they don't. They just keep you from craving it. Less cravings = less smoking.

Mmm? Nicotine patches are simply nicotine. It's not a suppressor.

 

[Mise]

I've heard you can actually get addicted to the act of just having something in your mouth like a cigarette. A lot of people that try and stop will start using toothpicks as a substitute. but with nicotine patches you supposedly have more erotic dreams

Erotic dreams eh? How come I don't get those when I smoke before bed

Anyway I'm certainly addicted to the act of putting a stick in my mouth and inhaling toxic fumes. The act itself is pleasurable, separate from the Nicotine. I think part of the "experiment" is to determine whether it's somewhat pavlovian -- I associate the innocuous act with the nice sensation, and thus I'm drawn towards the act itself as well.

I guess I'd like to know how much of the addiction is physiological, and how much is psychological.

A friend at work used to make "virtual cigarrettes". He even went out for breaks in the smokers' hut to "smoke" them. Apparently they helped.

 

[skadistic]

Damn.

I always thought that when I smoked after a long day at work, the good sense of relief was simply my craving being satiated. Surely the nicotine in the gum/patch would do the same thing?

Gum is different then patches. Gum will give you a higher dose then a patch but unlike the patch the effect is short lived. Plus side to the gums is you satisfy your oral habits and nicotine at the same time.

Mmm? Nicotine patches are simply nicotine. It's not a suppressor.

Yes they keep the cravings down by slowly leeching out nicotine. The measured dose stops the cravings. No cravings = no smoking or so they say.



Your best bet to quit is to just quit. No patches or gums. They don't stop the addiction only change the delivery method. And they are more expensive then cigarettes.

 

[skadistic]

Erotic dreams eh? How come I don't get those when I smoke before bed

Anyway I'm certainly addicted to the act of putting a stick in my mouth and inhaling toxic fumes. The act itself is pleasurable. I think part of the "experiment" is to determine whether it's somewhat pavlovian -- I associate the innocuous act with the nice sensation, and thus I'm drawn towards the act itself as well.

I guess I'd like to know how much of the addiction is physiological, and how much is psychological.

A friend at work used to make "virtual cigarrettes". He even went out for breaks in the smokers' hut to "smoke" them. Apparently they helped.

There is definitely multiple levels to cigarette addiction. There is the chemical addiction and the habitual aspect. Even after almost 3 years I still fidget with things in my hand and put things in my mouth.

 

[Whomp]

I don't think the patch or gum means anything until you want to quit. My neighbors doing the gum and she's miserable but ready to quit. Alcohol will be her obstacle.

It's all about doing something with your hands and the oral sensation that you're craving. Take up origami or something. You know, just roll pieces of paper into mini butts and pretend you're "cool" again.

 

[scherbchen]

I don't think the patch or gum means anything until you want to quit. My neighbors doing the gum and she's miserable but ready to quit. Alcohol will be her obstacle.

Ah alcohol and tobacco... so true. never do I want a cigarette (to the British: bum, fag... is there a new slang word for it?) more than when I have a beer.

 

[Mise]

Your best bet to quit is to just quit. No patches or gums. They don't stop the addiction only change the delivery method. And they are more expensive then cigarettes.

TBH the biggest reason I'm considering quitting is, ironically, peer pressure...

As such, I simply don't have the will power to quit (because I don't really want to quit!). That's why I "need" some kind of replacement. I don't have any kind of personal objection to addiction, hence I don't mind being addicted to gum/patches. Nor do I object to spending even more money as a direct result of cigarrettes.

I don't think the patch or gum means anything until you want to quit.

Well that's a bugger........

There is definitely multiple levels to cigarette addiction. There is the chemical addiction and the habitual aspect. Even after almost 3 years I still fidget with things in my hand and put things in my mouth.

It's all about doing something with your hands and the oral sensation that you're craving. Take up origami or something. You know, just roll pieces of paper into mini butts and pretend you're "cool" again.

Thing is, every time I do that (with pens, mostly), it reminds me about cigarrettes. And it's when I start thinking about them that I start wanting one. I might try doing something more "constructive" than spinning pens in my fingers though, like doodling or something.

 

[skadistic]

Play with something not cigarette shaped. It helps.

 

[Fifty]

try sniffing opiates!

 

[Bill3000]

Yes they keep the cravings down by slowly leeching out nicotine. The measured dose stops the cravings. No cravings = no smoking or so they say.

No, nicotine patches release nicotine into the body. It's a simple transdermal patch. It stops the cravings because you are supposed to be satisfied by the dosage of nicotine that is entering the body.

 

[Cannae]

It says something grand about our culture when inhaling substances that cause permanent bodily harm is considered "cool".

QFT

try sniffing opiates!

 

[scherbchen]

QFT

*cough* SUVs, alcohol, junk food, Viagra, unprotected sex *cough*

seriously. Just because it has become fashionable to bash smokers is no reason to jump the bandwagon. self-inflicted bodily harm is as old as... huh... dunno.

The only gripe I have with anti-smokers is that it is just soooo "in" right now. I never smoke where people would get annoyed, I never light up around my little niece or sister. I do not hang out in clubs or bars so spare me that self-righteousness "cool" speach.

I started smoking when I was 23. If it would have been for the coolness factor I would have started at 13.