A basic question
What does smoking do for you ? Does it release stress, or does it relieve the addictive need for nicotine - "get the monkey off your back".

You see, I think it's the latter. I think that fags are basically the worst, as in least effective, drugs ever.

Ignore the fact that they are likely to kill you, the smell etc etc.

Just what are they doing effects-wise ? With every other drug I've taken, I know what it does for me. With fags, it's just been a small head-rush from the first of the day, and that's it.

The rest of the time one has the compulsion to light up as a constant, almost. By the time I stopped, I was almost wanting a fag whilst one was still in my mouth.

Smoke joint after joint and you'll be on the floor. Drink pint after pint, ditto. Even coke has a slightly cumulative effect. Nicotine though - you can smoke 40 in a night and still be upright. Lungs fucked the next day though, but that's not the point.

Just what *are* the effects ?
( I_Was_Mordred, Thu 20 Mar 2008, 12:27, 5 replies)

The effects,
For me its more the ritual than the nicotine. I like to smoke. It may not "clinically" reduce stress, but the fact that one has to stop work, and go outside for two minutes is great for reducing stress. ITs that two minutes of peace and quiet free of phone calls, clients and trainees. Yes, I know I could go out side for two minutes anyway. But I like the taste, I like the action of smoking. It all adds up to giving me that 2 minutes of calm before going back in to the maelstrom. And yes, sometimes I want a smoke for the sake of wanting a smoke (it is addictive after all) and that's why I smoke only half on the weekend what I do at work.
(Teran Thinks Pogonophobia is funny, Thu 20 Mar 2008, 12:34, closed)

Effects
I found that the effects are more in your head or social than anything else.

When I used to work in a factory I found that lunch times people would pack in as many cigs as the 40 min break would allow!

For me I was just used to putting a white stick into my mouth and taking a drag.

Even now whe I wait around for someone I feel that I look out of place if I am just standing around with my hands in my pockets. At least if I have a smoke I look as if I am 'doing' something.

Its an addicition that is part physical and part mental but it effects everyone differently I guess..
(ldwater otherwise known as a 'jive turkey', Thu 20 Mar 2008, 12:52, closed)

Easy

They make you look really cool
(irv made you eat your parents in a chilli on, Thu 20 Mar 2008, 13:09, closed)

...
It's true, that's what I never 'got' about smoking. If you want to put something in your mouth as a ritual, then chew pens (that's what I do).

At least weed, alcohol etc actually *do* something. Nicotine just stops you feeling crap, a feeling you created by taking it in the first place.
(Axeman Jim, Thu 20 Mar 2008, 14:19, closed)

well...
I’ve never smoked really as a habit – just occasionally on a night out, and since they banned it in pubs I haven’t touched a cigarette as far as I remember.

Probably because it was so infrequent for me, I found that the effect IS noticeable. You get a pleasant headrush when you start smoking one, but then after that it wakes you up and it focuses you, and generally makes everything seem a bit... sharper. It's not a massive effect but I did find it very noticeable.

I'm sure as you smoke more these effects diminish and it becomes more of a habit or craving. But certainly it does have very positive short-term effects.
( kingofpork is the king of pork, Thu 20 Mar 2008, 15:41, closed)