Nicotine and M.A.

[BrokenTitanium]

Do any of you folks regularly use nicotine products? If so have you all seen any draw backs due to the use of nicotine? Have you quit using nicotine products and seen an improvement in your overall performance, injury recovery times so forth? thanks

[David Jamieson]

Do any of you folks regularly use nicotine products? If so have you all seen any draw backs due to the use of nicotine? Have you quit using nicotine products and seen an improvement in your overall performance, injury recovery times so forth? thanks

quit.

quit now.

stay quit.

no one can justify the use of it in concert with any fitness regime.

It is and always will be a detriment to performance and health. Non smoke or smoke variety. all no good for you.

No escaping that. :)

[Hardwork108]

quit.

quit now.

stay quit.

no one can justify the use of it in concert with any fitness regime.

It is and always will be a detriment to performance and health. Non smoke or smoke variety. all no good for you.

No escaping that. :)


And my wife is trying to make her mind up to stop smoking and go on to using nicotine patches. Now I have to tell her that patches are no good for her either.:eek:

I suppose it is just deciding to quit and going throught whatever pain and discomfort one will encounter. If you have other tips then please let me know.

[Shaolinlueb]

like nicotine gum? not jsut cigarettes correct?

[Hardwork108]

like nicotine gum? not jsut cigarettes correct?

Was that directed at me?:confused:

[David Jamieson]

And my wife is trying to make her mind up to stop smoking and go on to using nicotine patches. Now I have to tell her that patches are no good for her either.:eek:

I suppose it is just deciding to quit and going throught whatever pain and discomfort one will encounter. If you have other tips then please let me know.

visit a hospice, check out an ICU.

visit a cancer ward or look up emphysema.

If that doesn't give you tips on why you should quit now, I don't know what will.

ask yourself this, is your petty addiction to a destructive drug worth more than your quality of life or your life itself.

It's a no brainer. There shouldn't be any reaosn to not quit.

Going through a few cravings is no big deal. Carry a water bottle and every time you wanna smoke or use tobacco, have a drink of water.

cessation aids just protract the quitting. not to mention, those "aids" are made by the same companies or their derivatives and partners that are selling you death on the long form.

It's legal, but it is a killer, make no bones about it.

[BoulderDawg]

Well at least we are headed in the right direction. fifty years ago the vast majority of Americans smoked(They even had the Flintstones doing winston commercials) but now that seems to be doing away fast.

Personally I never understood it. It's highly addictive, it doesn't get you high, it destroys your health and it's socially frowned upon....why start?

[Hardwork108]

visit a hospice, check out an ICU.

visit a cancer ward or look up emphysema.

If that doesn't give you tips on why you should quit now, I don't know what will.

ask yourself this, is your petty addiction to a destructive drug worth more than your quality of life or your life itself.

It's a no brainer. There shouldn't be any reaosn to not quit.

Going through a few cravings is no big deal. Carry a water bottle and every time you wanna smoke or use tobacco, have a drink of water.

cessation aids just protract the quitting. not to mention, those "aids" are made by the same companies or their derivatives and partners that are selling you death on the long form.

It's legal, but it is a killer, make no bones about it.

Very good advice and thank you. There is a long road ahead but it should be taken, sooner rather than later. :)

However, I don't smoke, it is the wife who is having trouble giving it up.

[Hardwork108]

Well at least we are headed in the right direction. fifty years ago the vast majority of Americans smoked(They even had the Flintstones doing winston commercials) but now that seems to be doing away fast.

Personally I never understood it. It's highly addictive, it doesn't get you high, it destroys your health and it's socially frowned upon....why start?

A lot of kids start just to fit in the crowd. I was never bothered about fitting in the crowd when I was a kid. I was happy with a couple of best friends and my family.:)

[AdrianK]

I don't know about the effects aside from the obvious, but there was once this guy in my class who was a huge cigarette smoker and oh man, when he started to sweat he smelled like ****. :mad:

[Shaolinlueb]

Was that directed at me?:confused:

nope, sorry i should have quoted initial poster.

[BoulderDawg]

I don't know about the effects aside from the obvious, but there was once this guy in my class who was a huge cigarette smoker and oh man, when he started to sweat he smelled like ****. :mad:


That could be anything. I knew this girl I worked with....extremely hot and did not smoke but you could her breath five feet away!:eek:

I also had a friend with a few mental problems who just quit bathing...very embarrassing when he shows up to a social function at your house!:p

[Lucas]

I smoked for a long time. When I became serious about martial arts I quit and never looked back.

One of the best decisions of my life.

[Lucas]

oh, and as far as your actual question goes;

everything gets easier.

[EarthDragon]

funny thing is my sifu showed me a picture of this champion fighter form mongolia and he was walking down the street with a smoke in his mouth. I laughed and said this top fighter smokes? to which he replied all great martial artists smoke... though that was funny but true, many of the old masters were opium smokers. go figure

[Hardwork108]

nope, sorry i should have quoted initial poster.

No problem.:)

[Hardwork108]

funny thing is my sifu showed me a picture of this champion fighter form mongolia and he was walking down the street with a smoke in his mouth. I laughed and said this top fighter smokes? to which he replied all great martial artists smoke... though that was funny but true, many of the old masters were opium smokers. go figure

I have been that the great Chow Gar master was a heavy cigarrette smoker up to his death which was around the age of 92.
Sometimes this kind of thing just doesn't make sense except for the fact that some of the old masters used chi kung exercises to counter the effects of smoking, which in this case makes a lot of sense.

[Hardwork108]

I smoked for a long time. When I became serious about martial arts I quit and never looked back.

One of the best decisions of my life.

Did you give up gradually or was it just in one go?

[BoulderDawg]

I have been that the great Chow Gar master was a heavy cigarrette smoker up to his death which was around the age of 92.
Sometimes this kind of thing just doesn't make sense except for the fact that some of the old masters used chi kung exercises to counter the effects of smoking, which in this case makes a lot of sense.

It happens that occasionally someone will live a long life while chain smoking. In fact smokers like to point to these cases.....while they ignore the many others that died in their 40s/50s/60s of lung cancer.

Sports figures use to smoke all of the time. It's been said that Joe Dimaggio chained smoked and actually got antsy when his team was out on the field for a long time. He would come in and smoke between innings.

[Hardwork108]

It happens that occasionally someone will live a long life while chain smoking. In fact smokers like to point to these cases.....while they ignore the many others that died in their 40s/50s/60s of lung cancer.

Good point. Well I am not the one to tell my wife about those smokers who lived to ripe old ages. Maybe being sports men helped them to work out their nicotine and keep their systems more clean. I know some kung fu masters do some internal cleansing exercises but they are the exception rather than the rule.

Actually, I am doing my best to give her all the scare stories I can regarding smoking.;)

[Oso]

smoking is bad...really, no joke here at all.

i thought i was going to have to have a go with a guy at work who refused to put his cigarette out when we were getting ready to deliver a tub.

the thing is, once they are addicted, they actually CAN breathe better right after a good smoke...but then, it reverses and they have to have the next one to keep going.

smokers have character defects...if not before then certainly after they get addicted. the denial I have witnissed has be unreal at times.

and I have a hard time when i see someone smoking with kids in the car...most especially in the winter with the windows all rolled up.

[Water Dragon]

Going through a few cravings is no big deal. Carry a water bottle and every time you wanna smoke or use tobacco, have a drink of water.




That, Sir, is the biggest crock of $hit I have ever heard. You shouldn't talk about things you know nothing about.

Sincerely,
H2O-16dayswithoutnicotine-Dragon

[Water Dragon]

Actually, I am doing my best to give her all the scare stories I can regarding smoking.;)

Here ya go, Bro. All the ammo you need and then some.

www.whyquit.com

[Lucas]

Did you give up gradually or was it just in one go?

I made a decision and quit. The moment for me was one day I was standing outside smoking, and I could feel all of the damage that my lungs had taken and I could feel my body telling me that I was killing myself. It was a horrible feeling. I quit then and there. I even lived with 4 other smokers and still quit. About 2 or 3 months after I quit I was with a friend who was smoking and I told him to give me a smoke. I wanted to test myself. I took a drag off of it and it was the nastiest **** ever. I gave it back to him.

IMO if you are adicted to something, the only way to truly be able to quit, is to want it. To truly want it. Thats what happened for me. That was 7 years ago.

[Lucas]

That, Sir, is the biggest crock of $hit I have ever heard. You shouldn't talk about things you know nothing about.

Sincerely,
H2O-16dayswithoutnicotine-Dragon

you can make it dude. serious, you will love yourself for it.

[Blacktiger]

Most of the masters in China smoke - in fact its weird if they dont...from my experinece in China in any case.


From the ones I have seen/trained with - sure as hell did not make any difference at all to them.

Over there if you smoke, you smoke and thats it - they dont seem to worry to much about the adverse affects like us in the west.

We are more like -wow they smoke and there skill is amazing - quite narrow minded really.

If your going to smoke - smoke and enjoy it.

:D

[BoulderDawg]

I doubt they've had any information about the dangers of smoking.

My guess is the level of smoking over there was like it was here in the 50s.

[BrokenTitanium]

Thanks everyone for the reply, I am not a smoker, I use Copenhagen as my nicotine fix. I am aware that this stuff is bad for me and anyone else that uses it. I am trying heal my back by doing various types of Shaolin excercises. I realize the importance of blood flow to the damaged areas to help with the healing process. I will discarding my can of Copenhagen and get truly serious about focusing on rehabing my back. Thanks again everyone for information.

[Lee Chiang Po]

I have a good friend that is a neuroscientist. He works with a large group of scientists to determine the dangers of certain things. He was involved in an extinsive research concerning addictions. He said that his job was to keep mice high on something. Coke, heroin, nicotine, alcohol, and whatever else. He told me that it appeared that nicotine was the most difficult to quite, and that quitting drinking alcohol suddenly can actually kill you. That is for alcoholics. Cravings are the same for all of these. It feels the same and most respond the same to them. That is why a person who gives up the smoke will eat more. Cravings for carbohydrates feels just like that of nicotine craving. The only way is to completely detox. Quite smoking and go day be day and do not smoke. Eventally, and much quicker than you would think, you actually do lose the cravings for nicotine. There will be times when the cravings are stronger, and will remain like that for a time. After a meal, after sex, early in the morning, or even on the pot. There are times when we habitually smoke, and these times are worse.
Women are far more addictive then men I think. They can be addicted to so many things. And it seems to be more difficult for them to give up addictions. Women are great at justifying themselves in anything, and they can come up with all sorts of reasons why they can not stop smoking. The only thing I feel will work with them is to tell them that smoking will make their butts wider.

[YouKnowWho]

When you walk in the woods, you close your eyes, take a deep breath, and bring that fresh air into your lung, you then realize that how wonderful the life is.

[Lucas]

some people were amazed by some of the things bruce lee did. doesnt change the fact that he destroyed himself with his steroid addiciton. just because someone smokes and has skill, doesnt mean smoking isnt bad for them. its still just as bad for them as it is for everyone else. but then i guess smoking tabacco isnt any worse than breathing a lot of chinas air in general...:rolleyes:

[sanjuro_ronin]

Some people can do many amazing physical feats REGARDLESS of their health.
Some people live to over 100 and never drink, some live to over 100 and drink every day !
Irrelevant what the small percentage do or don't do, just like in physical training, some people are great IN SPITE of what they do, not because of it.
Best to focus on the facts of what something like smoking does the the majority of people.

[YouKnowWho]

some live to over 100 and drink every day !
Will that person be able to live over 200 if he/she doesn't drink? I guess we would never know.

[BoulderDawg]

Will that person be able to live over 200 if he/she doesn't drink? I guess we would never know.


Say what?:confused:

I think I can safely assume the answer to that question is no since people don't live that long.

[Lucas]

Say what?:confused:

I think I can safely assume the answer to that question is no since people don't live that long.

im going to

[KC Elbows]

doesnt mean smoking isnt bad for them. its still just as bad for them as it is for everyone else

About six months back I recall seeing a story about a study that suggested that there are a small percentage of people who, because of genetics, tend not to suffer the same risks of cancer as other smokers from a lifetime of smoking. Still, the lung issues are enough to not want to do it.

As far as how to quit, anyone offering one way as the only way is wrong. If you find yourself quit, stay quit, if not, keep trying. For some, it's not solely an issue of addiction, some people genuinely like tobacco, which complicates things quite a bit. Still, trying is most of the time the precursor to doing, but if you find yourself laid up or otherwise unable to smoke for a period, use the momentum.

For some, it helps to have places they will not smoke, like at home, or inside in general, which is easier these days.

Still, not fun.

[David Jamieson]

That, Sir, is the biggest crock of $hit I have ever heard. You shouldn't talk about things you know nothing about.

Sincerely,
H2O-16dayswithoutnicotine-Dragon

Try it before you criticize it. You got that water bottle handy?

[WinterPalm]

I smoked for five years and quit New Year's eve 2000-2001.

It's crap, pure crap.
Another shoddy product filled with so many chemicals and junk, it doesn't get you high or anything, it just relieves the shoddy feeling of not having a cigarette...that's it.

Here's a question: why would people put this in themselves but wouldn't do the equivalent to their vehicle or computer? :cool:

[David Jamieson]

I smoked for five years and quit New Year's eve 2000-2001.

It's crap, pure crap.
Another shoddy product filled with so many chemicals and junk, it doesn't get you high or anything, it just relieves the shoddy feeling of not having a cigarette...that's it.

Here's a question: why would people put this in themselves but wouldn't do the equivalent to their vehicle or computer? :cool:

Because as a species we are stupid as posts. Individually is where the clever comes out. Or lacks...take your pick. People do a lot of stupid things with their cars and compies too. most time people don't talk about the boneheaded things they do though. :)

[Water Dragon]

Try it before you criticize it. You got that water bottle handy?

A sip of water wont do anything. A sip of fruit juice will though. One of the effects of nicotine on the body is to stimulate the adrenal glands. This gives the blood a shot of sugar from your body fat followed up by a shot of insulin. Fight or flight and all that jazz. When you smoke, the cigarettes 'feed' the body instead of the body. When you quit, your body has to learn to re-feed itself which takes about 3-4 days. In the meantime, a lot of the physical suffering that goes on during withdrawal is due to a type of temporary 'diabetic shock'. Drinking fruitjuice will give the body a quick shot of sugar until the body learns to feed itself again.

Water is important too, probably more important. But the benefits of water come from drinking a steady amount all day. A sip wont due anything to stop a craving or help alleviate withdrawal symptoms. At least not physically. There may be a placebo benefit, but jolly ranchers work better than anything else for me. Watermelon jolly ranchers to be precise.

[Violent Designs]

no man green apples are where its at.

oh yeah, can we not turn this thread into an anti-smoking advertisement.

i'm ****ing sick of them see too many everyday.

if people want to smoke ****ing let them.

[foster]

I quit in January of '06 and haven't looked back. It was actually very easy. I just got a giant bag of weed and smoked that instead.:p

Smoke to get high, not to die.

[Violent Designs]

weed sucks.

[GeneChing]

I wonder what that means. What TCM herbs do they put in those TCM cigs? People smoke all kinds of odd stuff, Colt's Foot, clove, frankincense, not just stuff to get high. I'm moving this thread from the main to the TCM forum.

'Healthy' cigarettes deceiving smokers (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03/26/content_9645474.htm)
By Shan Juan (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-26 09:03

BEIJING -A Beijing-based anti-smoking group on Thursday said there was no such thing as a safe cigarette and accused some tobacco companies of deceiving consumers.

Cigarettes hyped as low in tar and nicotine or laced with traditional Chinese medicine are misleading, if not outright cheating, warned Wu Yiqun, deputy director of the NGO Think Tank Research Center for Health Development at a seminar.

'Healthy' cigarettes deceiving smokers

China has 350 million smokers, official statistics show. Every year, one million die of smoking-related diseases such as lung cancer.

A survey conducted by sohu.com, one of China's major news portals, found that nearly 57 percent of smokers considered cigarettes marketed as low in tar and nicotine as being less harmful.

In fact, "as scientific studies worldwide have shown, (they) pose the same health risks to smokers as regular ones," Wu said.

China still applies the tar/nicotine measuring standard issued by the US Federal Trade Commission in 1966.

However, the commission rescinded the machine-based measurement as it could not provide meaningful data on the amount of tar and nicotine actually inhaled, said Wang Yiqun, an anti-smoking advocate.

The flawed testing method is largely used by the domestic tobacco industry to make false statements that their products are low in tar and nicotine, she noted.

She cited Zhongnanhai cigarettes, made by the Beijing Cigarette Factory.

Setting its sights on low tar/nicotine as a future marketing strategy, the factory allegedly invested heavily in techniques like adding traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) and shifting to light-colored and appealing packages, experts said.

"They are cheating consumers by cigarette pack design connecting low tar and TCM-laced cigarettes with a healthy, stylish and quality lifestyle," Wu noted.

They have also broken the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which specifies that member countries, including China, are obliged to undertake a ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, said Beijing-based lawyer Wang Huiyuan.

China signed the framework in 2003, promising to ban tobacco advertising and promotion by 2011.

A notice on the Beijing Cigarette Factory's official website said that with changing government policy, cigarette packs should change accordingly to elevate brand image, attract more consumers and make more profits.

[David Jamieson]

I wonder what that means. What TCM herbs do they put in those TCM cigs? People smoke all kinds of odd stuff, Colt's Foot, clove, frankincense, not just stuff to get high. I'm moving this thread from the main to the TCM forum.

In North America, smoking has been sufficiently demonized to reduce sales of cancer sticks dramatically, which leave the only viable markets to use old tactics overseas.

Britain is getting rid of cigarettes, other europeans not quite on board yet with that, but Asia is a promising market because it is filled with enthusiastic smokers who are not yet entirely educated on the matter of health vs smoking.

so, you are going to see a lot of marlboros get burned in beijing and a lot of chinese dead from lung cancer long before you're gonna see a blip in sales.

as for truth advocacy groups in China, well good luck! maybe in 10 or 20 years when the idea of widespread, consistent social ethics kicks in? lol

[Chief_Suicide]

I used this book.

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Way-Stop-Smoking-Non-Smokers/dp/1402718616/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270039692&sr=1-1


Not saying this way is better than that way, just saying it worked for me and it was amazingly easy.

I smoked almost 21 years.

Maybe it might help someone.

[Chief_Suicide]

I quit smoking on March 15th. It is now April 20th. It has been five weeks, over a month of no smoking.

It really has been different this time. I'm not climbing up walls and I'm not looking for excuses to smoke. Read the book and say prayer. It can't hurt.

[Lucas]

congrats man. i smoked for many years and quit 6 years ago. idk if it was the same for you but there came a point where i really truly desired to quit. once i reached that point it wasnt too hard.