Negatives or Hazards of Retrohaling?

stearmandriver · Mar 14, 2018

Hello,
Title says it all, I think. "Retrohaling" is something I've just kind of done instinctively for quite a while, though I never would have guessed it actually had a name. I just learned that recently. I've also, in a few posts discussing it, read cautions not to do it too frequently, or even at all. I was just wondering why not?
I don't mean this to turn into one of those touchy discussions on health issues. We're all big boys and girls and we can all make our own decisions. I just like to make *informed* decisions, so I'm wondering if there's something I don't know about retrohaling that makes it different?
Realistically, I personally probably smoke infrequently enough for it not to matter (few bowls a week) but I'm curious.
Thanks!
Edited by jvnshr: Title capitalization (please check Rule #9)

Civil War · Mar 14, 2018

"Retrohaling" is something I've just kind of done instinctively for quite a while

Likewise

mikethompson · Mar 14, 2018

I just know its about exposing more smoke to mucous membranes in your nose. Some swear they get more flavour that way. I've tried it a few times and it didn't do anything for me, so I just roll the smoke around in my mouth and exhale.
To each their own.

cosmicfolklore · Mar 14, 2018

I agree with Mike. And, sometimes I will start sneezing like crazy, and other times it just makes my sinuses feel like I was snorting sand. I guess some sinuses are tougher than others, but I get enough nicotine from wallowing the smoke around in my mouth that I probably just don't need this technique.
As for warning by others, maybe they just experience something negative, and threw that in from personal experience. We all tend to post from personal experiences, and not everyone is the same. Just a guess.

Chasing Embers · Mar 14, 2018

I constantly retrohale.

derekflint · Mar 14, 2018

I constantly retrohale.

Me too...it's automatic. I would have to really concentrate to not do it. Never had any sneezing issues with it.

mawnansmiff · Mar 14, 2018

It's pretty much how I smoke all the time. I detect more flavours with my nose than with my mouth. It is important to have a clean and dry nose to get the most out of retrohaling in my view.
Regards,
Jay.

mso489 · Mar 14, 2018

There won't ever be medical/scientific studies on this; the cohort's too small. But the caution would be not to expose additional mucosal tissue to tobacco smoke and all its various constituent chemicals. I'd say, if you don't retro-hale, don't start. Once you start, you probably won't stop.

midwestpipesmoker70 · Mar 14, 2018

I feel that I do taste the tobacco better by retro haling. I retro hale constantly with my favorite tobaccos as it makes a world of difference for me. One thing I found out and it is kind of subconscious, but when I am trying a blend out that I am not really loving, I notice I don't retro hale much or at all. I am not a big aro fan and I am finding that I have to make myself retro hale to try to get all of the flavors. In many aro blends there is something added (topping) that doesn't agree with me. So I guess, for me, retro haling is the true test whether I like a tobacco or not.

derekflint · Mar 14, 2018

In many aro blends there is something added (topping) that doesn't agree with me.

Whatever that is..it really doesn't agree with me either!! It's horrible !!

Chasing Embers · Mar 14, 2018

Takes years to appreciate aros. Definitely not the first group for anyone to try. After 27 years, I now regularly smoke them, and enjoy them quite a bit.

hawky454 · Mar 14, 2018

I constantly retrohale as well, guess it’s an ex cigarette smoker thing? I don’t know how else you would taste the tobacco. I am always amazed to hear that some pipe smokers don’t do it. I’m not saying I’m right and they’re wrong or anything but just do whatever you enjoy, really. I do a sinus rinse every night to really keep them clean and I’ve never had a problem.

Chasing Embers · Mar 14, 2018

Here's an old test to try. Hold your nose while eating, and see how much you can taste. Smell and taste are closely bound to each other.

oldtoby · Mar 14, 2018

Agreed, Hawky.
Retro-hale, French inhale, side stream inhale, it's all good. :wink:
Edit: You're right Chasingembers, at least in my humble opinion. I "taste" much more with my nose.

derekflint · Mar 14, 2018

Ever see Matches 860 smoke ? He never retrohales. Blows it out fast. Doesn't look enjoyable in the least..to me anyway.

luigi · Mar 14, 2018

I think there are more taste receptors in the nose than in the mouth so it sounds logical retrohaling makes you feel more flavours from a smoke.

jvnshr · Mar 14, 2018

Our forum member hawke had the below gif as his avatar:

cosmicfolklore · Mar 14, 2018

I'm pretty sure I still smell and experience the smoke through my nose without forcing smoke through my sinuses. And, I am not knocking those that do this. It's actually very cool looking, and if it didn't tear my sinuses up, I would be doing it also. But, I still get the effect of aroma, just not an overload.

Basically, there aren't any rules to all of this, and no one is going to revoke your pipesmoker's card. Just enjoy it however you want, and it's always good to suggest new things to folks just starting out, and even good to suggest that said things might be dangerous. We all decide for ourselves what is going to work and what isn't. Take the whole forum with a grain of salt, IMO.

hawky454 · Mar 14, 2018

In theory, those that don’t retrohale may be experiencing the flavors more and for a longer period of time than those who retrohale. Just thinking about what Cosmic said, any time you overload the olfactory receptors you get olfactory fatigue. Interesting. I’m afraid once you go retrohale (assuming it doesn’t mess up your sinuses) you never go back. I couldn’t not retrohale even if I tried, it’s just become an involuntary reaction.

barepipe · Mar 14, 2018

Retro-hale, French inhale, side stream inhale, it's all good.

Ok you have me curious about the French and side stream thing, tell me more!

Negatives or Hazards of Retrohaling?

Log in

SmokingPipes.com Updates

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Site Sponsors

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Might Stick Around

Lifer

Lifer

Lifer

Captain of the Black Frigate

Part of the Furniture Now

Lifer

Lifer

Can't Leave

Part of the Furniture Now

Captain of the Black Frigate

Lifer

Captain of the Black Frigate

Part of the Furniture Now

Part of the Furniture Now

Can't Leave

Moderator

Lifer

Lifer

Starting to Get Obsessed