Do You Smoke for a Nic-Hit?
- Thread starter Pipelady20
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** Funkhouse slaps olkofri a few times, with his own half eaten trout**
Obviously you've never been to the edge and gazed into the abyss.
You all are funny. I appreciate the good-natured ribbing and discussion.
I enjoy the nicotine. I usually smoke once a week, on the weekend, and want a bowl that will hold me in my chair. If I don't feel any different at the end of a smoke than when I started, then I feel like it's a wasted smoke session.
I smoke a pipe because cigarettes do too much lung damage and the instant dopamine response would lead to easier addiction, cigars are too expensive, and vape seems a little "poser." I love a good real tobacco flavor, an hour of peaceful relaxation, and the ability to settle into the warm, contented feeling brought on by a nicotine-heavy blend. Many nicotine delivery methods are too efficient, and knowing me, I need me to work for it, settle into the ritual, and enjoy the journey, otherwise I'll go to the destination too quickly and often.
To those who say that they're not in it for the nicotine:
If there are flavors or experiences that are less potentially harmful and less expensive, why choose pipe smoking?
Even if you're not consciously feeling the effects of nicotine, if you are using it regularly, it's in the background releasing neurotransmitters that reinforce neural pathways that form habit. Not trying to ruffle any feathers, or fur, but nicotine is habit-forming, and and if you deny that it plays any role, part of your brain may just be covering for you.
I enjoy the nicotine. I usually smoke once a week, on the weekend, and want a bowl that will hold me in my chair. If I don't feel any different at the end of a smoke than when I started, then I feel like it's a wasted smoke session.
I smoke a pipe because cigarettes do too much lung damage and the instant dopamine response would lead to easier addiction, cigars are too expensive, and vape seems a little "poser." I love a good real tobacco flavor, an hour of peaceful relaxation, and the ability to settle into the warm, contented feeling brought on by a nicotine-heavy blend. Many nicotine delivery methods are too efficient, and knowing me, I need me to work for it, settle into the ritual, and enjoy the journey, otherwise I'll go to the destination too quickly and often.
To those who say that they're not in it for the nicotine:
If there are flavors or experiences that are less potentially harmful and less expensive, why choose pipe smoking?
Even if you're not consciously feeling the effects of nicotine, if you are using it regularly, it's in the background releasing neurotransmitters that reinforce neural pathways that form habit. Not trying to ruffle any feathers, or fur, but nicotine is habit-forming, and and if you deny that it plays any role, part of your brain may just be covering for you.
One way to approach the debate would be to pose the hypothetical question: would you smoke a pipe if all pipe tobacco was nicotine free?
I would, which is why I know I don't smoke it for the nicotine at all. I'm actually bummed out on a long day off when I have to quit after a third or fourth bowl into the day relaxing outside because the nicotine is kicking in.
Same for coffee, I'll drink decaf and truly just enjoy the flavor, I don't drink it for the caffeine (though in the past I did).
I would, which is why I know I don't smoke it for the nicotine at all. I'm actually bummed out on a long day off when I have to quit after a third or fourth bowl into the day relaxing outside because the nicotine is kicking in.
Same for coffee, I'll drink decaf and truly just enjoy the flavor, I don't drink it for the caffeine (though in the past I did).
A good pipe blend tastes s o much better than any cigarette I have ever smoked, including Cuban cigarettes which blow away American ones. I used to be a big cigar smoker 5 plus a day and once I tasted some good pipe tobacco and learned how to smoke a quality pipe, I gave up cigars even though they have way more nicotine than pipe tobacco. So for me it is all about the variety of flavors I get from the many different blends in my cellar. I smoked a variety of cigars from aged Cubans to Padron Anny's, to Don Carlos,Opus X, Diamond Crowns, Ashton VSG's, Davidoff Sun Grown's and Ashton Cabinet's.
There was a variety of flavors with all the different cigars I smoked, but I found more with pipe tobacco.
Another nice thing about pipe tobacco is it is so much cheaper than cigars and you get to keep the pipe when you are done.
There was a variety of flavors with all the different cigars I smoked, but I found more with pipe tobacco.
Another nice thing about pipe tobacco is it is so much cheaper than cigars and you get to keep the pipe when you are done.
The hypothetical is a good one. I have also found that after a few bowls I wish i could continue but I know when its enough when the lightness kicks in.
This is why mild blends are popular, especially with all day smokers.
I smoke lighter stuff as I go to keep from getting a head ache.
I don’t smoke in search of a buzz, but I would miss the nicotine if it wasn’t there. Same with coffee and caffeine.
I almost never get any nic hit from a pipe, even with supposedly nic heavy blends like royal yacht. But cigars - including supposedly mile ones - often throw me for a loop and make me sick.
My reasons for smoking a pipe are relaxation and the hobby -exploring blends and different pipes
My reasons for smoking a pipe are relaxation and the hobby -exploring blends and different pipes
Thank you for joining in the poll and discussion.
Looking at the results, most are not looking for a nic-hit and just "want to relax" (17) followed by "enjoying the hobby" (15). I would still like to mention that tied (at 11) for third are folks that are looking for the nicotine and those that sometimes do.
Let the conversation and the ribbing continue ?
Looking at the results, most are not looking for a nic-hit and just "want to relax" (17) followed by "enjoying the hobby" (15). I would still like to mention that tied (at 11) for third are folks that are looking for the nicotine and those that sometimes do.
Let the conversation and the ribbing continue ?
I really like the nicotine, but I also enjoy the flavors as well. In the morning I can feel the nic hit more. I've heard some say there's no nicotine in pipe tobacco , but then again, they haven't tried any of my tobacco 
oops sorry if I'm late , I just realized this was posted yesterdays poll..
oops sorry if I'm late , I just realized this was posted yesterdays poll..
No worries. The poll closes this evening ?I really like the nicotine, but I also enjoy the flavors as well. In the morning I can feel the nic hit more. I've heard some say there's no nicotine in pipe tobacco , but then again, they haven't tried any of my tobacco
These are exactly my thoughts on the matter as well. My enjoyment of both coffee and tobacco is limited by my reaction to both caffeine and nicotine. It’s a bummer!
I've used nicotine in some form for about 50 years. Cigs,snuff,chew,quick and effective delivery system. As I get older I use pipes and cigars,of course I like the nicotine,but I find them much more of a relaxing,contemplative way,plus it is a lot of fun trying different blends of pipe tobacco,and different styles and brands of cigars.
I smoke for the flavor, aroma, and experience of the tobacco. I also smoke when I need to think and clear my mind of something troubling. For me, as with most other things I put into my body like caffeine or alcohol, the nicotine from tobacco feels really great when everything is right. I need to have food in my stomach and some water or tea with tobacco, otherwise the nicotine hits me in a very unpleasant way - making me very anxious and giving me a stomach ache. But if the conditions are right, the nicotine gives me a really nice calming euphoric buzz and has the ability to quell my anxieties and adds to the wonderful experience of smoking. I generally try to avoid blends that are overly nicotine heavy. But I welcome a good buzz when it happens.
For me, no, I do not smoke a pipe for the nic-hit. I am actually not sure it is possible. I grew up around heavy cigarette smokers, was a heavy cigarette smoker myself for many years. I would wake in the middle of the night to smoke. I consider cigarettes as one of the most successful drug delivery system in modern history in terms of research, chemical engineering, marketing and, until the '90's, lobbying/politics. If I was after a nicotine (as I was for a long time), a pipe is the last place I would reach.
Final top 3 results:
No nic-hit, I'm relaxing (25%)
No nic-hit, I enjoy the hobby (21%)
Yes for a nic-hit, of course (17%)
Thank you for participating and for the discussions! I have found, as a new pipe smoker that I don't feel the nicotine in most of my tobacco, but I do realize it's still there. It usually takes a half a bowl on some before it hits me (HOTW for example), and then it's maybe in the first 5 minutes for others (Haunted Bookshop).
No nic-hit, I'm relaxing (25%)
No nic-hit, I enjoy the hobby (21%)
Yes for a nic-hit, of course (17%)
Thank you for participating and for the discussions! I have found, as a new pipe smoker that I don't feel the nicotine in most of my tobacco, but I do realize it's still there. It usually takes a half a bowl on some before it hits me (HOTW for example), and then it's maybe in the first 5 minutes for others (Haunted Bookshop).
Not intentionally. It is possible however that it plays a roll in me looking forward to the next bowl.
In the morning, I have a certain level of nicotine I need to get rolling, along with caffeine. Later in the day, strength doesn't matter so much except that I do like a boost of heavy nic from one of my stronger blends a couple times by evening. Nearly all my blends are "medium", with a couple heavy-hitters.