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unadoptedlamp

Part of the Furniture Now
Mar 19, 2014
742
1,370
Haven't smoked in over 5 weeks now, and it's going to keep on going that way until spring arrives with some warmer weather. Maybe it will go on another few weeks.
I have a fairly strict rule that only logs are allowed to be burning in the fireplace inside my my home. I don't care what it is or how fun it is -everything else has got to be outside.
I guess if a smoker wanted to crawl into my fire box and puff away, they might be permitted for the novelty of it, but I just don't enjoy the stale smell of tobacco smoke in a house or indoor space. I doubt I would enjoy the smell left by the same quantity of incense smoke as well. It's too overpowering and... well, funky. And not in a fun or interesting way. A light wisp of smoke from a nice hours long fire from the previous night is just right for me though. I love that smell.
So with that, I'm not entirely sure if it is the nicotine or other aspects that pull me to the pipe. I feel like I enjoy the flavours and smells. If I didn't, I don't think I would keep more than one blend on hand and I guess I'd make sure it was full of nicotine. Administer as needed, like cigarettes. But for me that's not the case. I choose from a fairly wide variety and my smoking preference of the day is dictated by what I feel like tasting, rather than feeling.
However, junkies are often delusional. I would not be an exception. So there's that. I'm fairly certain that I experience at least a mild degree of nicotine withdraw symptoms, but they are just not strong enough to send me outside in sideways rain. For anyone who truly, 100% does not experience a withdraw symptom from nicotine, I'm sure you're a fantastic candidate for science, because you'd almost certainly be the first. A true freak.
But, junkies are delusional. And let's face it, at one level or another, we're all just junkies. Some of us just class it up a bit with nice pipes and interesting choices of tobacco.
I am most probably just in the delusional stage right now. However, it's been 5 weeks and I don't twitch. So I'm a functional junkie. Some of you poor fuckers, well, you're beyond hope, but at least you still have your looks!
I just popped on here to see if there was any news about some blends I was keeping an eye on. And then I also read a couple of funny threads with the usual cat scratching and backbiting and back slapping and funny and thoughtful and narrow minded and open minded comments. It's a nice collection.
Could be I also have a slight addiction to this site. I've been leeching and leering on here for a good ten years now -as a member for some of those- to get some information from the collective hive. I feel like I have pretty much all the information I need (aside from when some choice blends are on the market), yet somehow, I get pulled back once in awhile to check in on this group of gentlemen and misfits. Is that addiction or psychosis?
To be addicted to the pipe, truly, is a fucking weird thing. For all the junkies sitting around thinking that it's not... well, it is. And you damn well know it. But that is part of the appeal, no doubt. I think pipe smoking exists -for most people- in an odd space of being an addiction and a collector's hobby. A double whammy, I suppose. Good luck with that.

 

brian64

Lifer
Jan 31, 2011
10,019
16,023
^ As in any discussion, everything depends on definition of terms. If you can easily go over 5 weeks without it only because the weather is unfavorable and you don't want smoke in your home, then that most definitely does not meet my definition of addiction. Maybe it does yours.
I know I'm addicted to caffeine...absolutely...no question about it. So I know what an addiction feels like for me and how I'm affected by it.
Nicotine? It's a habit, but doesn't measure up to an addiction for me. I enjoy it like I enjoy avocados (I'd hate to give up avocados).
If it is an addiction, then it's far, far less powerful than caffeine...that much is certain...at least by my experience. But perhaps it affects Earthlings differently.
The most powerful addiction I observe in people on a mass scale is to cell phones. Take the average person's phone away and you'll likely find out how dangerous a real junkie can be.

 

milehighpiper

Can't Leave
Sep 10, 2018
418
310
Denver, CO
I smoke on average about 3 times a week, about 3-6 bowls. I often get the "nic-hit" but I do not smoke a blend for that reason. I never smoked cigarettes and enjoy the taste of different blends and trying to figure out differences between the same kind of blend between two companies. I also enjoy trying new blends with ingredients I have never tried before.
The relaxation part is primarily why I smoke. I don't smoke at work or in my truck, where things can get hectic. I reserve smoking for situations where I am fully relaxed and have the time to enjoy the blend for what it is. I don't believe it is a vile hobby, it is simply what you make of it and I make the best of it every bowl...

 
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