PTSD and Pipe Smoking

[GilGalad65]

Hello,

I was never a smoker and I am in my 50's. I have been struggling with PTSD since I got sick about 10 years ago. I am a 2 time combat vet so I got issues I have found smoking a pipe or cleaning, researching, etc about pipes. Am I alone in that smoking a pipe calms me down from various triggers (not all of them), my VA doctors are exploding that after 50+ years I started smoking. Am I alone in this?

 

[ashdigger]

I’ve never been in the military, but I’ve seen things in my job that even in nightmares I’d never expect to see. I find the mechanics of pipe smoking extremely therapeutic. It’s not just smoking tobacco. It’s the whole process. It’s occupies my skull in a way no drug or “therapy” could.

 

[GilGalad65]

I’ve never been in the military, but I’ve seen things in my job that even in nightmares I’d never expect to see. I find the mechanics of pipe smoking extremely therapeutic. It’s not just smoking tobacco. It’s the whole process. It’s occupies my skull in a way no drug or “therapy” could.

Thank, I agree.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Hello,

I was never a smoker and I am in my 50's. I have been struggling with PTSD since I got sick about 10 years ago. I am a 2 time combat vet so I got issues I have found smoking a pipe or cleaning, researching, etc about pipes. Am I alone in that smoking a pipe calms me down from various triggers (not all of them), my VA doctors are exploding that after 50+ years I started smoking. Am I alone in this?

First, thanks for your service Sir! No experience with PTSD but smoking a pipe most certainly calms me. If it works for you, and it sounds like it does, enjoy. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask me.

 

[wordheavy]

I find smoking a pipe very relaxing. When I'm stressed, it helps me to slow down and reflect. I wouldn't say it's a cure all, but many times a little pause is all we need to reset.

 

[DonutLuvr]

Hello,

I was never a smoker and I am in my 50's. I have been struggling with PTSD since I got sick about 10 years ago. I am a 2 time combat vet so I got issues I have found smoking a pipe or cleaning, researching, etc about pipes. Am I alone in that smoking a pipe calms me down from various triggers (not all of them), my VA doctors are exploding that after 50+ years I started smoking. Am I alone in this?

Speaking from my experience, 11B with CIB and Purple Heart spent 15 months in Iraq with 1st Armored Division in 2003-2004... you are not alone in that this hobby is very therapeutic. I feel you about VA doctors, mine felt the same way but they no longer know I smoke at all.

 

[brut666]

????
I find it therapeutic as well and I'm found of cleaning things for relaxation purpose.

 

[ChuckMijo]

First thank you very much for your service!!!! I do find it relaxing and maybe we all need a few minutes to feel that.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Welcome aboard.

Completely different scenario, but I find all the elements involved with pipes to provide the much needed reprieve from a busy household with 3 preschoolers...the things you learn at 2am.

Dave

 

[Old School 3319]

There are several vets on here and most of us who have served find the practice of smoking cleaning and organizing pipes very relaxing. You are not the first to voice this. It is a great way to keep those demons at bay

 

[FurCoat]

Thank you for your service and welcome from North Carolina

 

[SoddenJack]

Former 68W here. Although I can’t speak about PTSD personally, I can totally relate with the calming relaxing aspect of the hobby. For me I’d guess it has something to do with the ritual (preparing your tobacco, selecting your pipe, loading the bowl, the lighting, the smoking, the cleaning) and the intentionality or aboutness of smoking a pipe. It’s not a light and forget it like cigarettes. Your nurturing the flame, tampering, making mental notes about the flavor and quality of the smoke. Plus, I only smoke at night when the wife and kids are in bed, so for me it’s looking forward to and signaling the end of the day.

On another note, I’m glad your getting some professional mental health care and hopefully it’s helping. I’ve know a bunch of great NCOs I looked up to and guys I’ve served with take their own lives.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Thanks for your service. Pipe smoking is definitely calming, and it’s not even the nicotine. Even a very low nic blend will calm me down. I think it’s the breathing. Kind of like meditation, but with better flavors and smells ? Only pipe smoking does that for me though. I like cigars. and I used to chew and dip, but none of those relax me like a porch swing and a pipe.

 

[GilGalad65]

Speaking from my experience, 11B with CIB and Purple Heart spent 15 months in Iraq with 1st Armored Division in 2003-2004... you are not alone in that this hobby is very therapeutic. I feel you about VA doctors, mine felt the same way but they no longer know I smoke at all.

Thanks brother no special honors for us, we escorted tankers 1985-1989 so no awards outside wartime, but I know many of us tin can sailors deserve some for our untold battles in the gulf of Hormuz.

 

[GilGalad65]

Welcome aboard.

Completely different scenario, but I find all the elements involved with pipes to provide the much needed reprieve from a busy household with 3 preschoolers...the things you learn at 2am.

Dave

Got 4 kids (2 twins) and 2 grandsons. Understand completely.

 

[GilGalad65]

Former 68W here. Although I can’t speak about PTSD personally, I can totally relate with the calming relaxing aspect of the hobby. For me I’d guess it has something to do with the ritual (preparing your tobacco, selecting your pipe, loading the bowl, the lighting, the smoking, the cleaning) and the intentionality or aboutness of smoking a pipe. It’s not a light and forget it like cigarettes. Your nurturing the flame, tampering, making mental notes about the flavor and quality of the smoke. Plus, I only smoke at night when the wife and kids are in bed, so for me it’s looking forward to and signaling the end of the day.

On another note, I’m glad your getting some professional mental health care and hopefully it’s helping. I’ve know a bunch of great NCOs I looked up to and guys I’ve served with take their own lives.

Thank you brother and yes, therapy is needed. Lost 4 shipmates to suicide and many to substance abuse. As I said in another reply we did 2 tours escorting tankers, but because it was prior to gulf War many got denied help they needed

 

[prairiedruid]

Thank you for your service. I find the ritual of loading and smoking a pipe helps slow me down. It aids in keeping the anxiety and depression gremlins at bay.

 

[Jacob74]

Yes, taking up pipe smoking has been good for me in terms of bad dreams and inappropriate anger.
It's weird, when I was in I didn't smoke or chew, and rarely drank more than my 2 drinks (except for at grogs and hail and farewells).
Now I smoke a pipe and keep a bottle of the good stuff convenient for a nightcap. It's funny how the world turns! With the handle GilGalad, I've got to ask, have you tried a tin of capstan yet? Professor Tolkien's writing has been a part of my life long since before I went off to be a soldier, and is the main reason I decided to give the pipe a try.

 

[olkofri]

I'd tell them naturalistic doctors to get lost. Better with a pipe than on benzos.

Puff on!

 

[lochinvar]

Thank you for your service. I have no experience with PTSD, but I know pipe smoking can help to take your mind off your stress, definitely not a cure all, but a help. With so many little tasks you have to perform just to get the pipe ready to light, then to keep it smoking and the length of time it takes to empty your bowl, you can get lost in the process and get to calm. Also, if it helps you and your doctors are having a problem with it, piss on them, the goal is your mental health.

By the way, love the name. Mae govannen