Nicotine - How does it affect CNS and you?

Does anyone know how nicotine/smoking affects the nervous system while in post acute withdrawal? Yes, I know smoking is bad for your heath, but I'm wondering if it could be making post acute symptoms worse and how it affects the nervous system? Does anyone have experience or solid knowledge on this?

 

I smoked before withdrawal and haven't noticed it become problematic until recently when I started treating myself for candida. My liver is kinda overburdened so smoking only adds to that. Yay for liver support supplements.

I stop and start smoking all of the time. I want to stop, but find it hard to break the habit. Stressed. 

 

When do stop I find it makes a difference.  Feel better. Maybe this is just because stopping smoking does improve health?

 

But then I return to it because it offers me some miserable comfort. 

 

I have 3 cigarettes left and am going to give it another go because it does seem to help.

 

I don't know what the relationship between nicotine and withdrawal, but suspect there might be one.

 

 

It's apparently good for you in WD, as it raises GABA. But smoking reduces blood flow so it's a double edged sword.

 

"Researchers gave people who smoked regularly nicotine inhalers that deliver the same amount of the drug as in one cigarette. The amount of GABA in the subjects' brains rose about 10%, but the brain was found to make GABA four times faster after using the inhalers, and the rate of new GABA generation remained high for at least 45 minutes. In other words, keeping the supply of GABA levels high has the potential to reduce the pleasurable effects of smoking, in terms of duration and intensity."

https://www-news--medical-net.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.news-medical.net/amp/news/2007/12/10/33328.aspx?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16235070646401&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.news-medical.net%2Fnews%2F2007%2F12%2F10%2F33328.aspx

 

Nicotine actually releases glutamate.  I seriously doubt it has a huge effect on withdrawal.  I dip and don’t notice much effect.  Then again, I haven’t tried to quit.

The problem with cigarettes is not only nicotine but also the toxins which come with it when you inhale the smoke. You can do a research on pubmed or simply google that. I am sure you already know that by the way. If not, read the label on the package.

regarding nicotine if it is absorbed without anything else there have been found oxidative and antioxidative effects on human cells, however you do not know if your body can profit from the "good" effects or not since you do not know about your receptors and the cellular situation. In addition to that nicotine has been proven to change the microbiome and harm the health of your gut which is key for healing no matter from what in my opinion. As someone else mentioned nicotine also inhibits glutamate which is contraproductive in withdrawal and in my opinion in general.

I don't think I have to list all the side effects of smoking and how many deaths are a caused by these..

 

The fact you cannot just stop a habit should always make you wonder. And to use something in order to get rid of the other thing - well, ...

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=nicotine%20and%20nervous%20system

 

(a good site to search for answers instead of asking people what they think - or in addition to the answers you receive!)

Although nicotine might increase GABA, it does also increase glutamate. More importantly though, long-term it suppresses the formation of allopregnanolone in the brain. Since allopregnanolone is responsible for gaba-ergic tone, this leads to more long-term anxiety, depression and brain fog due to lower allo (I have many references, just not handy).

OK 😌

 

I'm heading toward the Quit team and have smoked my last 3 cigarettes. 

 

Today is the day.  I'll report back with results.

 

All I know is that it causes more deaths than does alcohol.  Disturbing. 

 

Wish me luck. 

Good luck, deadwood.  As miserable as getting off benzos has been, I have never had such thing as a benzo craving.  If I go a day without a dip, I start getting massive cravings.  If I’m able to stay busy, I don’t think about it as much.  Boredom is the enemy for me. 

It's apparently good for you in WD, as it raises GABA. But smoking reduces blood flow so it's a double edged sword.

 

"Researchers gave people who smoked regularly nicotine inhalers that deliver the same amount of the drug as in one cigarette. The amount of GABA in the subjects' brains rose about 10%, but the brain was found to make GABA four times faster after using the inhalers, and the rate of new GABA generation remained high for at least 45 minutes. In other words, keeping the supply of GABA levels high has the potential to reduce the pleasurable effects of smoking, in terms of duration and intensity."

https://www-news--medical-net.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.news-medical.net/amp/news/2007/12/10/33328.aspx?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16235070646401&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.news-medical.net%2Fnews%2F2007%2F12%2F10%2F33328.aspx

This is very true and proven to be the case. Nicotine helps WD. I smoke daily throughout the day. I try to limit how many because I plan on quitting after I'm healed a bit more. Every time I've tried reducing the amount I smoke, my symptoms become worse. isnt that interesting?

It has profound affects on many different t receptors and other cells.

It might be useful to some ppl in withdrawal esp for akathesia but might make others more ill.

There are papers on its use for akathesia and various other symptoms that arise from WD.

 

The papers on akathisia are specific to antipsychotic induced akathisia l, if I remember correctly, so may not apply to benzo wd.

Clarifying post - I am not providing medical advice. If you felt that I did, I apologize. Please check with you doctor on any medicine. I am not advising to do anything without the advice of your doctor.