to be startled by the 'high' from a couple of drags of a menthol cigarette?

[Barrelofloves]

I'm 45 so old to be doing this for the first time, but I took a couple of puffs from an ordinary cigarette and found it gave me some kind of high.

I'm not the type to want to do more than that (any more than half a cigarette makes me feel sick)but could I ask some advice please?

1. What is this 'high' caused by?

1. What toxins are released?

1. Is there any long term damage from this amount of nicotine once or twice a day?

Please don't lecture me about becoming addicted etc, I would just like the facts, thanks, as I quite enjoyed this 'high'.

This amount of nicotine can't be dangerous can it?

Sorry for sounding so ignorant and naiive.

[wasabipeas]

I presume the 'high' you describe is feeling a bit light headed and fuzzy?
If so, it is nothing more than lack of oxygen to the brain - just like you feel light headed and fuzzy when you stand up too fast
Nicotine takes a few minutes to get into the blood and therefore to the brain receptors, so it is unlikely to be that. If you think it is, try some nicotine come and compare that 'high' to the one you experienced from the cigarette
The nicotine is unlikely to damage you, but the tar and other chemicals within the cigarette aren't going to be doing you any favours...

[Barrelofloves]

Really?

I found that I did not get the 'high' unless I had not eaten beforehand. It was a definite rush but unlike the feeling you get when you stand up to fast.

I am fit and run regularly so obviously am not interested in tarring up my lungs but surely this small amount can't be damaging?

I am uninterested in drug taking etc as even caffeine in coffee makes me feel queasy. But I am interested in this 'rush' if it's not the nicotine doing it. It really is a 'whoosh' and as I'm otherwise very healthy I want to experience it again. (But no more than the stated amount)

[GreensleevesFlouncedLikeAKnob]

Nicotine come??

where can I get some?

[wasabipeas]

gum, obv
How freudian

[CurlyQueen]

It sounds like you're thinking 'ooh, I could do this a little bit'. You can't. Your body gets accustomed to nicotine, so you need more and more to get the same effect, and eventually you need nicotine just to combat the withdrawal symptoms without even geting any 'high'.

As wasabi said, it might just be lack of oxygen, but if it is a nicotine high it's nt something you can repeat very often without the effect being dulled.

[passionberry]

You probably don't want to hear this but that's how everyone starts a serious smoking habit! You do get a "high" from the nicotine initially but your body will get used to it very quickly as CurlyQueen said below.

[TeamMamaG]

ROFL at nicotine come

I've heard of curry come but not nicotine come!!

[sweetnitanitro]

As CurlyQueen said, it is from not being used to nicotine. I used to smoke and I only used to get the high feeling very occasionally when I had a smoke after not having had a ciggie for a while. I am a smug ex-smoker now.

[willali]

I cannot beleive that a presumably intelligent 45 year old woman is actively contemplating taking up smoking.

"Oh but it is just a little bit..." - GET REAL

Ask yourself why is it that smoking is now banned in public places, why tobacco products will soon be put under the counter in shops, and why we have to pay up to 50% tax to fund the NHS full of people with life threatening illnesses caused by smoking.

We as a sociery have known sonce the 1950's that smoking is actively detrimental to health - yours and - we now know - those around you.

As others have said it will not stay at being a couple of puffs here and there

I think you should ask yourself why is it you crave this so called "high" in the first place and treat that issue instaed of starting smoking

[Barrelofloves]

Well Willali I'm actually as aghast as you. But that is not the issue. If as has been stated, you only get that rush from being unused to nicotine then surely it's up to the strong willed individual not to let it get to be a habit.

After all, why would you want to make it a habit if you only got a 'rush' from experiencing it infrequently?

I thought it was an unusual 'naughty' experience (I am a non smoker in the eyes of everyone but MNers )and it doesn't sound as if it's that poisonous from the amount I'm talking about.

I don't live in London but I bet the amount of Carbon Monoxide inhaled by any one living there would far exceed my 2 puffs of a Menthol cigarette! (Have been smoking on my compost heap as the smoke temporarily inhibits the flies).

Anyway I've never done anything naughty in my life, never had an affair, etc I just enjoy the deviousness of it all with my secret stash (packet)hidden away by the garden shed, knowing full well it's taboo.

[colditz]

STOP
STOP
STOP
STOP
STOP
STOP
STOP!

are you fucking mad? DO you know how hardandhow miserable it is to quit? It's like bloody heroin, you start because it's illicit, naughty and gets you a bit high and you're bored, you carry opn because you are ADDICTED. It's adrug more powerfully addictive than most class A's.

I'm not advocating baking hash brownies, of course, but don't you think abatch of those once a month would be 'naughtier" and far far less damaging than what you are doing now?

I'll try to give you some perspective..... I have watched an extremely fastidious 23 year old girl, who would not remover her shoes on grass, or use herfriend's 'hair towel', or share make up, go through an old ashtray looking for dog ends because she had run out of cigarettes and hadn't had one for 10 hours. THAT'S how addictive nicotene is.

[Tidey]

I know someone who used to switch from ordinary to menthol cigarettes when she had a cold, like using Vicks or something. Loopy.

[fishie]

yes i am rather shocked at the idea of menthol somehow making it harmless. op, that high was the best you'll ever get from a fag, you will never recreate it so put it out of your mind.

if you want an alternative naughty shed pursuit i am sure we can come up with something.

[CybilLiberty]

Barrel, I'm with you. I've been craving Menthol cigarettes for a while now but havent smoked for about 23 years. I fancy the thought of a cold glass of wine and a fag

[Tidey]

Yes, re-pot all the geraniums instead.

[Barrelofloves]

Apparently I have opium poppies growing in my garden...Do I dry the seeds to get the resin?

[willali]

BL - you don't see to be taking these warnings entirely seriously

you will get addicted if you cary on - studies have shown it only takes 3 cigs to become a regular smoker

Think of the money

Think how badly you will smell

PLEASE think again

[Overmydeadbody]

Barrel you make tea with the poppy heads.

But don't bother, it is vile.

[Overmydeadbody]

wallali is right.

It doesn't take much to become addicted. The high will soon disapear altogether.

[WowOoo]

Haven't read it all but you are being naive.

You're already addicted as your nicotene receptors are telling you that one more little puff ain't too bad. RESIST!

Ex smoker whho would really really lecture you loudly if you want...

[TeenageWildlife]

Well, you are obviously different to everyone else in the world. you are experiencing the very thoughts and actions that most smokers begin with. Either smoke or don't smoke but don't lie to yourself and us that you are different, because you are not.

[Barrelofloves]

I find Mning more addictive.

The packet of menthols has lasted me 6 months already as all I do is take enough to get the high then I think that's enough because I nearly fall over with the 'whoosh'.

It even makes my fingers tingle. I don't do it everyday, just now and then.

[willali]

Barrel - please at least acknowledge all the various points raised to you about where this may get to - from people who care (based on experience) that you do not carry on this ridiculous foray into so-called naughtiness......

[Barrelofloves]

Ok, thank you and yes, I will stop because I've had the experience now and actually there is a fine line from being a rush and making me feel ill.

Also, I dislike the smell on my fingers and the taste in my mouth after so I have to scrub my face, hands and clean my teeth and tongue vigorously after which is a pain.

How regular smokers get past that stage I don't know. Anyway, thanks for listening.

Picked raspberries instead of musing what to do with the poppies too..