using nicotine to reduce anxiety

[Anotheremptynester]

I know this is a strange form of self medication, but nothing else seems to work. I have been struggling with anxiety for a while now and dont want to take meds. However at 50 years old I realise if I smoke cigarettes the nicotine calms me down. I'm not talking 30 a day, just a few sitting with a cup of tea. My husband isnt happy and said I should at least try vaping, but they seem a foreign world. has anyone else taken up smoking late on in life?

Can’t you chew the chewing gum ?

I have never tried it. Does it feel the same?

Nicotine doesn't calm you down if you dont smoke. You get extra stressed from cravings and a cigarette takes that away it wouldn't relax you from anything else

I think taking up smoking or vaping late in life is madness.

I started smoking when I was 14 and carried on for the next 25 years (taking a couple of breaks for pregnancy and breastfeeding). Then I switched to vaping which I still do now.

I’ve been addicted to nicotine for over 30 years. I’ve also been an incredibly anxious person for most of my life. Nicotine feels like it helps, in the moment, but it actually doesn’t help. It’s a stimulant- stimulants are not what you need when you’re anxious. All you’re doing every time you smoke (or vape) is consolidate your addiction to nicotine. Then when you are in a time or place where you can’t take on nicotine, the nicotine monster starts nagging and then anxiety increases.

Nicotine INCREASES anxiety. I strongly suggest you knock it on the head asap.

Nicotine is a stimulant, you may as well drink espressos all day. The reason smoking works is it alleviates the stress of nicotine withdrawal. They reckon it’s this, plus the deep breathing that we do with smoking that calms.

Take up deep breathing, better for your health.

Congrats you've discovered nicotine addiction in your 50s!

It's not nicotine that calms you down - it's the relief it gives you from the craving for nicotine that makes you think its calming you down.

There may also be a general dulling of sensation from nicotine the first time you have it, but the rest is just addiction.

Do not do it.

Have a green tea - it contains L-theanine which is very relaxing for the brain.