Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Nicotine (2016)

gwern.net

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

101–110 of 273 posts

Re: Nicotine (2016)

#101

Post by insanitybit »

pitched wrote: post #55
dijit wrote: post #32

After being on IRC for the best part of two decades (and the fringe groups who frequent the medium) I have seen the word “nootropics” banded about. The first time, I thought it was a fun idea but nothing I wanted, see; my brain is all I have so I dont much fancy experimenting with it- this is also why I avoided alcohol and coffee despite social pressures. The community that formed went away as quickly as it had been…

The best place to start is the Beginner’s Guide put together by the Nootropics subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/wiki/beginners/ TLDR: Your starting point is exercise, sleep and sunlight. Nothing after that really has as large of an effect.

> Nothing after that really has as large of an effect.

Most people would disagree - at least, anyone who drinks caffeine would.

Re: Nicotine (2016)

#102

Post by sieste »

thebigspacefuck wrote: post #57
mpreda wrote: post #41

I'm a non smoker, I never smoked. Once I decided to try a nicotine chewing gum, took one pillow and chewed it thoroughly. After about 5-10minutes I suffered some very very severe effects, including: I started sweating extremelly such that all my clothes become wet quickly and sweat was dripping down my nose, ears, and into my eyes. I felt an intense and urgent need to urinate and defecate, which luckily I could do on…

You’re supposed to chew it only until it tastes peppery then park it in your gum/cheek

Thanks for the PSA. One would think a 10,000 word article on the benefits of non-smoking nicotine use, with a dedicated section on health issues, might mention this important detail...

Re: Nicotine (2016)

#103

Post by insanitybit »

reactordev wrote: post #75
insanitybit wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That doesn't sound true.

Try it then. As someone who smoked and quit and have had friends who smoked and quit who also had heroin habits, they corroborate the difficulty. It’s a different type of struggle but the struggle is strong just the same.

I feel like I shouldn't have to try heroin to understand this. A solid paper on the topic would suffice.

Re: Nicotine (2016)

#104

Post by andygeorge »

thebigspacefuck wrote: post #94
jdorfman wrote: post #67

I was always fascinated by cigarettes and stole one when I was 10 and that was where my journey of addition to nicotine began. I now vape everyday and chew 2mg of gum if I’m on a plane or some other situation. I’ve tried to quit multiple times but I’m weak. I can go a few months but always get pulled back. IMO there are no benefits. If you never had nicotine and this link made you curious don’t. You will most likely…

Why do you get pulled back if there are no benefits?

addiction is wild

Re: Nicotine (2016)

#105

Post by octatrack »

I used to be a smoker, for a good decade. Then, switched to vaping for 3-4 years, which allowed me to taper down my nicotine use and quit completely.

This was about 5 years ago.

Recently, I’ve started using nicotine gum to increase focus while working. I usually use 1 mg, maximum 4 times a day. I typically begin taking it in the afternoon, my morning work sessions are usually nicotine-free. I have been using it on most days for about 3 months.

I have zero desire to smoke or vape. On days when I am not taking it, I don’t have a strong craving for the gum.

I’ve also quit caffeine a few days ago, with the intention to not use it for at least 3 months. I find that even low amounts of tea increases my anxiety to the point that it becomes difficult to focus. I’ve been very productive since I stopped caffeine. Mild withdrawal effects in the form of physical tiredness, but I am fine with the tradeoff for less anxiety.

I might have developed some level of physical dependency to nicotine, I’ll see it once I’ll do an extended break. For now, it’s the only dopamine-increasing substance I consume, and I’m fine with it.

Re: Nicotine (2016)

#106

Post by justsomehnguy »

insanitybit wrote: post #101
pitched wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The best place to start is the Beginner’s Guide put together by the Nootropics subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/wiki/beginners/ TLDR: Your starting point is exercise, sleep and sunlight. Nothing after that really has as large of an effect.

> Nothing after that really has as large of an effect. Most people would disagree - at least, anyone who drinks caffeine would.

Most people can't understand why they aren't feeling well after 1kg of pasta with meatballs.

I love caffeine and coffee, but if we are talking about well-feeling, 5 minute calistenics would make you feel better in 99% compared to a cup of sugar laden cappuccino

Re: Nicotine (2016)

#108

Post by yojo »

dijit wrote: post #32

After being on IRC for the best part of two decades (and the fringe groups who frequent the medium) I have seen the word “nootropics” banded about. The first time, I thought it was a fun idea but nothing I wanted, see; my brain is all I have so I dont much fancy experimenting with it- this is also why I avoided alcohol and coffee despite social pressures. The community that formed went away as quickly as it had been…

I think it is useful to draw a distinction between “new” nootropics and those with hundreds of years of demonstrated use.

While nicotine has not historically been used in isolation, it has been used both in recreation and religion settings for around 2000 years. Caffeine use is similar, perhaps older.

There’s still reason to be wary of higher dosages or new delivery routes, but it seems unlikely that dabbling in low-dose caffeine or nicotine use will make you go crazy, based on the mountain of historical evidence to the contrary.

Re: Nicotine (2016)

#109

Post by andygeorge »

dist-epoch wrote: post #51
rtpg wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Like… people do get addicted to caffeine right? I know people who drink a very large amount of coffee, who “can’t function” without it, and who generally seem to be in a pretty bad shape. The behavior of a certain segment of the population with regard to coffee looks a hell of a lot like the stereotypical addictions to drugs, including just ending up in bad shape. Totally anecdotal of course but “caffeine in large am…

Caffeine physiological addiction is very light. Withdrawal symptoms last about 2 days and are mild. > including just ending up in bad shape Not sure what you mean by that, I'm not aware of people ending up on the streets because of caffeine.

street price of coffee is a little lower than other drugs

Re: Nicotine (2016)

#110

Post by pasquinelli »

vik0 wrote: post #60
carlmr wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't caffeine a vasoconstrictor as well? Wouldn't that make coffee a silent killer?

I don't get how so many people like coffee. I've tried it maybe a handful of times in my life, getting the type that my friends said is great, and I've always found it to be reminiscent of dirty water, that is, water that has been contaminated with dirt. Why do so many people like it? My friends say they like the taste, but I don't believe them. I think it has to do with them being coerced into liking coffee at a you…

i can't taste cardamom. when i taste freshly ground cardamom it's like eting a pinch of sand.

maybe you have something like that going on with coffee.

i'll say i had no interest in coffee until i tried it in my early 30's and really enjoyed it, though i found the caffine too strong. now i drink it every day (smaller cups though.) point being, i wasn't made to like coffee at a young age, and i've liked it ever since i started drinking it.

Post reply on HN