nicotine question

[weiss1967]

I wonder if anybody uses nicotine in any way, either for weight loss or body building. I am reading some mixed info on nicotine from internet, but apparently general consensus is that nicotine is a strong boost drug in small dosages. Speeds up the metabolsm and suppress the apetite. I am not talking sigarette smoking, but patches or gum or good old Honduran hand-rolled cigars.

[ironwill2008]

Nicotine is both highly addictive and toxic. I can't imagine anyone using it for any good reason, but that's just me.


How would smoking "good old Honduran hand-rolled cigars" be any different from smoking cigarettes?

[m314]

I tried the patch and lozenges before, but I couldn't tolerate them. They made me feel sick even with small amounts. I've never been a smoker, so I never got used to it.

My girlfriend got an electronic cigarette (nicotine vaporizer) recently. I can tolerate that better. I haven't decided yet if I'll try using it for fat loss. It seems like it could get addictive fast.

[m314]

Nicotine is both highly addictive and toxic. I can't imagine anyone using it for any good reason, but that's just me.


How would smoking "good old Honduran hand-rolled cigars" be any different from smoking cigarettes?

It's addictive, but it's not supposed to be nearly as bad for you as smoking tobacco. People use it as a fat burner. The people who like it say it works better than ephedra / caffeine for fat loss. I can't confirm that myself.

[KeithTheSnake]

I smoked pretty much non-stop from my second term in law school to this year. I had no energy, and every time I had a cold I couldn't seem to kick it. I quit smoking using nicotine gum for a week. I couldn't stand that gum. It made me jittery and a little sick. Took me a week to burn through a 20-pack of the stuff. Turned to sugar-free gum and candies. Now, all's well.

I wouldn't think that there's much of a benefit to using nicotine as a diet aid. I can tell you, though, without equivocation that quitting smoking is the second-best thing I've done for myself. Picking up a barbell is the best thing.

[m314]

Congrats on quitting smoking. You're right, it's one of the best things you can do to improve your health. I bet using nicotine as a fat burner would be risky for a former smoker. It would make it easier to get back into smoking, which was hard enough to quit in the first place.

[Caesura75]

I can't help but find it a little bit sad and concerning that people are prepared to turn to highly addictive substances to aid fat loss. There comes a point when a healthy hobby becomes an unhealthy obsession.

If you really wanted to open a debate, it could be suggested that there's little difference between that and taking the 'juice'. Both are drugs, and both are used to enhance performance/appearance.

[weiss1967]

thank you for replies, folks, very good opinions. I am former smoker myself, and can confirm that quitting smoking was a very big deal and achievement on a personal level. I am sigarette-free for 14 years. But very occasionally I enjoy smoking cigars, I am talking once a year thing. No inhalation, just puffing smoke. I get a good buzz from these small dosages of nicotine ingested through gums, lasting couple hours at least. Recently was on vacation in Honduras and bought some cigars as a present to a good friend of mine who is a cigarette smoker. Also, tried working out yesterday "under influence", I must say boost is very strong from smoking just a quarter of a smaller cigar. Hence is the question to those who knows, those who tried something similar like gum or patch.

M314, you are absolutely right about ephedra, my ex GF was using and rigorously promoting it, after trying just once I can say it is something not for me. Altogether I don't use any pre-workout supplements, but then, a lot of people do and I am open for ideas. Some epic times puffing smoke on the porch looked like better idea, better then mixing another one of "somethnig" from plastic jar with the name I can't pronounce.

[BalhamBeast]

I use nicotine gum, mostly as an appetite suppressant when dieting. I smoked in my early life but quit before I turned 30 and have no desire to pick up that habit again.

Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor and can increase blood pressure so it's not something to use if you have problems in that area (my blood pressure is on the low side).

It also helps block the oestrogen receptors so for pear-shaped women, like myself, it can be useful in the war against lower body fat (that's fat on the lower body, not lowering body fat, though, well, it may help with both, heh). Of course it won't help that much if you have a bad diet... but that goes without saying.

[kittyboy]

I'm certain crystal meth is a better appetite suppressant than nicotine. Why half-ass it if you're going to poison yourself with a highly addictive substance?

[Amstat]

I'm certain crystal meth is a better appetite suppressant than nicotine. Why half-ass it if you're going to poison yourself with a highly addictive substance?

Agreed! Some Blue Sky would do wonders for your fat loss.

[m314]

I'm certain crystal meth is a better appetite suppressant than nicotine. Why half-ass it if you're going to poison yourself with a highly addictive substance?

Everyone knows it's a bad idea now, but doctors used to prescribe methamphetamine for weight loss. Now it's only prescribed for narcolepsy or ADD.

[m314]

I can't help but find it a little bit sad and concerning that people are prepared to turn to highly addictive substances to aid fat loss. There comes a point when a healthy hobby becomes an unhealthy obsession.

If you really wanted to open a debate, it could be suggested that there's little difference between that and taking the 'juice'. Both are drugs, and both are used to enhance performance/appearance.

They're both performance enhancing drugs, but nicotine is legal and available everywhere. People take much more dangerous things for fat loss. We're not allowed to discuss those here.

Lots of people routinely do something much worse than using nicotine for fat loss. Cigarettes are available at every gas station and grocery store wherever you go, and people are free to smoke if they choose to. I'll take my unhealthy obsession over that.

[TrenBarber]

Don't mess with it. it'll kill ya faster than insulin

[JRT6]

There was an article on t-nation about dosing the patch or gum so you won't become addicted. That being said I agree that using nicotine is no different from using anything else with similar risk/reward. The last thing I need is another addiction to be recovering from though.

[.pumpingiron]

I stopped smoking 15 years ago using nicotine gum

I have been addicted to nicotine gum for 15 years

The nicotine gum is highly addictive....I wish I could quit...I have significant withdrawal symptoms if I don't have nicotine gum

I wish I would of never of chewed a piece, but here I am 15 years later, chewing 12 pieces of day

[dunemonkey]

It sounds like you already know from past experience how addictive nicotine is. Do you really think adding an addiction back into your life as a weight management tool is a good idea? Then you'll get to manage that addiction again and maybe, just maybe, go through the pain of quitting it again down the road. Unless you just accept the addiction at that point because now you've built in a justification for it. Sorry, man, but I just can't really sugarcoat or be objective about this subject. A really bad idea, IMO.

[dunemonkey]

I stopped smoking 15 years ago using nicotine gum

I have been addicted to nicotine gum for 15 years

The nicotine gum is highly addictive....I wish I could quit...I have significant withdrawal symptoms if I don't have nicotine gum

I wish I would of never of chewed a piece, but here I am 15 years later, chewing 12 pieces of day

Everyone who has a nicotine addiction has significant withdrawal symptoms if they cease to ingest nicotine. Nicotine [gum/cigarettes/cigars/chewing tobacco/patches/lozenges/suppositories...) is highly addictive. The delivery method is irrelevant.

[MichaelCJ]

Calories in <-> calories out. Keep it simple.

Maybe have a coffee as a pre-WO if you're feeling frisky and a bit daring, eh?

[drudixon]

Quitting sucks. Look elsewhere for solutions.

[m314]

Calories in <-> calories out. Keep it simple.

Yeah, but cutting that way is so unpleasant. The fat used to melt away with zero effort when I used ephedrine. Without a fat burner I just crave food all the time.

Then again I ran into major physical withdrawal when I stayed on ephedrine too long and quit. I don't want to get burned out on stimulants again. Nicotine wouldn't cause stim burnout, but I don't need an addiction like that in my life. It would be too easy to get hooked on my girlfriend's e cig. It's convenient and easy to use, it tastes nice, it feels nice, and the nicotine e juice stuff is cheap. I don't think I'll use it again.

[induced_drag]

Yeah, but cutting that way is so unpleasant. The fat used to melt away with zero effort when I used ephedrine. Without a fat burner I just crave food all the time.

Then again I ran into major physical withdrawal when I stayed on ephedrine too long and quit. I don't want to get burned out on stimulants again. Nicotine wouldn't cause stim burnout, but I don't need an addiction like that in my life. It would be too easy to get hooked on my girlfriend's e cig. It's convenient and easy to use, it tastes nice, it feels nice, and the nicotine e juice stuff is cheap. I don't think I'll use it again.

I had read about nicotine for use in cutting. I have always had good luck with EC and never tried it. I dont really think there is a stim burnout as you say, but your body compensates. By the 6thor 7th week, I can take a full ec dose and actually take a nap. Stinks because I actually like the kick...but that wears off. Studies in humans show that although the stim effects wear off, EC actually becomes more effective over time.

For these reasons, (and the addictive properties of nicotine mentioned) I never messed with trying nicotine.

[bmccurdy]

I used the patches when I was quitting smoking; for about the first 30 minutes after putting it on, that body part would feel like a mack truck just hit it. If anyone is thinking of using a patch for any reason, you may want to get strategic with placement and get an idea of how the transdermal patch will affect the muscle its sitting on top of before heading to the gym to pick up something heavy.


Personally, as an ex-smoker I would never knowingly use a product with nicotine in it....took too damn long to kick the habit the first time around.

[m314]

I had read about nicotine for use in cutting. I have always had good luck with EC and never tried it. I dont really think there is a stim burnout as you say, but your body compensates. By the 6thor 7th week, I can take a full ec dose and actually take a nap. Stinks because I actually like the kick...but that wears off. Studies in humans show that although the stim effects wear off, EC actually becomes more effective over time.

For these reasons, (and the addictive properties of nicotine mentioned) I never messed with trying nicotine.

Stim burnout (commonly called "adrenal fatigue", even if it doesn't involve the adrenal glands) is real for some people. By the time I'd reach the "burnout" phase, I had some withdrawal coming if I quit. I used ephedrine off and on for years. If I took it daily for a year and then quit, I'd crash in a major way. Just getting out of bed felt like a major task. Coffee and energy drinks felt like nothing at the time. It's similar to amphetamine withdrawal. I've been through both.

I still have some ephedrine here, and I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad for a short cycle as part of a cut. I just don't want to get started on it again. I'd love to have something that has the same benefits but no side effects.

[DesertDude11]

OK, I can't let this go on any longer....

Using Nicotine for ANYTHING other than killing insects (see Black Flag, the pesticide not the band) is the #1 Most stupid thing I have EVER seen on this board. Or any other board. Ever. Ever ever.

Especially coming from you OP!!

I started smoking when I was in 7th grade and managed to quit almost 2 years ago. Sure my metabolism took a MAJOR hit and cutting has been a B!TCH but to imagine going back to that living hell of addiction in any way shape or form is absolutely insane.

I have also heard of people quitting smoking by chewing the gum (like .pumpingiron) and getting MORE addicted to nicotine.

Get some Jack3d and call it a day. Some bee's hives just don't need to be messed with.

[induced_drag]

Stim burnout (commonly called "adrenal fatigue", even if it doesn't involve the adrenal glands) is real for some people. By the time I'd reach the "burnout" phase, I had some withdrawal coming if I quit. I used ephedrine off and on for years. If I took it daily for a year and then quit, I'd crash in a major way. Just getting out of bed felt like a major task. Coffee and energy drinks felt like nothing at the time. It's similar to amphetamine withdrawal. I've been through both.

I still have some ephedrine here, and I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad for a short cycle as part of a cut. I just don't want to get started on it again. I'd love to have something that has the same benefits but no side effects.

I guess we are all different. For me, I dont get any withdrawal from ephedrine. The caffeine I do need to ween off. I made the mistake of just stopping the "C" after running ec for a while. MAN...the headaches were terrible. I have learned to taper my caffeine consumption down after running EC for a while.

As for an alternative.....there are actually a few. One works (supposedly as I have never done it) works MUCH better. We are of course talking beta2 activists. While there is a very famous one that is used in horses, this is not for human consumption and considered dangerous. There is a second one which is used in humans and well tested. It's half life is much shorter then the 32 hr horse version and much longer then the 4 hour Ephedrine. Only problem, is you would have to be an asthmatic to get it It comes without the crazy stim sides as well.

[m314]

I guess we are all different. For me, I dont get any withdrawal from ephedrine. The caffeine I do need to ween off. I made the mistake of just stopping the "C" after running ec for a while. MAN...the headaches were terrible. I have learned to taper my caffeine consumption down after running EC for a while.

As for an alternative.....there are actually a few. One works (supposedly as I have never done it) works MUCH better. We are of course talking beta2 activists. While there is a very famous one that is used in horses, this is not for human consumption and considered dangerous. There is a second one which is used in humans and well tested. It's half life is much shorter then the 32 hr horse version and much longer then the 4 hour Ephedrine. Only problem, is you would have to be an asthmatic to get it It comes without the crazy stim sides as well.

I agree about the caffeine. That's the one real addiction in my life. I've cut back at times, but it's hard to quit when it's everywhere. The free coffee and energy drinks at work are hard to resist. I justify it by the fact that it's relatively harmless (except when you're going through withdrawal).

It's funny, but I know exactly what you're talking about. I've tried both, but they make me uncomfortable. I never used them for long because of the way they made me feel.

Desert Dude, I'm not disputing your claims about nicotine. The stupidest thing you've seen on any board ever? You must not read the same boards I do. People ingest unbelievably risky substances in the name of fat loss. Some take substances that have a high risk of permanent damage or death just so they can drop a few pounds quickly.

[DesertDude11]

Desert Dude, I'm not disputing your claims about nicotine. The stupidest thing you've seen on any board ever? You must not read the same boards I do. People ingest unbelievably risky substances in the name of fat loss. Some take substances that have a high risk of permanent damage or death just so they can drop a few pounds quickly.

Knowing the HELL I went through to quit smoking, the insidiously destructive nature of nicotine addiction and the negative side effects of nicotine on your cardio-vascular system, all for a small potential upside, I would still say yes: risk vs. reward, Nicotine as a weightloss supplement ='s dumbest thing evar!

I would be more inclined to use heroin as a post workout cool-down supplement...

[m314]

Knowing the HELL I went through to quit smoking, the insidiously destructive nature of nicotine addiction and the negative side effects of nicotine on your cardio-vascular system, all for a small potential upside, I would still say yes: risk vs. reward, Nicotine as a weightloss supplement ='s dumbest thing evar!

I would be more inclined to use heroin as a post workout cool-down supplement...

Lol. I usually stick with Muscle Milk post workout. Heroin works better the next day to help alleviate muscle soreness. Not srs.

[induced_drag]

... I would still say yes: risk vs. reward, Nicotine as a weightloss supplement ='s dumbest thing evar!
..)

Do a little research on DNP..(still widely used).. After that, you might say (in comparison) Nicotine is a GREAT safe choice.