Nope- never plan to start either - I just thinks its disgusting (my opinion)

Neither of which reduce anxiety or cause you to relax. Fortunately, nicotine doesn't actually increase dopamine and serotonin levels in your brain - it only increases your sensitivity to it. If it DID increase dopamine and serotonin levels, it would be more comparable to cocaine and methamphetamine - both of which increase dopamine and serotonin levels by preventing their uptake.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome (too much serotonin):
-Agitation or restlessness
-Diarrhea
-Fast heart beat
-Hallucinations
-Increased body temperature
-Loss of coordination
-Nausea
-Overactive reflexes
-Rapid changes in blood pressure
-Vomiting

Notice how these are all characteristic of increased anxiety - not decreased anxiety. The reason why people think that a stimulant drug causes them to "relax" is because taking the drug is the best way to relieve withdrawal symptoms.

Trust me, it isn't the nicotine that causes you to relax, it's the taking a break for 5 minutes at regular intervals every day that does it.

My father smokes and my boyfriend does too. I dont smoke cigarettes, but i do still smoke weed every now and then to relieve pain. When im 18 ill be on medical marijuana because i have arthitis, chronic pain, and joint damage from sports.

Unless it's referring to a certain type of torture that uses the same acronym, I think this "CBT" is cognitive-behavioral therapy, a short-term structured therapy targeting specific conditions such as anxiety. I hope I can explain it OK and not lead you astray. It's supposed to work on the premise that a person sizes up a situation based on their thoughts and visual images, but those constructs or assumptions may be faulty, such as assuming "I will fail." The therapy hopes to correct these faulty automatic constructs by identifying and testing them. It is generally done by mental health professionals, may be individual or group therapy, and may or may not include a recommendation for medication. So you can't completely avoid the shrinks. And it frequently involves..."homework" (gasp). Some people do go at it alone using a manual like The Feeling Good Handbook that you can get at a regular bookstore. Just overlook the *cough* cheesy title.

I like to ski, hike trails, swim, and run.

Would I want to fuck up my lungs by smoking? Hell no.

What does serotonin syndrome have to do with anything? You realize that is rather difficult to achieve with cigarettes, right? Now, if you dex every day for the next week -- enjoy your serotonin syndrome. But saying that you'll get those symptoms every time you smoke is just plain false. The fact that it modules dopamine causes pleasurable feelings, which itself is something that is relaxing, in the same way I'd say that I "relax" at an action movie or on a roller-coaster. Having your CNS slow down a bit is a rather shallow definition of relax.

I apologize, I was not attempting to argue that you could get serotonin syndrome from smoking. I was merely trying to show that raising serotonin levels does the opposite of relaxing you. Just because a drug makes you feel good doesn't mean that it is causing you to relax or reduce anxiety. Likewise just because a drug makes you feel bad doesn't mean that it ISN'T causing you to relax or reduce anxiety (an example of this is Thorazine).

Yea I smoke. I started when i was 10 cause my gangster cousion gave me a weed smoke. ever since i would smoke cigarettes usually but not usual. yea i do smoke weed too

Thank you very much.

The problem with shrinks is that each one has their own training and ideas on how to go about "treating" you. Still there are good ones ... that cost a lot of money. I wouldn't mind the homework at all to be honest.

I think I will check out that book .... never would have bought a book with that title tbh. lol

Anyways, thanks for taking the time to respond and help out a guy out that you don't even know.


as for the forum topic
Smoking was good for me while I was quitting ... other stuff ........ but I think now is a good time to quit. Still I do find it annoying when people go around sanctimoniously claiming how bad smoking is and then shove a burger down their throat LOL

started smoking weed first but it eventually led to cigs when I was 15 off and on.
Really picked up when I went to college tho. I know a lot of people don't like it so I try not to smoke around people who aren't, which isn't usually a problem because most of my friends smoke.
I've cut down a lot tho and smoke a lot less than I used to.

tried smoking for a week, couldn't stop until my mom found out and took all me money :)) so i quited

No ... nothing good about smoking

i dont smoke..and will never smoke...

uhm..no offence..but the smell makes me vomit..and have a headache..so, i stay away from smokers..usually..or i try to avoid stuff lyk that...

yeah..if my lover smokes, ill try to make him stop..or at least, NOT smoke in front of me..:)

I smoked since i was 14 and i quit a bit over 4 months ago and i have to say it has felt great. Can't really say why i started i guess it was one of those stupid thing you do when your young

No. I don't think I'll ever smoke. I hate the smell. I remember when I used to pass by a street full of smokers and some of them would blow smoke right at you. I think they think they're cool doing that. This one girl did just that and I covered my nose and I think she was offended and told her friend "*Friend's name* Stop me or I'm gonna burn this girl." I ignored her but inside I was like "Wtf? Why is she the one getting pissed off?" since I've read that secondhand smoke deals more damage than firsthand.

I wouldn't really mind if people smoked. It's not like they'll really stop if I tell them to stop. Just don't do it in front of me.