Harmful effects of nicotine

Ralff · 10-27-2009, 12:28 PM

I used the search function but I could not find any relevant threads on the subject. Hopefully I'm not just a failure at search.

I am curious about the harmful effects nicotine can have on one's cardio or other athletic abilities. I recently quit dipping and started using nicotine gum. It has helped immensely in quitting tobacco mostly from the fact that I still get a shot of nicotine while having something in my mouth to chew on at the same time. However, I do notice an increase in my heart rate while chewing the gum. I know that there is no benefit from nicotine, but is it necessarily bad? If so, how bad? Every article I can find only talks about how bad smoking is which does not apply.

Flexwave2003 · 10-27-2009, 01:03 PM

I smoked for 10 years, a pack a day at my peak. Woke up one day and decided to do something about it. Took a few gradual steps, other than cold turkey right then and there. Two years smoke free now.

**Cap'n** · 10-27-2009, 01:41 PM

Nicotine is a stimulant. Which would explain the raised heart rate.

Or you're dying. Either one.

dominant182 · 10-27-2009, 02:53 PM

My father dipped for about 13 years stopped for a pretty long time. Then he started up again and did it for about another 6 or 7 years, until quiting last year. Some time while he was doing it he would have some in while lifting, on those days he said that he felt weaker than others. I'm not sure if it was because of the dip, but when he had it in was when he seemed to have the problem.

EndoGlo · 10-27-2009, 04:23 PM

Learn the facts not opinions.

Quote:

There is growing concern that long-term use of nicotine may contribute to cancer. It also affects how our bodies function -- nicotine puts stress on the heart and increases blood pressure.

The Journal of the American College of Cardiology has reported that nicotine harms the linings of our arteries which leads to the build-up of plaque, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Additionally, nicotine suppresses insulin output creating a hyperglycemic condition in smokers. The bottom line is that nicotine is a poison, and the human body is much better off without it.

That was from a quit smoking site. It's over the discussion of whether or not the gum is good for you and people becoming dependant on the gum. Keep in mind, nicotine is still an insecticide which promotes cancer.

I just quit smoking a month ago. I smoked for about 7 years, averaging a pack a day for at least 5 years. I still fight with it. Hell I had a couple this weekend with a buddy of mine. However, my attempt is not futile and it's going well. If I have one it actually helps with the process. Say I have one on Saturday, but none for the rest of the week until next saturday. It shows me that I control what happens, not the urges.

My advice as a recovering moron; do what you need to and then call it quits. Don't allow yourself to make stupid excuses. If you ever listen to a smoker who is trying to quit, you'll realize how pathetic they sound. That's what helped me quit, I'm not weak. I had to remind myself that, as I've failed about 100+ times trying to quit. Make yourself find joy in being tobacco free. Give yourself a reason to be tobacco free, like your overall health. Being in shape with excellent endurance, stamina and possibly power.

I guess what I'm saying is... quit being a little bitch. That's what it took me to quit. I know, it doesn't sound like much but I've been trying to quit ever since I started. Drop the gum too. I've failed miserably at cold turkey for years. I've failed with gum, I've failed with the patch. What makes you quit, is you. You'll quit when you're ready to man up and face the music.... the first couple weeks are going to suck.

Rowan11088 · 10-27-2009, 04:42 PM

I was asking this same question last year, when I was still dipping. I can say for a fact that my energy levels and workouts are much better now, after quitting. I don't think it really affects cardio per se, but it DEFINITELY affects recovery on a fundamental level. However, how much of that is the nicotine and how much is just the cocktail of chemicals in dip, I couldn't tell you.

The important thing is you stay off the dip, nicotine gum is by far the lesser of two evils. Don't worry about it too much until you've definitely, completely kicked the dip habit. You'll probably slowly decrease your use of the gum anyway.

EndoGlo · 10-27-2009, 04:52 PM

The gum actually has a higher concentration of nicotine, by far. It is technically the lesser of two evils, but never under mind it's harmfulness.

ooitzoo · 10-27-2009, 04:55 PM

The gum and the patch are like literally smoking an entire pack in one sitting. Its definitely a dangerous proposition (saying this as someone who has tried both.) I nearly had a seizure because of the patch.

Best to quit cold

FFJC805 · 10-28-2009, 01:11 PM

i dunno man, ive started dippin again, and i dont really notice any changes. not like its good for you at all, dont do it, but i havent felt as though starting up again changed my performance

EndoGlo · 10-28-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ooitzoo

The gum and the patch are like literally smoking an entire pack in one sitting. Its definitely a dangerous proposition (saying this as someone who has tried both.) I nearly had a seizure because of the patch.

Best to quit cold

+1 either that or lean yourself off. My suggestion is above, basically stating to quit making excuses of why you need them. Trust me, I was pretty heavily addicted. I tried to quit so many times, I broke so many promises, and every time I'd say ok well I'll smoke this pack and then I'm done... it never happened.

I fucked up last night and bought a pack. I crushed (literally, smoosh) them this morning. I'm going through a hard time in my life. Sometimes it causes me to break down, but it's no excuse to smoke. In the end of the day, I just have to face that my problems are still there, I'm just $7 shorter than I was before.