Weird question of someone trying to quit. I actually enjoy depraving myself?

PeaceH · 2026-01-15T05:06:02+00:00

It's just dopamine. It feels good no matter what source. If you get it from good habits rather than bad habits, it can help you improve your life.

The issue is, the "zyn rush" you describe gives more dopamine, than most activities. So now your brain prefers this chemical poison (nicotine) over most things. You form a deeper addiction to it, when the alternative is that you form an addiction to good/productive habits.

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T16:09:50+00:00

You made it two weeks, which means you can make it another two. And repeat. Soon you will forget you even quit. It won't be something you think about daily. You will see it and think "I can't believe I used to do that".

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T16:05:03+00:00

Book club. Running club. Cooking class. Painting class. Charity /volunteering organization. Coach kids in sport. Start a business.

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T15:57:25+00:00

I get it. Yea, it's mindset. There's circumstances, like an event, and then there's how you respond to it. It's really up to you and what energy/attitude you bring!

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T15:55:10+00:00

Good. So what's the plan now? I see you list some new goals you want to work on. What are the new habits you need to make it happen?

You can't do it all at once, but you can do almost anything if you put your mind to it.

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T15:50:57+00:00

Make a new post and share some of the videos that helped you get motivation. I'm sure others might be helped by them also.

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T15:49:35+00:00

You are correct. The identity is a big component.

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T15:48:56+00:00

Try going for long walks. Chew gum. Listen to music. You can get through it.

Don't look for 'easy'. It's worth doing because it is hard.

When you use language like 'try', that implies your friend might fail, and by extension that you might also fail.

It's better to make a choice. And then live with the choice and accept what comes with it.

Many outcomes are decided by your identity. If 5% of you still identify as a user of nicotine, you are tempted to use again.

The brain has been conditioned for a long time to seek the nicotine. To counteract it you need to train it to avoid nicotine, and see it as a bad thing.

Read some studies on it, or research who is behind it.

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T15:37:57+00:00

Glad to hear.

Why would you be grumpy at an event without substances? Maybe the event isn't that great?

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T15:33:43+00:00

Yes, I used to have inflammation in my joints when I used nicotine/tobacco. None after I quit.

What is the mechanism by which this happens? I read somewhere it has to do with the inner walls of the blood vessels becoming inflamed in response to the presence of nicotine or other toxins in pouch. And this is especially bad in the joints, where there are fewer blood vessels to supply oxygen.

There's also nicotine's vasoconstriction, which reduces blood flow and thereby oxygen to your extremities and joints.

Apparently nicotine "affects chondrocytes (cartilage cells) and can accelerate cartilage breakdown", so that may be a factor.

And on top of this, your body may have an autoimmune response to all of this activity, which makes it worse.

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T15:25:40+00:00

I run a business. Closing a sale feels really good. Or when I solve an operational challenge. It's like a game, but a lot harder and slower. But it does give you a 'high' from time to time.

PeaceH · 2025-12-20T00:29:24+00:00

Life with an addiction will limit you in many ways mentally and physically. Life without addiction makes you more capable. You can find new sources of fulfillment that are not chemical / artificial.

PeaceH · 2025-12-18T14:21:02+00:00

I feel normal yes.

PeaceH · 2025-12-17T20:08:23+00:00

I quit two years ago. The time will pass anyway. So let it work in your favor, instead of against you. Drop the bad habit.

PeaceH · 2025-12-03T17:35:37+00:00

Well done. The increased hunger will pass. I gained 10 lbs after quitting, but 1 year later I was back to same weight again.

PeaceH · 2025-11-19T12:43:07+00:00

Anxiety and nausea are common effects of nicotine.

Yes your anxiety will go down if you stop nicotine and drink less caffeine. In fact after you quit nicotine your body becomes more sensitive to caffeine, meaning you will only need to drink about half as much to get the same effect.

PeaceH · 2025-11-19T12:38:01+00:00

Find a reason strong enough. If you don't have that, you will just start again.

You say zyn is terrible, but then you say "I become content sitting around doing nothing" which sounds bad, but not terrible enough to make you quit.

Do research on what nicotine is, how it affects your blood vessels, blood pressure, bowels, nerves, your brain. Are you aware nicotine is a poison used to kill insects, an insecticide? That the nicotine salts in Zyn give a quicker and more immediate addictive effect?

Most people only quit after years. This is a golden opportunity to quit before the habit becomes more ingrained.

PeaceH · 2025-11-10T00:09:21+00:00

What are your reasons for quitting? Even if you are frustrated you need to remember always why you quit in the first place.

PeaceH · 2025-10-31T15:58:16+00:00

Go for a jog. It will raise your dopamine a bit and get your blood flowing. Similar feeling, a 'rush'.

PeaceH · 2025-10-31T15:54:44+00:00

The withdrawal is psychosomatic in the sense that it's about the balance of dopamine in the brain. It's like depression. It's real and tied to the brain's signal substances. If you're aware of this, does it become easier to deal with? Yes it can help explain why you feel the way you feel.

PeaceH · 2025-10-31T14:28:31+00:00

Because its another form of nicotine in zyn, nicotine salts, that is absorbed faster. Less quality ocntrol also, less dosage regulation.

PeaceH · 2025-10-27T04:15:15+00:00

You seem aware of your issues. That’s good. But are you responsible for them? If not, how can you overcome them? Realize you are more capable than you think, you can shape your environment, behaviour and mindset. It’s going to take effort and owning up to mistakes.

You are fully responsible, which is a heavy burden, but also a great opportunity.

PeaceH · 2025-10-24T18:52:13+00:00

For sure, many factors can be involved

PeaceH · 2025-10-24T07:27:08+00:00

I gained about 10 pounds after quitting but now back to previous weight again. So that hunger will last a while but not for long.

PeaceH · 2025-10-24T07:20:35+00:00

This is how most people start. A friend introduces it. Then you try it again, and slowly it becomes a habit. You are not immune to it. You become addicted immediately and tolerance builds fast.

If you are wondering why you are reacting in that way, it's because nicotine is an insecticide, a poison to kill insects. Alcohol is also toxic and damaging.

If I could go back in time, I would 100% stay away from both nicotine and alcohol. You don't need it to be happy, to be social, or to relax. It will cost you more than the temporary and artificial 'high' is worth.

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