Stress and smoking

Mike Gayner · 27-09-2005, 06:37 PM

Has anyone heard of a scientific link between smoking and stress relief? This thought popped into my head today because in the last couple of weeks I've lost my job and my car has been destroyed in a fire and I'm feeling pretty stressed out at the moment. With no real job prospects yet and the insurance company trying to fob me off with my car I have been smoking quite heavily (about 10 - 15 smokes a day).

I actually kicked the habit a couple of years ago, although I still smoke casually with mates over a few beers, but this sort of heavy smoking is unusual for me. I genuinely feel like it is helping me deal with the stress. What do you guys think?

GlennBA · 27-09-2005, 06:40 PM

i think its more of a mental thing..
i smoke quite a bit, but i agree, i smoke more when i'm stressed.

Steffo · 27-09-2005, 06:41 PM

Maybe you're unconsciously trying to kill yourself faster to end the stress? :P

That's the only explination that would make any sense to me...

4.9 EF Futura · 27-09-2005, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Has anyone heard of a scientific link between smoking and stress relief? This thought popped into my head today because in the last couple of weeks I've lost my job and my car has been destroyed in a fire and I'm feeling pretty stressed out at the moment. With no real job prospects yet and the insurance company trying to fob me off with my car I have been smoking quite heavily (about 10 - 15 smokes a day).

I actually kicked the habit a couple of years ago, although I still smoke casually with mates over a few beers, but this sort of heavy smoking is unusual for me. I genuinely feel like it is helping me deal with the stress. What do you guys think?

Absolutely. I think it's the endorphin release you get when lighting up, makes the stress disapear momentarily... i.e. the habitual side of it. Also, nicotine as a drug is fairly 'settling' - more so when your brain has a chemical dependance on it... i.e. the drug addiction side of it.

I know on a bad day they help me out, but then i smoke a fair bit on a "good" day. Would be nice to get by without em but *meh*.

Smoke em if you got em.

MrQuan · 27-09-2005, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Absolutely. I think it's the endorphin release you get when lighting up, makes the stress disapear momentarily... i.e. the habitual side of it. Also, nicotine as a drug is fairly 'settling' - more so when your brain has a chemical dependance on it... i.e. the drug addiction side of it.

I know on a bad day they help me out, but then i smoke a fair bit on a "good" day. Would be nice to get by without em but *meh*.

Smoke em if you got em.

I heard the opposite. I thought nicotine was a stimulant and raised the heart rate etc... so wouldn't smoking make you more stressed???

I only smoke rollies casually with drinks, so what would I know :P

MITCHAY · 27-09-2005, 07:46 PM

Ive heard that nicotine intially raises your heart rate but then relaxes you. I dunno if its a mental thing but I always feel relaxed after one.

bindi · 27-09-2005, 08:06 PM

Quit smoking and take up a better habit - masturbation. Much better for you imho.

LTDHO · 27-09-2005, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bindi

Quit smoking and take up a better habit - masturbation. Much better for you imho.

Aha ha haa haaa

But smoking does the opposite to stress than you think. It is actually worst. However, it does take your mind of the reason for stress and keeps the brain pre-occupied so it tricks you.

In fact, anything that takes your ming of stress is good, primarily. Something that does this but negatively effects you health is bad.

gtfpv · 27-09-2005, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bindi

Quit smoking and take up a better habit - masturbation. Much better for you imho.

WORKS FOR ME . MAYBE THATS WHY I DONT SMOKE . TOO BUSY CIGAR PULLING . MUST BE A PROFESSIONAL .
seriously though i think it would more so be a nervous reaction though wouldn't it mate . thats why youd be smoking more.

**Charliewool** · 27-09-2005, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bindi

Quit smoking and take up a better habit - masturbation. Much better for you imho.

Hmmmm, I spose BOTH involve lots of gasping and shortness of breath, BOTH have certain tempory pleasures and stimulation benifits?...
What it comes down to Bindi, IS... Nicotine fingers Vs Calluses???

Danny · 28-09-2005, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bindi

Quit smoking and take up a better habit - masturbation. Much better for you imho.

Ash is MUCH easier to clean up Bindi.....

I smoke more when I'm stressed too, Interesting thread this, Its funny to see that most smokers find a cigarette to be a stress releif as well.

:

I started smoking as more of a habit due to some stresses in my life that ran rampant last year so I guess theres a link...

Casper · 28-09-2005, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bindi

Quit smoking and take up a better habit - masturbation.

Have you considered therapy? How the hell did you turn a smoking thread into sex?

:

Mike Gayner · 28-09-2005, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bindi

Quit smoking and take up a better habit - masturbation. Much better for you imho.

Haha, I'm already a regular :P Seriously guys I appreciate all you comments, turned out to be rather an interesting topic of discussion. Maybe this is a job for wikipedia?

4.9 EF Futura · 28-09-2005, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bindi

Quit smoking and take up a better habit - masturbation. Much better for you imho.

Lol, sound theory but dont know if I can manage 25 a day....

BJ · 28-09-2005, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bindi

Quit smoking and take up a better habit - masturbation. Much better for you imho.

Now that coment says a lot abut you now dosn't it Bindi. Just what is it that you do up there in the Blue Mountains.

Melz · 27-09-2005, 06:45 PM

I've heard about it, can't remember where, about people relying on different things for stress relief. People deal with stress in different ways, obviously the way your picking isn't healthy but if you find it helps you (until you can find something else) thats the main thing...
When i'm stressed I
1. Never get behind the wheel of a car - you can lose concentration too easily
2. Never drink - getting hammered will never solve anything
3. Actually find something to keep me occupied eg: walking, pulling my car apart (even if it isn't needed), and even gardening!
4. Talk about it, cant emphasis enough how much it helps!!

I hope your luck turns around for you soon!! All the best

hrtrip · 28-09-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melz

When i'm stressed I
1. Never get behind the wheel of a car - you can lose concentration too easily
2. Never drink - getting hammered will never solve anything
3. Actually find something to keep me occupied eg: walking, pulling my car apart (even if it isn't needed), and even gardening!
4. Talk about it, cant emphasis enough how much it helps!!

thats really strange cos i do the exact opposite:
i always go for a drive when im stressed - gives me time to think
i drink... to get drunk - im happy when im drunk
i dont like to be occupied - i like to kick aaround the house and try to relax
i hate to talk about it - especially to gossips

i also smoke like a chimney - about 15 a day depending on whether im with the missus or not (really strange saying that i have a missus, young love...)

funny that we are almost exactly the opposite Melz, you know what they say opposites attract... ok im losing it, im having a ciggie now lol

Mike Gayner · 28-09-2005, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrtrip

i hate to talk about it - especially to gossips

I hear that, I never talk about my problems. My mates were shocked to find out I lost my job, but even more so that I hadn't told anyone. For some reason I have no problem talking on internet forums about it, probably because no one knows who I am. I hate telling people I lost my job, it makes me feel ashamed and I feel like a total loser.

XYGTHO · 28-09-2005, 11:29 AM

How can you afford to smoke if you just lost your job. I say give it up that way you'l get another job easier anyhow. I do believe that it is stress relieving though but then so is sex and thrashing a car.

MITCHAY · 28-09-2005, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrtrip

thats really strange cos i do the exact opposite:
i always go for a drive when im stressed - gives me time to think
i drink... to get drunk - im happy when im drunk
i dont like to be occupied - i like to kick aaround the house and try to relax
i hate to talk about it - especially to gossips

Its not strange mate. That's the way I am also.

Last time I discussed the details of my problems with someone, the b**ch told the 2 chicks I dont like the most who once again tried to insist it was their business when I've told them to f**k so many times It would be impossible to count.

**Falcon Coupe** · 27-09-2005, 07:01 PM

Mike you will feel better because you need the nicotine, give them away, you will be better off in the long run, i smoke 30 a day, but i have not had one in nearly a month, i feel better already.

Casper · 27-09-2005, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

Mike you will feel better because you need the nicotine, give them away, you will be better off in the long run, i smoke 30 a day, but i have not had one in nearly a month, i feel better already.

So, if we need you, we can find you in the corner kicking the cat?

:

I hate smoking... almost as much as I hate trying to quit.

**Falcon Coupe** · 27-09-2005, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper

So, if we need you, we can find you in the corner kicking the cat?

:

I hate smoking... almost as much as I hate trying to quit.

That about sums it up, gives you roid rage !! not that i would now what thats like.
BTW, i'm suprised you can afford to smoke with a car hobby and 4 children, my wife and i gave up togethor, saved $160.00 a week.

NC 5ltr · 27-09-2005, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gayner

Has anyone heard of a scientific link between smoking and stress relief? This thought popped into my head today because in the last couple of weeks I've lost my job and my car has been destroyed in a fire and I'm feeling pretty stressed out at the moment. With no real job prospects yet and the insurance company trying to fob me off with my car I have been smoking quite heavily (about 10 - 15 smokes a day).

I actually kicked the habit a couple of years ago, although I still smoke casually with mates over a few beers, but this sort of heavy smoking is unusual for me. I genuinely feel like it is helping me deal with the stress. What do you guys think?

im pretty sure its got to do with the endorphin release,people who dont smoke rely on the chemical reactions from the human body to release the endorphins to calm them down.

the people who smoke have to rely on smokes to calm them down as the brain has got a dependance on the smokes for the endorphin release,thats why it is so hard for people to quit as they dont have smokes to calm themselves down.

my 2c

:

Damo · 27-09-2005, 08:41 PM

what about both bindi ?

I find I smoke more when i'm stessed, which is most of the time, so I smoke heaps. :S

Yummy Mummy · 27-09-2005, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damo

what about both bindi ?

I find I smoke more when i'm stessed, which is most of the time, so I smoke heaps. :S

God Damo you scared me, I thought you were going to say you smoke more when you masterbate.

loxxr6 · 27-09-2005, 08:45 PM

Quote:

I heard the opposite. I thought nicotine was a stimulant and raised the heart rate etc... so wouldn't smoking make you more stressed???

That's exactly right. It does raise your heart rate. Watching fancy documentaries years ago has paid off lol.

As to why your heart rate goes up whilst you "calm down" I can't remember what was said about that. Placebo effect or something ???

MO · 27-09-2005, 09:12 PM

AAAhhhhh the dreaded nicotine...yes it does relax you if you are an addict which I am...however it also has an effect of increasing your analytical/reasoning power for 4 mins after.

I used to be a 40 a day bloke but have been cutting back the last few months am now a 25 in 2 days bloke feel better and more $ in pocket.

Mike when all your hassles are cleared up try and give it up...won't be easy but as has been said you will be better off....I am aiming for no smokes by august...tried cold turkey...got reaaly cranky so am weaning myself off.

Hope it all works out and good luck.

NIGHTHAWK · 28-09-2005, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gayner

Has anyone heard of a scientific link between smoking and stress relief? This thought popped into my head today because in the last couple of weeks I've lost my job and my car has been destroyed in a fire and I'm feeling pretty stressed out at the moment. With no real job prospects yet and the insurance company trying to fob me off with my car I have been smoking quite heavily (about 10 - 15 smokes a day).

I actually kicked the habit a couple of years ago, although I still smoke casually with mates over a few beers, but this sort of heavy smoking is unusual for me. I genuinely feel like it is helping me deal with the stress. What do you guys think?

Havent heard of it but i did hear this morning that coffee is good for you all those anti-oxidants.

Sourbastard · 28-09-2005, 09:01 AM

What I need is KFC, coffee beans and some tea bags, wrapped in a giant tobacco leaf and lit with blow torch.

mmmmmm life ending :sm_drool: