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Increased anxiety/paranoia due to smoking?

harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
edited July 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
I've been smoking since the start of the year due to being under extreme stress when I had my first cigarette. It relaxed me and so I carried on.

More recently I've been feeling that every time I have a cigarette it seems to rapidly increase my heartrate, as if I'm panicking about something intangible, and it also seems to be causing me anxiety and paranoia about things which just don't really worry me normally. There are things which I worry about, don't get me wrong - but at least when I haven't smoked I can say 'It's OK, relax, there's always tomorrow.'

When I've not had a cigarette I feel 'normal' and good, but then I smoke and for about half an hour/ an hour afterwards, start this extreme panic about things that I wasn't even thinking about 1 minute ago.

Last night after a cigarette I spent ages hurriedly throwing all my books off my shelf just to find a book I wanted to read, but it was like it was a life or death situation.

Does this make sense to anyone?
'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

- the great Sir Leo Harrison
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • El_KabongEl_Kabong Posts: 4,141
    smoking can increase your risk of dementia and alzheimer's

    http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=smoking+dementia
    standin above the crowd
    he had a voice that was strong and loud and
    i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
    eager to identify with
    someone above the crowd
    someone who seemed to feel the same
    someone prepared to lead the way
  • spongersponger Posts: 3,159
    Yes smoking does increase your metabolism. It's the equivalent of walking 1 mile each day.
    reigning champion

    http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
  • HushBullHushBull Posts: 996
    sponger wrote:
    Yes smoking does increase your metabolism. It's the equivalent of walking 1 mile each day.

    I always heard it made your metabolism crap out. I thought cigarette smokers were really thin because we use them as a food source. Or I do anyways.
    "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro"
  • ForestBrainForestBrain Posts: 460
    That's weird.
    Here's something interesting.

    I quit smoking a couple of months ago (I had been smoking for, oh, I think twelve years), and had not smoked for entire month. That month, though I didn't crave any smokes, oddly, was one filled with a buttload of anxiety and panic attacks.
    I took up smoking again and am now back to normal.

    Harmless, I noticed that you already seem to have a lot of problems. Smoking can increase a person's heart rate, though. I've noticed it do strange things to different people. A friend of mine does not smoke much at all, but on the rare occasion that she has one, she gets dizzy and her heart rate speeds up.

    You're probably not cut out to smoke, or your anxiety attacks are the cause of something else that has something to do with your depression.

    I wouldn't pay much attention to me, though, because I'm just guessing at things from your previous threads.
    When life gives you lemons, throw them at somebody.
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    ForestBrain wrote:
    That's weird.
    Here's something interesting.

    I quit smoking a couple of months ago (I had been smoking for, oh, I think twelve years), and had not smoked for entire month. That month, though I didn't crave any smokes, oddly, was one filled with a buttload of anxiety and panic attacks.
    I took up smoking again and am now back to normal.

    Harmless, I noticed that you already seem to have a lot of problems. Smoking can increase a person's heart rate, though. I've noticed it do strange things to different people. A friend of mine does not smoke much at all, but on the rare occasion that she has one, she gets dizzy and her heart rate speeds up.

    You're probably not cut out to smoke, or your anxiety attacks are the cause of something else that has something to do with your depression.

    I wouldn't pay much attention to me, though, because I'm just guessing at things from your previous threads.

    I don't think the smokes are 'causing' my anxiety - there has been a lot of shit in the past, yes - but I really do feel a pronounced difference in how much I panic and worry IMMEDIATELY after a smoke. It's like, I'll resolve things in my mind and think 'That's OK, I can deal with that', and for an hour or so after a smoke, I'll think whatever it is is unmanageable again. Until the effects have worn off.

    Overall, I feel that my head is getting clearer recently and I am much happier than I was a few months ago, but I do think that smoking is prolonging my recovery.

    Edit: I haven't had a smoke since 7 o'clock last night (it's been nearly 24 hours) and I feel very happy and clear-headed.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • TrixieCatTrixieCat Posts: 5,756
    Well, sucking in tar and poisons would cause my heart to race faster and my anxiety to build.
    Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
    And I don't feel right when you're gone away
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    TrixieCat wrote:
    Well, sucking in tar and poisons would cause my heart to race faster and my anxiety to build.

    With all due respect, I don't need to be told it isn't healthy. I don't need the immediately obvious stated.

    It isn't immediately obvious that cigarettes cause what I'm describing and there is debate as to whether they do or don't, so responses a little more detailed than 'Tar is poisonous' will be helpful.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • TrixieCatTrixieCat Posts: 5,756
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    With all due respect, I don't need to be told it isn't healthy. I don't need the immediately obvious stated.

    It isn't immediately obvious that cigarettes cause what I'm describing and there is debate as to whether they do or don't, so responses a little more detailed than 'Tar is poisonous' will be helpful.
    I wasn't trying to tell you they were unhealthy...don't really care what you put in your own body.
    And if you think those poisons aren't responsible for messing with your heartrate or level of anxiety than you are not seeing things clearly.
    These are a few of the ingredients in cigarettes:
    Nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT.
    Yes, I would be thinking arsenic and DDT mixed with ammonia would be a little wearisome.

    Edit to add that nicotine is a depressant.
    Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
    And I don't feel right when you're gone away
  • Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    very simple.

    smoking - of any kind- is a vaso - constrictor,

    it puts undue stress on your circulatory system, and it turn it can be directly proportional to anxiety .


    stop now, while youre still young
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
    That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
    platessmall.jpg
    ORGAN DONATION SAVES LIVES
    http://www.UNOS.org
    Donate Organs and Save a Life
  • libragirllibragirl Posts: 4,632
    I'm sure glad I never started, it sounds fun. :p

    I would say quit but I'm sure you don't want to hear that :)
    These cuts are leaving creases. Trace the scars to fit the pieces, to tell the story, you don't need to say a word.
  • Super VedderSuper Vedder Posts: 1,531
    TrixieCat wrote:
    I wasn't trying to tell you they were unhealthy...don't really care what you put in your own body.
    And if you think those poisons aren't responsible for messing with your heartrate or level of anxiety than you are not seeing things clearly.
    These are a few of the ingredients in cigarettes:
    Nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT.
    Yes, I would be thinking arsenic and DDT mixed with ammonia would be a little wearisome.

    Edit to add that nicotine is a depressant.

    i agree with what she said ;):D
    Black, the greatest without a doubt........
  • jamie ukjamie uk Posts: 3,812
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    With all due respect, I don't need to be told it isn't healthy. I don't need the immediately obvious stated.

    It isn't immediately obvious that cigarettes cause what I'm describing and there is debate as to whether they do or don't, so responses a little more detailed than 'Tar is poisonous' will be helpful.



    *opens gold envelope*
    And most 'in denial' post of the year goes to......you know the drill folks.

    Mark, ciggs kil you mate, they fuck with your heart and your lungs, that's what's making you feel fucked....come on dude....who takes up smoking these days apart from idiot 13 year olds :rolleyes:

    p.s. this is meant as a friendly reality check friend, nothing else.
    I came, I saw, I concurred.....
  • Jeremy1012Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    jamie uk wrote:
    *opens gold envelope*
    And most 'in denial' post of the year goes to......you know the drill folks.

    Mark, ciggs kil you mate, they fuck with your heart and your lungs, that's what's making you feel fucked....come on dude....who takes up smoking these days apart from idiot 13 year olds :rolleyes:

    p.s. this is meant as a friendly reality check friend, nothing else.
    Everybody has their vices Jamie :) I doubt very much that Mark starting smoking ignorant of the realities, I'd imagine he started IN SPITE of them :) I know I did. Been 3 weeks since my last though and feeling damn good. There was a time when I didn't give a shit that it was a filthy habit, it calmed me down. I don't really need that particular crutch now though and decided that it isn't worth the financial and physical harm. Besides, I still have alcohol :rolleyes:

    Never had anxiety or paranoia though Mark. Perhaps the smoking is only a trigger for a problem that runs deeper?
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • spongersponger Posts: 3,159
    When I go through morphine withdrawal, my mind goes absolutely bonkers. Words cannot begin to describe how insanely delusional and delirious I get when my body is deprived of opiates after prolonged use.

    Nicotine is just as addictive as heroin. No telling what your mind does when you're living with nicotine addiction.
    reigning champion

    http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
  • decides2dreamdecides2dream Posts: 14,977
    i do believe that quitting smoking can increase your chances of anxiety/panic attacks, never heard of smoking itself doing the same. my guess would be it's psychosomatic at this point, your own association. however, i don't pretend to be a doctor so yea....whateva.......


    thank bejeebus when i quit no anxiety attacks, i had suffered thru them earlier and they're no picnic.
    Stay with me...
    Let's just breathe...


    I am myself like you somehow


  • Touchofgray16Touchofgray16 Posts: 639
    I started smoking before the Stones released Exile on Main Street

    Parliament was my drug of choice

    I married a man who never smoked a cigarette (together 24 years now)

    I quit once for two years because I wanted to set a good example for my kids

    I thought I could have "just one" and went back with a vengeance

    After 9/11, I doubled my cigarette consumption

    My gums have taken the brunt of damage from smoking by rapidly receding

    I need oral surgery to prevent further damage

    I quit June 8th because of the upcoming oral surgery and the near $10 a pack price increase

    I gave them up cold turkey because it was so hot out, the nic patch wouldn't stick to my skin

    One day at a time, I try not to stuff myself with food or alcohol in an attempt to avoid "feeling"

    "Oh, I'm looking for my missing piece ~ Hi dee ho, here I go" - Shel Silverstein
    "Tweet"

    "Chirp"
  • Bathgate66Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    Bathgate66 wrote:
    very simple.

    smoking - of any kind- is a vaso - constrictor,

    it puts undue stress on your circulatory system, and it turn it can be directly proportional to anxiety .


    stop now, while youre still young


    i should point out i am not a doctor

    however i am a NYS and Federally Licensed Healthcare worker who works fulltime in a clinical ( hospital ) setting.

    :)
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
    That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
    platessmall.jpg
    ORGAN DONATION SAVES LIVES
    http://www.UNOS.org
    Donate Organs and Save a Life
  • Heineken HelenHeineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    Why the HELL would anyone take up smoking in this day and age??? :eek:

    *shakes head* mark mark mark! :o

    It's stupid enough that I STILL smoke... but I've got the already stupid excuse that I'm addicted. I don't care if you want to hear it or not... just fucking quit now!
    The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
    Verona??? it's all surmountable
    Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
    Wembley? We all believe!
    Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
    Chicago 07? And love
    What a different life
    Had I not found this love with you
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    Heineken Helen wrote:
    Why the HELL would anyone take up smoking in this day and age??? :eek:

    *shakes head* mark mark mark! :o

    It's stupid enough that I STILL smoke... but I've got the already stupid excuse that I'm addicted. I don't care if you want to hear it or not... just fucking quit now!

    What the fuck do you mean 'in this day and age'? You mean why take up smoking when you could have an iPod or a Paris Hilton sex tape?

    'Ah, it's not like the old days. Back when me old ma' couldn't afford a loaf of bread smoking used to matter!'

    The irony is that both the people in this thread who've told me I'm somehow childish for taking up smoking, are addicted smokers.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • Heineken HelenHeineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    What the fuck do you mean 'in this day and age'? You mean why take up smoking when you could have an iPod or a Paris Hilton sex tape?

    'Ah, it's not like the old days. Back when me old ma' couldn't afford a loaf of bread smoking used to matter!'

    The irony is that both the people in this thread who've told me I'm somehow childish for taking up smoking, are addicted smokers.
    In this day and age... everyone knows the dangers.

    And yep, listen to the addicted smokers, we're the ones who wish we'd never started... don't ya think that makes sense? I started when I was 9... sure I'd heard about the risks... but it was the cool thing to do :rolleyes: IMO there's no other reason for someone to want to start. I can't believe you're even debating this.
    The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
    Verona??? it's all surmountable
    Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
    Wembley? We all believe!
    Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
    Chicago 07? And love
    What a different life
    Had I not found this love with you
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    Heineken Helen wrote:
    In this day and age... everyone knows the dangers.

    And yep, listen to the addicted smokers, we're the ones who wish we'd never started... don't ya think that makes sense? I started when I was 9... sure I'd heard about the risks... but it was the cool thing to do :rolleyes: IMO there's no other reason for someone to want to start. I can't believe you're even debating this.

    Whether everyone knows the dangers is irrelevant. You started when you were 9 and you're only a couple of years older than me. You knew the dangers as well. Oh but it was 'the cool thing to do', so that's fine. :rolleyes:

    And what do you think I'm debating? I took up smoking because when I was going through extreme anxiety, a cigarette was the only thing that would make my tense shoulders drop and relax. It now seems to be having the opposite effect so I don't like it and I'm giving up. No debate there.

    I've had 2 cigarettes in as many days.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • Heineken HelenHeineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    Whether everyone knows the dangers is irrelevant. You started when you were 9 and you're only a couple of years older than me. You knew the dangers as well. Oh but it was 'the cool thing to do', so that's fine. :rolleyes:

    And what do you think I'm debating? I took up smoking because when I was going through extreme anxiety, a cigarette was the only thing that would make my tense shoulders drop and relax. It now seems to be having the opposite effect so I don't like it and I'm giving up. No debate there.

    I've had 2 cigarettes in as many days.
    That's fine... it just makes about as much sense to me as somebody who becomes homeless taking heroin to make it all better.

    and I was 9 almost 20 years ago :eek:
    The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
    Verona??? it's all surmountable
    Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
    Wembley? We all believe!
    Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
    Chicago 07? And love
    What a different life
    Had I not found this love with you
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    Heineken Helen wrote:
    That's fine... it just makes about as much sense to me as somebody who becomes homeless taking heroin to make it all better.

    A vast majority of them do... not ignorant of the dangers, but inspite of them. Most of us who have tried any mind-altering drug are subconsciously - or maybe not so subconsciously - attracted to the idea of oblivion and nothingness; we don't mind 'killing ourselves softly', deep down, even if it takes 60 years to do so.
    and I was 9 almost 20 years ago :eek:

    We knew a lot about the dangers of cigarettes back then. It was the 80s.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • Heineken HelenHeineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    harmless_little_f*** wrote:
    A vast majority of them do... not ignorant of the dangers, but inspite of them. Most of us who have tried any mind-altering drug are subconsciously - or maybe not so subconsciously - attracted to the idea of oblivion and nothingness; we don't mind 'killing ourselves softly', deep down, even if it takes 60 years to do so.



    We knew a lot about the dangers of cigarettes back then. It was the 80s.
    yeh, cos a 9 year old gives a fuck about health warnings :cool:
    The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
    Verona??? it's all surmountable
    Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
    Wembley? We all believe!
    Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
    Chicago 07? And love
    What a different life
    Had I not found this love with you
  • TrixieCatTrixieCat Posts: 5,756
    Heineken Helen wrote:
    yeh, cos a 9 year old gives a fuck about health warnings :cool:
    :eek:
    9?!?!?!???!?!!??!?
    I can hardly believe that.
    Who lets a 9 yr old smoke?
    Or you were hiding it very well.
    Holy smokes.
    Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
    And I don't feel right when you're gone away
  • Heineken HelenHeineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    TrixieCat wrote:
    :eek:
    9?!?!?!???!?!!??!?
    I can hardly believe that.
    Who lets a 9 yr old smoke?
    Or you were hiding it very well.
    Holy smokes.
    My sister! I still give her shit over it. She used to go for a cycle so she could smoke... she'd bring me with her so it wouldn't be obvious... she got me to start so I couldn't tell on her :eek:
    The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
    Verona??? it's all surmountable
    Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
    Wembley? We all believe!
    Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
    Chicago 07? And love
    What a different life
    Had I not found this love with you
  • Steve DunneSteve Dunne Posts: 4,965
    Mark - stop smoking or i'll come over there and beat you silly.

    Helen - 9? Holy Christ! Was this because you were the most sober one in the pub and had to drive everyone home too?
    I love to turn you on
  • The ChampThe Champ Posts: 4,063
    Steve Dunne wrote:
    Mark - stop smoking or i'll come over there and beat you silly.

    Helen - 9? Holy Christ! Was this because you were the most sober one in the pub and had to drive everyone home too?

    haha..
    'I want to hurry home to you
    put on a slow, dumb show for you
    and crack you up
    so you can put a blue ribbon on my brain
    god I'm very, very frightening
    and I'll overdo it'
  • Flannel ShirtFlannel Shirt Posts: 1,021
    smoking instantly increases heart rate and raises blood pressure. those of us who have smoked much longer than we have cared to probably dont even notice anymore.

    from wikapedia..
    "Inhalation of tobacco smoke causes several immediate responses within the heart and blood vessels. Within one minute the heart rate begins to rise, increasing by as much as 30 percent during the first 10 minutes of smoking."

    that said, i am quitting today. no PJ shows, no holidays, no reasons not to. one gerb with the morning coffee for the last time....

    wish me luck.
    All that's sacred, comes from youth....dedications, naive and true.
  • The ChampThe Champ Posts: 4,063
    TrixieCat wrote:
    :eek:
    9?!?!?!???!?!!??!?
    I can hardly believe that.
    Who lets a 9 yr old smoke?
    Or you were hiding it very well.
    Holy smokes.

    Seriously 9?? At that age I barely even knew how to put on a condom properly..wow..
    'I want to hurry home to you
    put on a slow, dumb show for you
    and crack you up
    so you can put a blue ribbon on my brain
    god I'm very, very frightening
    and I'll overdo it'
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