Snus and Anxiety/Depression

[deebocools]

I'm a bit of a unique case in that I was a heavy drinker for a little over a year after starting on my 20th birthday. I didn't go a day without at least 6 drinks, and at most I had about 36.

My reasons for drinking were entirely depression. Alcohol served its purpose, I got out of a dark hole pretty fast, but then I was just drinking for kicks.

because of the cost of keeping up such a habit, I tried to cut back, failing on several occasions, only to realize I needed to stop it entirely. When I cut it out, The depression came back in a storm, but by upping my caffeine and nicotine usage, alot, I can really say I'm happy now.

being able to keep up energy, then get a "buzz on" with a mega-pinch or a strong portion, is really an amazing thing to be able to fall back on. I would argue with anyone who says anti-depressant effects are coincedental.

If nicotine was just an expensive mild stimulant, for which tolerance built incredibly fast, very few people would do it. There has to be a self-medication element with most users to continue usage after the thrill of the first few times is gone.

In addition, It's one of the only anti-depressants(like alcohol) for which the user controls dosage. This is important to me, and why I would never go on prescribed meds wherein the dosage and application is out of my hands.

[burningcow422]

I know this thread is old but I'll just add a few of my thoughts. I've been "suffering" with depression since I was a little kid. Started drinking as a little kid as well. I forget exactly when I discovered tobacco but I remember taking my first drag and noticed how everything seemed better looking (like in high definition) and I noticed I felt instantly happy. So yeah I can see it as an anti-depression type deal. If nicotine didn't help calm me down and put me in a good mood I would never have continued using it.



My 2 cents.

[outsidelinebacker20]

Well, it goes against my better judgment to post this; but seeings how we are all sharing. I have be anxiety ridden my whole life. Runs in the family. No depression, like my siblings (thank God), just generalized anxiety. Later in life it has reared it`s ugly head as OCD. 20mg of Paxil helps me keep it under control.

I never smoked, but tend to get addicted to anything that gives me a buzz. My brother and sister are stone alcoholics. Grandfather was, father and even my mother uses a little to cope with taking care of my elderly step-father. Knowing this, I have always watched it. I binge drank in college like all my friends, but have never taken to using it to self medicate. I used it more for entertainment value and relaxing at parties or bars. Since being on the Paxil, I do not drink at all. Can not say as I really miss it much. I have never tried hard drugs because I was afraid I might like them. Tried pot a few times and never cared for it. Made me paranoid. More than usual.

I lived on caffeine early on, and still do. I tried leaf tobacco when teenage friends were using it. I got to using Skoal for the same reason. The nicotine hit from Skoal got me using it permanently. I had Skoal shipped to Cologne by an ex-girlfriend until the customs hassles drove me to search for an alternative. Here I am.

Nicotine helps me, as does caffeine. I do not know why, but I like it. You would think that an anxious person would stay away from caffeine. Nope. I like it. I am sure the Doc could tell me why. After hearing all the negative stuff about chew, I tried to quit. I did stop for long periods of time. The anxiety problems I have had my whole life have toughen me up to willing myself to do things. Not to be out of control. I will not allow it. I started using again after months and sometimes years of quitting for one reason: it makes me happy. My life has been a challenge sometimes. Like everyone. I got to the point where I decided I would make myself happy in the time I have. Quality of life. When I did not chew, I just missed it. Long after the physical cravings were gone, I mentally craved a dip. With the driving I have done in the past, I am not sure I would be here without it to keep me alert. This is not a rationalization. Just a fact, to me.

Now tobacco is a part of my life permanently. It makes me happy. It gives me a lift to look forward to like the first drink of Coke in the morning. Nicotine can get me agitated early in the morning and cause slightly sweaty palms, but that is something I have come to expect. After the first jolt in the morning, it is a important part of my day.

Kevin

[deebocools]

thanks for sharing that, outsidelinebacker.

It reminds me that psychiatrists and the general public alike should remember that some drug reactions are counter-intuitive, like how stimulants can be soothing and cannabis can be energizing, depending on the person.

For me, stimulants perk me up slightly, but they also instill a deep sense of calm because I feel as though I have my wits about me for any trouble that might arise.

[vodkaniac]

Thanks Kevin. I really enjoyed your story. I had stopped coffee when I began this episode of generalized anxiety I describe above. I had thought that my coffee consumption might be the root of it, but frankly, stopping coffee didn't help. (snus is helping me cope, though) Reading your story has got me thinking I ought to go back to it. Just to see. I'm certain now that it wasn't causing the anxiety. Maybe I'll be like you and find that it actually has a paradoxical effect. - Grant

[joe broker]

Doc,

I am a non-smoker (except for an occasional cigar) and use Snus for the medicinal purpose. I have anxiety and depression issues, and take a SRI. I work in the financial field and have ahd a stressful year (so have my clients, of course). I find that snus worksfor this, and has eliminated ANY craving for cigars.

I typically use a few portions in the morning, with the first one being the most enjoyable, of course, as I get the first nic hit of the day. I then use after lunch, then take a break until late evening, when I use in conjunction with a couple drinks. I wish I did not drink as much, but find it too helpfull in getting to sleep. My drinking has gone down since using snus, but not enough, IMO. Maybe tonight I will try only snus and no drink.

Any suggestions, anyone??

[outsidelinebacker20]

If you have a high stress job and still are not tired at night, try walking after work. That will get you some exercise and not have you wired before bed time. As you know, alcohol messes with your REM sleep. If you still can not sleep, tell your head doctor. They may need to change your meds.

Kevin

[sychodelix]

I'm on an anti-depression medication and normally it works fine, but there's always times when it's not quite enough. Well it was until I started snus. Even cigarettes didn't help this much. I notice the slow, even nicotine delivery helps me out much more than the quick rushes of cigarettes. Not to mention, I just love snusing!

[deebocools]

that's why I think the self-dosing of nicotine is an important factor. anti-depressants work in some cases, but they are not "as needed" like some anxiety meds, or snus. That way, I think natural fluctuations in mood fail to be evened out as well as they could with more popular alcohol/cannabis/nicotine.

[SeneNatten]

I prefer nicotine over methylphenidate for my attention-related problems. And those attention problems bleed over into anxiety and depression; I don't use tobacco specifically for those issues, but it helps me in other areas which in turn alleviates anxiety and depression.

I'd be happy to share more if you want details. Just PM me. Cheers.

[sychodelix]

I'm on depression meds, but I don't think I could cope completely without the nicotine and caffeine. I started smoking partially because of peer pressure and partly because of stress/anxiety. I started with cigars, then moved to cigarettes for the most part, then back to cigars, then cigarettes...and finally when I decided it was hurting me, I switched to dip shortly before finding snus.

[Talneharus]

I havent had chance to use snus yet as it is on its way still but i thought id try and relate.

After a loss of a 3 year relation-ship i sank deep into a slump of depression. My brother who had just turned 21 at the time decided to trow a party, so i dragged my friend along who smoked as well as my brother but after a few hours we relized we had drank it all. Not being satisfied i grabbed my friends pack of camel silvers and lit one up for two reasons. The first was out of spite for the ex, and the second to continue the high.
Fastforward 3 years, i had hooked back up with the ex after finding out i was a father, so i decided it was best i put the habit to rest. But after the 3rd day of being nicotine free i found my self in a slump again, any one that tried to have a good time with me was doomed i would snap instantly at them and always react negativly, around the 4th day they were fed up and shoved a cigarette in my mouth forceing me to smoke again. The second i got my nicotine levels back to normal my temper and depression dissapred instantly. It was like a thick fog had cleared in my head and i could see and think so much more clearly. So id definatly say that with a constant supply that snus gives people can definatly find them selves sharper, more active, and depression free or at least reduced

[Spgsamuel]

-hello doc-

when i was younger i smoked regular pre made malbourgh reds. after a few years had past while i was living with my illness i had not smoked or drank. i only drank tea, and cofee gave me headaches. i had 200 malbourgh in the cuboard from a holiday trip my parents had purchased me. so i considered the prospect of taking up an old habbit and mabey make a new hobby if it all worked out. well it was stale... real stale but very interesting. somtimes really old tobacco is totally bling

this is taken from a notable website regarding schizophrenia
http://www.schizophrenia.com/index.php

Research now suggests that people with brain disorders smoke at a high rate partly because nicotine reduces some of the cognitive dysfunction that is a common symptom.� In fact researchers are now working to identify and develop nicotine-like drugs they hope will provide even more relief but without the addiction and negative health impacts of cigarette smoking.

it is very boring having a mental health illness and smoking tobacco provides a convienient outlet for me, i am aware of the dangers of tobacco and unfortunatly am aware of how crap things are when you dont make the most of the little world you have when you have a severe illness. many mental health sites link snus as a safer way to smoke, without smoking. i personally do not like the taste of tobacco but i do occasionally use snus to prevent myself from taking what i feel is a harmful amount of tobacco smoke, which i may well find myself doing when under pressure.

so yes people with mental health issue do use snus as a safer tobacco product, and they also use it to pass the time as smoking a ciggy would have. after much research on my illness all i hear is how we all smoke and how fatal it is, how 33% of us took drugs dependantly. how people with scizophrenia are 90% more likely to die from cancer. all random facts that have some impact into our lives and we look hard at what we can do to stay alive

in the uk, where i live, the doctors get paid more if they stop us from smoking, it is part of the incentive scheme used in the uk for the NHS so that sucsessful doctors can earn more when they deserve it. AND i dont think any of them would get paid more for lets say getting us hooked on chewing tobacco

so i recon its probably for the best you asked because i smoke 50% less already and i dont even chew tobacco, technically that increases my mortality in the morbid percent figures to twice as likely to survive. wow i recon thats worth a few more pennies for doctors.

also as u know i smoke regually i find it really hard to excersize well as there is very little if no point in doing it if you need to inhale smoke at some point. i can quite easily get snussing for a day and do 1 on 1 off.

[BrianC]

I am a generally optomistic person, however I also have tendencies to start getting down and depressed and it turns into a downward spiral type thing. I started smoking when I was young to be 'cool', but found later that whenever I would try to quit smoking, even if it was a very long period of time and I was completely over the cravings, I tended to stay depressed and miserable, so that is why I wasn't able to quit for good. I decided that I would rather die young and be happier than live longer and more miserably. I eventually discovered snuff and it gave me the psycological benefits of tobacco without the almost certain death aspect, but found that I couldn't completely give up the cigs with that alone, though my consumption was far far less. If I was really stressed cigs seemed to be the only thing that helped. Now I have discovered snus which I have found completely rids me of the craving for cigs, as well as helps my mood stay more stable. I tried smoking a couple of days ago for the heck of it and found it to be repulsive, so I am a happy camper.

[holnrew]

I find it difficult to completely kick the cigarettes. I'll stay off them for several months and then my mood starts to deteriorate due to stress or just completely at random and I pick them up again.