Seems like people tolerance is the first thing to go. ~~JAKE~~
Best wishes Jake.
Nicotine has a medical effect on the brain by filtering out negative stimuli. That is why everything (everybody) tends to be an irritant. Everything (everyone) around you is pretty much the same as always , it is just that you are more sensitive to (perceived) irritants.
Some people are more sensitive than others and find it harder.
Nicotine also bumps up a persons problem solving IQ by 15-25% . Watch a smoker encounter a snag or problem. Often they have a cigarette and then find the solution right away.
The Einsteins , Oppenheimer's and many geniuses of the past used to smoke their faces off when trying to solve difficult problems.
Medically these two effects of nicotine are considered beneficial. It is the physical smoke and tars that are harmful.
The following seems cruel and unfair but is true nonetheless:
... the number one killer is heart disease and breast cancer in women
... the highest rates of lung cancer is found in 51 year old women who have never smoked or been around second hand smoke.
... the countries with the highest number of smokers has the lowest amount of cancer.
... an exhaustive European study found that people exposed to second hand smoke did not suffer any effects. The actual study group found they had a life expectancy of 2 years longer than those not exposed to smoke.
... most of the so called chemicals in cigarette smoke are also common to bonfires and barbecues .
... in the 1950's and 1960's
there were extremely dangerous cancer causing chemicals added to flavor some brands of cigarettes.
... hydrogenated vegetable oils used for years in food , margarine etc. are expected to kill three times as many people as tobacco. Modern cold rolled vegetable oils are OK and healthy..
Statistics are often skewed as follows:
... lets say you have 100 people who never smoked and 10 die of cancer.
....Then you take 100 people who do smoke and 12 die of cancer.
(false) statisticians will enter the second group as 12 people dying from tobacco related causes.
The reality is that 10 would have died anyway if they did not smoke and the 2 extra deaths that could be attributed to smoking could have occurred at 84 years of age but those facts are usually hidden. Practically every smoker who dies has tobacco use listed as the cause, even if they are 93.
Nicorette chewing gum is a good nicotine delivery system but the nicotine content is often too low to replace a cigarette. High content gum is available but doctors do not prescribe it often enough for the heavy smoker trying to quit. Pipe smoking (without inhaling) is a good delivery system. Pipe smokers live an average of 2-4 years longer than non smokers. The psychological stress relief from fiddling with a pipe is beneficial. Study doctors call it a pacifier for grown men. Stress is harmful to all aspects of good health. Pipes are considered stress relievers.
Non smokers have been (falsely) lead to believe that it is only the smokers who are headed for trouble.
Smoking is expensive , unhealthy, and stinks. I encourage everyone not too.