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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by odon on March 1, 2009, at 9:11:24
1.Do you smoke cigarettes?---2.Do you think that all the unknown chemicals in cigarettes contribute to mental issues and/or may make psychiatric medications like antidepressants less effective or lose effectiveness if one smokes for a long period of time?
Posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2009, at 13:35:21
In reply to Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by odon on March 1, 2009, at 9:11:24
No don't smoke but when did was for stimulant at night. Heard long time ago it increased dopamine in schizophrenia and they needed dopamine. No idea if fact or fiction. Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on March 1, 2009, at 16:07:01
In reply to Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by odon on March 1, 2009, at 9:11:24
The chemicals can't be healthy. I've seen the list of 100+ chemicals and additives in Marlboro and others. A few are herbs, probably for flavor tweeking, but most are long chemical names you couldn't pronounce.
I personally do not believe the tobacco plant leaf itself is nearly as unhealthy as the stuff they mix into it.
That's why I smoke natural organic cigarettes that are pure leaf and nothing else. But still, nicotine is a modest stimulant that has action on neurotransmitters, so even nicotine gum or a nicotine patch would seem to me to have some interplay with any psychotropic med. Probably not enough to be significant in my opinion.
Posted by raisinb on March 1, 2009, at 16:51:27
In reply to Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by odon on March 1, 2009, at 9:11:24
1) Yes, when stressed or upset. I go through "bouts" of smoking, then don't do it again for months.
2) I do notice that though I smoke to relieve anxiety, they tend to make me more anxious afterwards. Stimulating in a bad way. I don't notice that they make antidepressants less effective.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on March 1, 2009, at 21:02:09
In reply to Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by odon on March 1, 2009, at 9:11:24
i think smoking is a wonderful mood elevator.
i miss smoking
Posted by myco on March 1, 2009, at 21:19:30
In reply to Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by odon on March 1, 2009, at 9:11:24
I quit smoking recently. It was always a relaxant to me. I believe i've read that nicotine or some chemicals in the tobacco are MAO inhibitors hense some peoples response of mood elevation/relaxation etc. That first cig of the day would always give me a headrush but very relaxing after that wore off...actually seemed a social thing alot of the time...probably a psychological behaviour there though. Cig's always increased my motivation to some extent and I noted that cig's would make me very horny sometimes. To much smoke though would made me irritable kind of. dunno why.
I dont imagine any AD effect would be lost from your med from smoking...i've never experienced that. Smoked all through effexor, paxil, zoloft, amitript. Quit smoking when I started Nardil...actually lost all interest in smoking with nardil, total loss of craving. The idea of smoke makes me ill now.
myco
> 1.Do you smoke cigarettes?---2.Do you think that all the unknown chemicals in cigarettes contribute to mental issues and/or may make psychiatric medications like antidepressants less effective or lose effectiveness if one smokes for a long period of time?
Posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2009, at 21:30:48
In reply to Re: Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes » odon, posted by myco on March 1, 2009, at 21:19:30
One time only smoked in the morning and almost fainted. For real. Love Phillipa
Posted by Neal on March 1, 2009, at 22:55:50
In reply to Re: Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes » myco, posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2009, at 21:30:48
________________________
I don't smoke, but i was reading some old posts from this board about Wellbutrin being effective in quiting. It was marketed under another name (Zyban?) and prescribed for ending smoking.Don't know the latest word on the efficacy of it. Just thought I'd mention it.
_________________________
Posted by odon on March 2, 2009, at 10:07:03
In reply to Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by odon on March 1, 2009, at 9:11:24
Thanks to everyone who answered so far. I really appreciate all your views and help.Even though I just started posting on this forum I have been reading it on and off for some time now.
Posted by raisinb on March 2, 2009, at 11:08:43
In reply to Re: Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by Neal on March 1, 2009, at 22:55:50
That's very true. When I was on Wellbutrin, I quit smoking immediately. Somehow it makes them taste bad and not have the effect they usually do.
Posted by Zyprexa on March 2, 2009, at 14:36:52
In reply to Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by odon on March 1, 2009, at 9:11:24
Studies suggest that nicotine is an AP. Notice the number of schitzophrenics who smoke is realy high.
I smoke and schitzoaffective. I think nicotine helps. I don't smoke a lot anymore since finding nicotine lozenges. I now smoke 2 cigs a day. And 4 nicotine lozenges. Plus I take wellbutrin sr. I smoked for 16 years. was a 1/2 pack a day for the longest while, 10 years.
Posted by Maria3667 on March 2, 2009, at 15:52:49
In reply to Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by odon on March 1, 2009, at 9:11:24
I don't think cigarettes & mental illnesses are related...
Way before I got severely down in the dumps, I was depressed as hell. I quit smoking and years later this black cloud is still in my head. Maybe I'm too ugly for things to go well...
Posted by Phillipa on March 2, 2009, at 18:28:14
In reply to Re: Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by Maria3667 on March 2, 2009, at 15:52:49
Maria no way are you ugly. Love Phillipa
Posted by Neal on March 3, 2009, at 3:50:10
In reply to Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by odon on March 1, 2009, at 9:11:24
This from Jan. issue of Brain Briefings
http://www.sfn.org/index.aspx?pagename=brainBriefings_smokingNicotine and its brain receptorsproteins on the surface of cells that receive chemical messagesare keys to understanding the links between smoking and schizophrenia. Already, research has revealed that:
* Nicotine and its receptors are involved in functions such as cognition or thinking ability, reward, movement, and pain relief.
* Schizophrenia patients have fewer and more poorly functioning nicotinic receptors, especially in the hippocampus, cortex, and cells that wrap the thalamusbrain areas involved in several cognitive and sensory deficits of schizophrenia.Increased nicotine intakefrom smoking cigarettes or sometimes from a skin patch, gum, or nasal spraymay temporarily normalize sensory disruptions of schizophrenia. For example, nicotine may improve eye tracking abnormalities, mostly by altering activity in the hippocampus and brain areas involved in eye movement. Nicotine also has been reported to improve the brains ability to filter sounds and to respond and adapt to strong sensory inputs.
Cognitive ability in people with schizophrenia may get a boost from nicotine as well, including temporary enhancements in learning, memory, processing speed, and attention.
Posted by Maria3667 on March 3, 2009, at 10:44:26
In reply to Re: Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes » Maria3667, posted by Phillipa on March 2, 2009, at 18:28:14
Hi Phillipa,
Thanks for that! You're a pretty 1 yourselves...! Love Maria
> Maria no way are you ugly. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on March 3, 2009, at 18:53:08
In reply to Re: Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by Neal on March 3, 2009, at 3:50:10
Neal well that might help to explain that when allowed to smoke patients seem to respond to meds sooner and I feel voices may lessen. That's my take on it anyway. Thanks for the link. Phillipa
Posted by Neal on March 3, 2009, at 19:03:21
In reply to Re: Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes » Neal, posted by Phillipa on March 3, 2009, at 18:53:08
Interesting article. Of course you have to consider the possible side-effect of cancer later in life.
~neal
Posted by desolationrower on March 3, 2009, at 20:47:33
In reply to Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by odon on March 1, 2009, at 9:11:24
1. i smoke maybe every few months, socially. smoke a pipe occasionally too.
2. probably not a big deal, some chemicals inhibit mao-b rather significantly. if anything i'd think the fluctuating levels of nicotine might be bad, even though nicotine generally looks positive in its effects.
-d/r
Posted by myco on March 9, 2009, at 0:16:41
In reply to Quick survey and question about smoking cigarettes, posted by odon on March 1, 2009, at 9:11:24
I think this thread deserves to live live live moohoohoohahahaha
> 1.Do you smoke cigarettes?---2.Do you think that all the unknown chemicals in cigarettes contribute to mental issues and/or may make psychiatric medications like antidepressants less effective or lose effectiveness if one smokes for a long period of time?
This is the end of the thread.
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