posted
Ok, I know this is gonna sound like a wierd question. But, has anyone who smokes noticed you are able to concentrate better or more when your smoking?
It may just be me, but I've noticed I've been able to comprehend, and think clearer when I'm smoking a cigarette. Like I feel like I can think clearer.
Maybe it's just wishful thinking.
-------------------- C.D.C = "Country Doesn't Care" Ticks are like Snipers, you don't know they're there, until you see the bullseye. Posts: 86 | From Upstate New York | Registered: Jun 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Sorry - but, yes, definitely wishful thinking to think any such surge of alertness would not come at a serious price.
Not that you may not have a brief sensation of alertness, a reaction to your body being flushed, trying to eliminate multiple toxins.
I am sure you know the risks of smoking. Quadruple that - or more - if you have infections.
Smoking is like sending all your money for treatment up the chimney, along with your hopes and dreams for a healthy future.
If you think the costs of treating lyme are high, at least double that for treating lyme and lung/liver/stomach complications from the effects of cigarettes.
The tick-borne infections are some of the most difficult (and toxic) infections of all time - seriously. Cigarettes are not just loaded with toxins, but those toxins are released with hot, irritating smoke into your lungs in the process. That's a great deal for tender human tissue to handle.
Please give your body a fighting chance by being kind to yourself. [edited to clarify: by breathing in only fresh, clean air.]
You might ask yourself just what smoking gives you - whatever positive illusions or momentary relief- there are non-toxic ways to find what you need as far as either calming (i.e. magnesium) or alertness (i.e. gingko).
There are various organizations with varied techniques around to support people transitioning off cigarettes. Your prescribing doctor would be the best place to start, considering your protocol.
Hopefully, you can find non-judgmental support and suggestions for supplements to support your body's nutrients needs during this time.
Vitamins can help you feel better and milk thistle can help your liver filter through the toxins. Supplements, though, are best prescribed through an licensed acupuncturist or naturopathic physician. Be sure to get only the cleanest quality if you choose products.
Many have found the transition much easier with acupuncture - combined with other supportive measures. Maybe getting a professional massage will help calm and detox at the same time. Hypnosis can also be very helpful support once a decision has been made.
Good luck with all of this.
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[ 02. June 2008, 06:32 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
quote:Originally posted by slappy2779: Ok, I know this is gonna sound like a wierd question. But, has anyone who smokes noticed you are able to concentrate better or more when your smoking?
It's not wishful thinking.
It's actually true.
You actually DO think better, faster. Nicotine is a serious stimulant.
Unfortunately, this better faster sharper stuff comes with a hefty price tag. By the time you do it all day long (puff puff puff puff!), you are basically running your body in overdrive 24/7. It's exhausted. It's having to work much harder than a body that DOESN'T smoke and is consequently much more tired.
And we won't even TALK about that fact that it has Lyme! Hah!
And trust me .. I'm not lecturing... I just quit two months ago and there's nothing I'd rather have than another cigarette!
Your heart is working WAY harder than a person who doesn't smoke. Your pulse is higher than a non-smoker's.
So yes, you can concentrate and think better. But the cost is really high. And there may be a downside, which is that eventually you'll be thinking about needing another cigarette. Like, about every 20 minutes the urge will start creeping back in. Then, I guarantee you that the concentration thing is out the window for sure!!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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Peacesoul
Unregistered
posted
When I used to smoke, I found I was less sharp and had way more brain fog. The chemicals on one cig normally override the nicotine buzz. Nicotine does act as a stimulant, but in more cases acts as a depressant.
I quit 7 weeks ago with the help of homeopathy. I've not even craved one and will never smoke again.
posted
I read an article within the last month or two that stated that nicotine kills certain parasites, but I haven't been able to locate it.
Dr. House also prescribed cigarettes for one of his patients with irritable bowel syndrome in one episode, so there must be some truth to it.
Now, as a smoker, I'll go so far as to say that it is 'possible' that smoking was initially what weakened my immune system enough for the infection (that eventually causes my lung cancer) to take hold initially, but that is a very low possibility.
Especially so considering the fact that many non-smokers have Lyme, many non-smokers suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, many non-smokers die of lung and other cancers, and there are so many toxins in the environment to begin with that to narrow the cause down to the toxins in cigarettes completely lacks any logic.
One hole in the theory that cigarettes cause lung cancer that has been ignored is that it is VERY possible that those who have an underlying parasitic infection may be more inclined to take up the habit and continue it for decades.
So can you really say without a doubt that it is the cigarette that caused a person's lung cancer or the infection they were trying to suppress by smoking in the first place?
My mom quit smoking 5 years before she was diagnosed with lung cancer, and my neighbor just told me a friend of his was just diagnosed with lung cancer and he had quit 12 years ago.
Here's an article that states smoking actually PROTECTS against lung cancer...
To answer your question though - I feel better when I smoke, most of the time. In fact, on a few occasions, back when air hunger was a major symptom, smoking actually relieved some of my asthmatic symptoms.
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posted
Give me a break. Chemicals are everywhere .
They are in your shampoo, conditioner, hair dye, soap, deodorant, shaving cream, cosmetics, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, air freshener, car exhaust, upholstery, carpeting, polyester, plastics, food - not to mention, in your antibiotics - I could go on and on and on.
Judging from the list above, we're all sinners - not just smokers. But yeah, the number of misCELLaneous sinners outnumbers the smoking sinners, so enjoy.
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Peacesoul
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by tailz:
At least tobacco is a plant.
An Ivy is also a plant, but when ingested is fatal. If a cig was made of only tobacco, 3 cigs a day is also fatal.
posted
Radiation is also lethal, hun.
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Peacesoul
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by tailz: Give me a break. Chemicals are everywhere .
They are in your shampoo, conditioner, hair dye, soap, deodorant, shaving cream, cosmetics, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, air freshener, car exhaust, upholstery, carpeting, polyester, plastics, food - not to mention, in your antibiotics - I could go on and on and on.
EXACTLY, so why add to the list you put here with smoking?! Some chemicals cannot be avoided, some can
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
I am sure you have all heard that some people w/Parkinson's have been told to smoke. I remember this being in the news in the last 10 years or so.
"Parkinson's disease (PD), suggesting that smoking may induce a biological protection against nigral neuronal damage" from pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15372603
Google Parkinsons Disease and cigarette smoking.
My LLMD has said stopping smoking makes no difference to killing LD or not and doesn't force patients to quit. Another LLMD won't treat you unless you committ to a smoking cessation program.
Burrascano says oxygen is needed to kill LD, smoking diminishes oxygen in the body 10-15%.
I wonder why (my grandfather for one smoked until he died at 90) some people can smoke there entire lives and it never has any ill effects. Then there are people like Dana Reeves who never smoked and die of lung cancer.
Recently on Oprah Dr. Oz did an entire show about smoking. He says every smoker, no matter how long you have smoked have a degree of emphysema. Dying of emphysema should be a smokers biggest concern, you lie breathless, unable to breathe, smothering basically and there is nothing doctor's can do to comfort you.
But I totally understand wanting to quit and actually doing it are two entirely different things.
I judge no one, we all have our habits whether it be coffee, sodas, etc. Smoking is no worse than someone who is over eats and is overweight in my opinion, they are unhealthy states - period. In the end we may be hit by a bus and die...who knows - for now we do the best we can.
posted
Because cigarettes also contain arsenic, and something in my cigarettes seems to help. I had occupational levels of arsenic in my bloodstream at one point. Evidently, arsenic offers some benefits to syphilis at least, and this article even mentions Lyme...
Arsenic and syphilis sound like a combination to avoid, but an arsenic-based drug developed in 1907 could offer hope to replace some anti-biotics a century later.
In 1907 Nobel Prize-winner Paul Ehrlich developed, Salvarsan, a highly effective cure for syphilis. Waikato researcher Professor Hugh Morgan and his research team has justgained Marsden Funding to find out why it worked.
That task will involve recreation of Ehrlich's compounds, and extension of his finding that Salvarsan worked against syphilis into a study of why it worked.
In the process Professor Morgan hopes not only to determine the drug's chemical structure, but to work towards the development of treatments effective against other bacteria.
Penicillin long ago superseded arsenic as a treatment for syphilis, but interest in other treatments is growing as concern about anti-biotic resistant bacteria rises.
Professor Morgan has already established that an enzyme common to the bacteria responsible for syphilis, gastroenteritis, intrauterine infections and Lyme disease may be blocked by compounds containing arsenic.
The question is whether compounds similar to Salvarsan can also block the enzyme. If so, the study has the potential to open up new ways of treating antibiotic-resistant infections.
The Marsden Fund has provided $180,000 per year for three years for the research. The research team comprises Professor Hugh Morgan, Dr Ron Ronimus and Professor Brian Nicholson of the University of Waikato, and Dr Stan Moore of Massey University.
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posted
Wow didn't think I'd get so many replies! Yes I know smoking is bad for you, it was just something I was musing over last night. Tobacco isn't what's bad for you, it's all the additives they put into it.
But, it's a thought if there's something in the tobacco that is clearing up the mind, it's worth looking into.
I have ADD to, so when my brain goes blah it really goes blah. I've been trying to quit but, there are way worse things than smoking believe me.
-------------------- C.D.C = "Country Doesn't Care" Ticks are like Snipers, you don't know they're there, until you see the bullseye. Posts: 86 | From Upstate New York | Registered: Jun 2007
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Peacesoul
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by lymebytes: My LLMD has said stopping smoking makes no difference to killing LD or not
Smoking lowers the bodies immunity to fighting infection. LD is an infection. Your LLMD is a medical doctor?
I'm not passing judgement on smokers by the way, I only quit 7 weeks ago and smoked for many years. I'm just in awe of how pathetic that there are some that are actually justifying the health benefits to smoking!
I wonder if your LLMD thinks drinking alcohol or taking heroin does not effect LD
TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
No, it's not your imagination. Nictotine keeps acetylcholine at the synapse. Lyme toxins deplete acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is important for brain function.
You can likely accomplish the same thing for brain function as smoking without the bad health effects by supplementing with things that increase acetylcholine.
There are posts here about which supplements help. Search for acetylcholine.
I'm not a doctor. Check with your doctor before taking supplements.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Smoking is a habit as you know. I'm not justifying, this was a half serious half joking post. As I stated I know smoking is bad for you.
Didn't expect a full blown out debate on whether it's good or bad for you.
-------------------- C.D.C = "Country Doesn't Care" Ticks are like Snipers, you don't know they're there, until you see the bullseye. Posts: 86 | From Upstate New York | Registered: Jun 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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From all that we've gone through and what we've read, it would be uncharacteristic of this bunch to just let a comment about smoking slip on by or treat it lightly. Sorry. And that's mostly because you have stumbled upon a bunch of people here who like to share knowledge so others can feel better.
Sure, we would do anything to feel better. And sometimes the short term approaches override a long-term vision.
But, no matter how it's packaged, hot smoke, ladened with chemicals is caustic to every system of the body. Lyme is seriously difficult to treat even in the very best circumstances.
I think when the lyme is cleared, you'll be amazed at how much better the brain can function.
There are many healthier alternatives to finding ways to support that in the meantime.
Personally, I find Gotu Kola to be a blessing for keeping my brain alert but not wired. And, thank you for this post because I'd forgotten about it. I'm not doing very well lately, and it may be time to revisit that one.
Fish oil helps, too. Good luck with whatever path you decide upon.
at the bottom of this page, you can see a video of Dr. Perlmutter on an "Oprah" program. David Perlmutter, MD, FACN is a Board-Certified Neurologist and Fellow of the American College of Nutrition . . . Dr. Perlmutter was awarded the 2002 Linus Pauling Award for his pioneering work in innovative approaches to neurological disorders. . . .
This is not meant to endorse this particular product - and this list is not the absolute list, if there were to be one. I had been impressed with one of the author's books I got years ago and while searching for him found this. This is a nice outline of some of the nutrients for the nervous system. Much more info. in looking around his sites.
* Coenzyme Q-10 measurably increases the efficiency of cellular energy production, as demonstrated in studies performed at the Massachusetts General Hospital.1 In addition, it serves as a potent brain antioxidant. These effects explain why major institutions worldwide are vigorously evaluating coenzyme Q10 as a therapeutic aid in brain disorders.
* Alpha Lipoic Acid provides powerful antioxidant action and regenerates other important brain antioxidants including vitamins E, C, and glutathione. Unlike other antioxidants, alpha lipoic acid is both fat- and water-soluble, greatly enhancing its ability to be absorbed from the gut and penetrate into the brain.2
* N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) dramatically increases the body's production of glutathione, one of the brain's most important antioxidants.
NAC itself is a potent antioxidant shown to reduce formation of nitric oxide, a free radical implicated for a causative role in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders.3
* Acetyl-L-Carnitine, like coenzyme Q-10, enhances neuronal energy production by transporting fuel sources into the mitochondria -- the energy producing machinery of the neuron. This particularly benefits damaged brain neurons, which are characterized by decreased energy production.
In addition, acetyl-L-carnitine acts as an effective antioxidant and been demonstrated to protect laboratory animals from developing parkinsonism when they are exposed to chemicals known to induce the condition.4 A report in a recent issue of Neurology found that acetyl-L-carnitine profoundly reduces the rate of progression of Alzheimer's disease in younger patients.5
* Vitamin E exhibits profound ability to limit free radical damage in the brain -- the likely explanation of why it outperformed a highly touted "Alzheimer's drug" in clinical trials reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.6
Diets rich in Vitamin E have been shown to reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease by an incredible 61%,7 and to dramatically slow disease progression in already-diagnosed patients when supplemented with vitamin C.8
* Gingko biloba, one of the most extensively studied nutritional supplements for neurodegenerative conditions, directly improves brain metabolism, increases brain blood flow, and provides antioxidant action.
In a placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Gingko biloba not only stabilized Alzheimer's disease, but in addition, many subjects demonstrated an actual improvement noted in various standardized psychological tests.9
* Vitamin D may have even greater ability than vitamin E to quench brain free radicals, as described in several reports. Deficiencies of vitamin D have been found in cases of Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis.10
* Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) is critical for maintaining myelin, the protective coat surrounding each neuron. As with Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with neurodegenerative conditions.
* Phosphatidylserine produces marked memory and learning improvements in demented patients, according to research conducted at Stanford University.11
Like acetyl-L-carnitine and coenzyme Q-10, phosphatidylserine plays an important role in neuronal energy production and chemical communication.
posted
I have to chime in here. I quit smoking 1 1/2 years ago because I ended up in the hospital for 5 days on IV STEROIDS....because I could not breathe. I was only 49 yrs old at the time. It was an absolute nightmare. So I quit, cold turkey...after smoking for 23 years. Not an easy feat, but it had to be done. Right now, as I type this, I am facing the very real possibility of being diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. We are seeing a doctor at Sloan-Kettering in NYC end of this week. I have a tumor marker (antibody) that is coming up positive and is VERY specific to small cell lung cancer. I am furious at myself. How could I have been so stupid to think "oh, nothing bad will happen to me if I smoke". I have 3 beautiful children and 3 beautiful grandchildren. I want to see my grandkids grow up. I may miss out on alot. So PLEASE, do not "endorse" smoking. I DO remember what it was like to be a smoker. I remember justifying it ALL THE TIME. There is no good reason to smoke. No good reason to do that kind of damage to the bodies God gave us. Just my humble and very personal opinion.
-------------------- Corinne Posts: 529 | From Raleigh, NC | Registered: Jun 2006
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Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
God Bless you Corinne.
Posts: 1366 | From Southeast | Registered: Sep 2005
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tailz
Unregistered
posted
quote: Didn't expect a full blown out debate on whether it's good or bad for you.
Welcome to Lymenet;)
Corinne, not to make light of what you may be facing, but you don't think the steroids might have fed an infection in your lungs and one or both of these might have had something to do with your situation?
Microorganisms give off toxins, too. Not just Marlboros.
Regardless, you're in my prayers.
Slappy, maybe your ADD is caused by wireless technology and the fact that it has been shown to disrupt sleep?
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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In certain cases, steroids can save a life.
[edited to add for others: of course, if lyme is a known, specific advance precautions with particular antibiotics are advised]
Corrine,
Thanks for taking the time and emotional energy to write. I hope you see a remarkable improvement soon.
Take care.
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[ 03. June 2008, 11:45 AM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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ByronSBell 2007
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by slappy2779: Wow didn't think I'd get so many replies! Yes I know smoking is bad for you, it was just something I was musing over last night. Tobacco isn't what's bad for you, it's all the additives they put into it.
But, it's a thought if there's something in the tobacco that is clearing up the mind, it's worth looking into.
I have ADD to, so when my brain goes blah it really goes blah. I've been trying to quit but, there are way worse things than smoking believe me.
Your ADD is from vasculitus that 90% of the patients at my clinic have. The fibrin causes less blood flow to the brain and can cause symptoms of ADD and other "thinking" problems, the chances of it being caused by EMF's is 0
ADD can also be from poor diet and a diet with additives and un-natural sugars in it
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posted
Nicotine works on the acetylcholine issues. That is why your brain is "sharper" smoking...you have more acetylcholine via the nicotine receptors....
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