Snus vs Cigs for depression

[reeviint]

Been off the meds for a couple of years now, and my 90% snus 10% cigs diet seems to work quiet well for me. Still gfet a bit down at times, but nothing out of the ordinary.

[Elzbieta]

Absolutely, everyone is different, it took me only 4 days 2 quit when started using snus. I smoked between a pack in half to 2 packs daily. Once in awhile my hands want a sig but I just keep the snus close. Try redirecting your mind when you want a sig. Keep the snus very close by. It will happen. Snus took my cravings away.
supported living community

[SnuserSnuffer]

Its been a year almost since my postings. Ive mainly been snusing but went back to smoking for a month. Idk, kinda personal shit... but have been having suicidal thoughts but i guess since i started smoking a bit more they subsided..

I guess the maoi effects of tobacco smoke are more researched.. its so awesome to snus..

Neways

[hokiehi82]

Seriously dude. Don't try to self-medicate suicidal thoughts with tobacco. That's something I would strongly urge you to see a professional about. When its got to that point its extremely harmful to think you can use any substance as a panacea to cute al of these problems.

[nicotine]

I had similar issues (and various other life-long issues) and one particular medication (or drug) was not the answer; especially one such as nicotine. Stability is key for good mental health. Even if nicotine worked wonders as an antidepressant, it has an incredibly short duration compared to most antidepressant/antipsychotic/antianxiety medication. Even in the most militant nicotine addicts who use in such a way as to have somewhat consistent levels in their bloodstream, it will still fluctuate quite a bit. For example, unless you want to be getting up every 1-2 hours in the middle of the night to swap portions or smoke a cigarette, you're going to have issues in the morning with depression/anxiety, until you build it back up again, and then the cycle starts all over. Plus, if you end up in position where you absolutely cannot smoke, or if you're, for some reason, unable to use snus, you'll be back to where you were--essentially "unmedicated."

If you've been having suicidal thoughts, even passive ones (thoughts which you aren't seriously considering acting upon, but that just pass by), it's time to get an appointment with a qualified and competent psychiatrist--yes, the kind who's able to prescribe medication. If he or she deems it necessary or thinks you may benefit from adjunct therapy sessions, then they'll generally provide a referral. I'm currently on a few psych meds, and while it took quite a bit of time to get the doses and meds worked out (not too much and groggy, and not too little and still experiencing symptoms), I can say with confidence it's been worth it. I haven't had suicidal thoughts for well over two years now, and I feel better and more stable than I ever have.

Nicotine maintainance is a major part of my stability. It does seem to provide some benefit overall, but I have the rest of the medications as backup when my snus isn't around.

Oh, and marijuana was also brought up in this thread. I have no doubt that if used correctly, it could be a wonderful medication. A low-dose of a standardized (to a particular ratio of THC/CBD/etc) strain of marijuana, ingested at somewhat precise intervals 2-3 times daily would probably be incredibly beneficial. Realistically, this isn't something that you're going to have easy access to. If you're getting it off the streets, all bets are off. Until it's regulated, you'll end up with too potent marijuana sometimes, and/or random ratios of THC/CBD other times, that won't be consistent from dose to dose, or day to day. If you live in an area where you can get prescribed medical marijuana, you could certainly try it, but in that case, it'd be best to do so under an informed medical professional who's dealt with this before.

I know this is a long post, but I feel like what I say may offer some sort of help--even if it's a small amount.

Good luck.

Edit: I forgot about the nicotine patch, which provides a fairly consistent dose of nicotine throughout the day, although I really do doubt that's a viable long-term solution. Not to mention the patch falls off at random times during the day, especially in hot weather and during work/exercise...