New user, some questions

[Craddock]

Hello, I'm a new user to snus. I've never smoked/chewed/dipped/etc before and was interested in snus once I read about it. After I looked up the health effects of snus vs American snuff and decided to give snus a try.

So I ordered a few different cans about two weeks ago. I got an Elixyr peppermint and energy can and a can of Skruf original and extra. All regular size portions. So I put the Elixyr peppermint in, tried it for a few minutes, then the Skruf original. Both of them for probably 15 minutes each and got dog sick. I feel for people when I watch someone get sick from this kind of stuff when they first try it now. I felt horrible, like I was going to puke. I took a nap, woke up about an hour and a half later and felt much better.

I tried it again there the next night, I had been drinking cause I was out, and put it in for about 30 minutes and then was done with it, couldn't take it anymore, same feeling.

Fast forward to last weekend and I was out drinking, and didn't put one in till I had already had a few beers and I could leave it in till there wasn't any flavor. Putting one in would give me a good buzz in between beers to keep myself in check so I would be legal to drive, so I could leave one in till the flavor was gone and felt fine. I probably went through 5 or 6 pouches a night there last weekend when I was drinking and felt fine. Come Sunday I hadn't had any all day and my roommate wanted some help working on his car and I had one in then until the flavor went away, was fine.

Yesterday I put one in after I get back from class and it makes me dog sick like the first one I put in. Today I try to leave one in and can't hold it for more then 10-15 minutes before I start getting sick.

So, what's the trick with this? I feel great and it gives me a good buzz when I have one in while drinking and the next day. If I'm not drinking or haven't lately I get sick as a dog.

Is this usual for beginners? Any tips to cut back on the sickness? Would it have to do with having an empty stomach (I eat well on the weekends, didn't get sick on the weekend)?

*I'm not an alcoholic, I'm in college and this was the first weekend in a long time I could drink without worrying about a project or big test on Monday.

[MrAbstracto]

You started with some heavy nic snus there. Since you're just starting starting with tobacco I'd recommend mini portions. You don't need that much nic to start off with, let your body get acclimated to it first.


Now cue the responses saying you shouldn't start if you aren't already addicted to nic...

[existone]

Now cue the responses saying you shouldn't start if you aren't already addicted to nic...

Meh, each to his own, if you wanna Snus, Snus! Much rather someone I know start Snusing than dipping/smoking.

Aside from that, I think mini portions are probably the way to go too. I smoked a pack+ a day for years and when I tried Onyx for the first time it still had a wallop to it (not quite sick as a dog, but I definitely knew I was alive haha). If you are into straight tobacco flavor there aren't a plethora of mini options available in the US, you could always try General Mini Mint or CatchDry Eucalyptus. Or do the whole buysnus and wait thing. If you go that route and like flavor, you could try some Mocca Pomegranate too.

Just my humble .02.

[superdevil]

AND- are you bottom lipping it or top lipping it? Bottom lipping will release the nicotine much more quickly, and it will hit you too hard. I had this same problem when I first started snusing.

And I second Mr. Abstracto's reasoning. I've been snusing for a year now and I still don't like strong portions, they hit me not quite as hard as they hit you, but still hard enough to be unpleasant. Try a mini protion and work your way up from there.

[Craddock]

Yeah looking back I wish I started with the mini pouches, but I've already got a few cans now and don't want to waste them. I bought them off the Northerner. I've been changing it up top and bottom lip. I just don't see why I could handle it so well when I was out drinking but I can't handle it without.

I really like the buzz I get from it when I'm drinking, keeps me on that level in between beers. Next time I order some I'm going to order some small pouches.

I figured it was nicotine OD that got me sick and gave away that Skruf strong I bought.

Thanks for the advice/help.

[existone]

Skruf strong probably would kick my butt if I was not a smoker prior to Snusing. As far as bottom lip goes, I avoid it. Top lip only for me when it comes to Snus.

[Roo]

OK I'll be the one to do it...

You are getting sick because your body does not want nicotine. Listen to it. Don't use it. What kind of sense does it make to intentionally adopt a life-long, expensive and health-damaging craving to a drug your body does not need? For the buzz?? Argh!

If I could go back to when I first decided to use tobacco, because I wanted the buzz (chew in 8th grade) and because all my friends smoked (cigs at 15) I would smack myself upside the head. You have no idea how hard it is to quit nicotine. So do it now while it's easy, and while your body doesn't want it!! Just my 2 cents. Snus is a great tobacco ALTERNATIVE, because I'm a nicotine addict and it's healthier than other options (plus many more reasons). But just consider what you are getting yourself into. Addictions suck, brother. Hope I'm not coming off as a dick, I am just so surprised when people post asking about snus when they don't use any tobacco to begin with.

[rickcharles606]

OK I'll be the one to do it...

You are getting sick because your body does not want nicotine. Listen to it. Don't use it. What kind of sense does it make to intentionally adopt a life-long, expensive and health-damaging craving to a drug your body does not need? For the buzz?? Argh!

If I could go back to when I first decided to use tobacco, because I wanted the buzz (chew in 8th grade) and because all my friends smoked (cigs at 15) I would smack myself upside the head. You have no idea how hard it is to quit nicotine. So do it now while it's easy, and while your body doesn't want it!! Just my 2 cents. Snus is a great tobacco ALTERNATIVE, because I'm a nicotine addict and it's healthier than other options (plus many more reasons). But just consider what you are getting yourself into. Addictions suck, brother. Hope I'm not coming off as a dick, I am just so surprised when people post asking about snus when they don't use any tobacco to begin with.

ditto! aaaaand cocaine is easier to quit than nicotine, you should not allow yourself to be nicotine's bitch...

[ShaulWolf]

Roo's got a point. Body is reacting to a toxin that gives one hell of a buzz. But, if you really are intent and happy with snusing, then I won't say any more.

Now that that's out of the way...

Using tobacco on an empty stomach will knock you on your ass, at least if the nicotine content is relatively high. For you, I'd make sure not to snus without having something decent in your belly. Same thing happened with me and cigars. If I smoked one of the stronger cigars I have on an empty stomach my head would be spinning and I'd be riding one hell of a nicotine buzz.

Also, regular portions for you would be like strong portions for someone who's already been using tobacco. Strong portions for you would be overkill at this point.

If you want, you can get a couple cans of minis and store the snus in a fridge. If you don't have a fridge you can ziploc the cans (make sure to get all the excess air out) and keep it in a cooler full of ice. If the cooler has a top compartment that stays pretty cold then that'd do just fine too. By keeping the snus stored in a nice cool and relatively dry environment you can keep it fresh for a while.

[Dgtl Dvnt]

Newbie Too

Craddock -- I'm new to snus (and this forum) as well. I started with camel frost and went through the 15 pack tin in 2 days, so it must be much weaker than the real stuff. I then bought general; white portions (reg and wintergreen), loose, and mini mint.

I've been using the mini mint throughout the day @ work and haven't felt sick at all. Last night I was enjoying the white portions but after about 30 minutes I started to feel a little off. I took the portion out and felt normal after about an hour.

I would have to agree with Roo and the others. It's the high dose of nicotine.

I used to smoke, but never during the week and really only when I was drinking. When I was drinking I'd smoke a pack a night no problem. If I did that sober I'm sure I would be sick.

I'm going to stick with the mini mint for now, but do you guys have any suggestions for when I try the loose? I assume I can just bake a smaller pris and be fine. Is this an accurate assumption?

[ddandb]

Leave the new guy alone.

Anyone that's smart enough to drink and drive can make up his own mind about the wise decision of using nicotine. :lol:

[Craddock]

Leave the new guy alone.

Anyone that's smart enough to drink and drive can make up his own mind about the wise decision of using nicotine. :lol:

I said it holds me over so I can keep the right amount. It's not illegal to have one or two and drive. If I've got something in it helps to keep me at one an hour.

[ddandb]

My mistake.
I thought you said you were out drinking and a had a few beers.

[TBD]

Re: Newbie Too

I'm going to stick with the mini mint for now, but do you guys have any suggestions for when I try the loose? I assume I can just bake a smaller pris and be fine. Is this an accurate assumption?

Your assumption is correct. A smaller pris will give less nicotine.

[deebocools]

ok man, the one drink per hour thing is a vast oversimplification. your BAC is dependent on how much you had to eat, your size to begin with, and how long you've been drinking. As you keep drinking your system slows down and processes alcohol slower, so your BAC rises. even if you keep a steady pace.

the 2 biggest causes of death before diseases set in is suicide and car accidents. It may not be illegal to drive with a .07, but it's ****ing stupid. If you're going to drink and can't crash there, sleep in your car. If it's not comfortable, get more drunk.

This is not coming from a puritan, When I have money I drink like a fish. but don't believe the myths about 1 drink per hour, coffee and cold showers to sober up, just drinking water, etcetera.