Nicotine and workouts

[dk8594]

I quit tobacco about 17 years ago. I have been using nicotine gum ever since. Two days ago I substantially reduced my consumption going from 20 pieces to about 6. I did legs today and it was definitely different and a different kind of fatigue. I went up in reps/ and or weights with each exercise but it felt a lot less like total exhaustion and more like general muscle fatigue....probably could have spent another hour there.

Anyone else who had quit tobacco notice a change in workouts? I would expect ex smokers to be able to breath better, but any other observations?

 

[Jin]

You are saying you noticed an increase in performance without nicotine?

Opposite of my understanding. Interesting.

 

[dk8594]

You are saying you noticed an increase in performance without nicotine?

Opposite of my understanding. Interesting.

The fatigue was different. Typically super set leg press to failure with leg extensions to failure. The fatigue was less global and more focused in my legs. Thinking it’s cardio vascular related and had to do with nicotine narrowing the arteries?

 

[Skullcrusher]

In the past when I have quit it was like a detox.

Smoking deprives the muscles of oxygen. Muscles need oxygen to grow.

Nicotine in general raises cortisol. It's a stimulant with a sedative effect.

Increases stress even though we think it helps us relax.

So maybe what you experienced is a small taste of less stress/cortisol.

There are also many biochemical things it causes. One is arginine.

So take some L-Arginine or L-Citrulline to increase blood flow

 

[Skullcrusher]

Nicotine Effects
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Nicotine-Effects.aspx

 

[andy]

never tried ... ))

 

[HollyWoodCole]

I quit smoking this year after 20+ years of that horrible habit.

I've been through a great deal of change over the last 4ish months, everything feels different. Even had some bouts with Afib for awhile but that has thankfully subsided. Quitting sucked so much more than the daily grind of actually smoking that I nearly started back a few times.

DK, you've been one of my faves to follow on the board for a long time. I think you bring a great deal of intelligence and structure to the table that is becoming increasingly rare. That being said, I'm kind of surprised you would continue using this gum when you're aware it does not bring you any health benefits. On the contrary, it brings multiple adverse affects as you already know.

Having been addicted to smoking it's tough for me to understand being addicted to the gum, but I can certainly see how it would happen. I would personally advise you quit, now. I've seen family members and friends get their toes/feet/legs amputated due to years of chronic nicotine abuse causing permanent constriction of the blood vessels in those extremities. The limbs literally die right on the body, go gangrenous, and have to be cut off. This happened to my oldest aunt just last year.

 

[DieYoungStrong]

I'm with you. I dipped for 20 years and quit last January. Started chewing on nicotine pouches. Now I can't stop that.

I guess everyone needs one bad habit in their life, right?

 

[dk8594]

I quit smoking this year after 20+ years of that horrible habit.

I've been through a great deal of change over the last 4ish months, everything feels different. Even had some bouts with Afib for awhile but that has thankfully subsided. Quitting sucked so much more than the daily grind of actually smoking that I nearly started back a few times.

DK, you've been one of my faves to follow on the board for a long time. I think you bring a great deal of intelligence and structure to the table that is becoming increasingly rare. That being said, I'm kind of surprised you would continue using this gum when you're aware it does not bring you any health benefits. On the contrary, it brings multiple adverse affects as you already know.

Having been addicted to smoking it's tough for me to understand being addicted to the gum, but I can certainly see how it would happen. I would personally advise you quit, now. I've seen family members and friends get their toes/feet/legs amputated due to years of chronic nicotine abuse causing permanent constriction of the blood vessels in those extremities. The limbs literally die right on the body, go gangrenous, and have to be cut off. This happened to my oldest aunt just last year.

Thanks for the kind words and the reality check cole. Not an excuse by any means, but I started chewing tobacco as a teen as an alternative to smoking. Not sure if you experienced this or not, but as a teen I had to perform some sort of rebellious act and that was it. I quit that when I started dating my wife (didn't want to scare her off with what I know is a gross habit) and have chewed the gum ever since.

But fuk.......I think you just guilted me into guitting it. Look for a log starting tomorrow (I have 10 more pieces left to get through today) and I'm cheap and stubborn enough that I know I won't buy more after being publicly called out.

Your true fiends tell it to you like it is and call you when you are being stupid. Thanks.

 

[dk8594]

Thanks for the kind words and the reality check cole. Not an excuse by any means, but I started chewing tobacco as a teen as an alternative to smoking. Not sure if you experienced this or not, but as a teen I had to perform some sort of rebellious act and that was it. I quit that when I started dating my wife (didn't want to scare her off with what I know is a gross habit) and have chewed the gum ever since.

But fuk.......I think you just guilted me into guitting it. Look for a log starting tomorrow (I have 10 more pieces left to get through today) and I'm cheap and stubborn enough that I know I won't buy more after being publicly called out.

Your true fiends tell it to you like it is and call you when you are being stupid. Thanks.

Proof that I've cut down...........my horrendous number of typos. just took a look at my response. Glad you can decipher it lol

 

[HollyWoodCole]

Now THAT is a log I would love to read my friend, truly.

I completely understand, smoking was the same thing for me. Started in high school since I grew up in a small southern town in the middle of tobacco country, it was just the thing to do. Watching my aunt go through everything she did was terrible for the family, I can't imagine what she went through and it nearly got me to quit. It was when a very healthy non-smoking friend of mine caught COVID and it nearly killed her that I was done. I haven't even looked back.

I have to say, nothing owns me at this point and it's nice. I have no vices. When I quit smoking I also ended up quitting drinking since they go hand-in-hand, and I feel completely different.

 

[Seeker]

I quit like 7 years ago. I definitely smell better, lol. I sleep better, overall life and health is just better. Even through some damn tough times I look back and glad I had already quit. Smoking like a chimney is fuking depressing

 

[ATLRigger]

I chew tobacco. It is good for the nerves when you work at height. I put my life on the line every day when i go up.
Pilots used to drink a couple beers. I chew a plug.

 

[lasttren]

Started to vape 1 year ago. Could do 25 reps squat no problem, now just 10 reps and i'm out of breath. I will quit soon, i promise lol

 

[Methyl mike]

I chew tobacco. It is good for the nerves when you work at height. I put my life on the line every day when i go up.
Pilots used to drink a couple beers. I chew a plug.

Switch to zyn or On pouches they are not made from tobacco and carry less risk. Nicotine is still a vasoconstrictor but at least the pouches won't give you cancer.

 

[Bro Bundy]

I just smoke bud

 

[Bromber]

I switched from cigarettes to disposable vapes. Vaping is less harmful than smoking