Buzz or not to Buzz

[tippexx]

[QUOTE=Jaype;98787] or again when I'm not taking my time with a big cigar (usually over 50). I don't usually get a 'whiteout' buzz and I'm rarely nausious.


... which is sort of an issue sometimes. I try to follow the puff-a-minute routine and don't inhale in any big way. But as for most of us my smoking has become solitary. Smoking a cigar does take time and if that's all I'm doing I can quickly become bored with my own company .... and perhapts without realising it do rush a bit.

[El Catador]

(super dry tongue morning + hangover = horrible start to any day)

Yep, that's the one I'm talking about!

I believe smoke speed (and therefore smoke heat) are what it's usually attributed to.

Do you know, now that I think about it, you may be onto something there!
I tend to experience it from cigars that have 'burn' issues. Typically: ones that are over humidified etc.
More often than not, I end up smoking them too harshly (double drawing etc), so they're on the hot side by the end.
Sir, you have already earned yourself a place in the Pantheon of cigar smokers (and you've only just got here!).
Nice call.

OK, as you were, back to the topic in question. Sorry Tip.

[tippexx]

OK, as you were, back to the topic in question. Sorry Tip.

Threadjacker! But what Jaype say's is I think relevant .... as is your point about double-drawing on slightly over humidified cigars .... so forgiven .... THIS TIME!

[rokkitsci]

Must be a metabolism thing.

I inhale every puff. Usually fire up my first stogie before 6 a.m. with only a cup of coffee. So it isn't how you smoke or when you smoke.

Gotta be you.

hth

[Soft Top]

When I smoked cigarettes I used to inhale the whole thing but I'd die if I tried that now. I have only ever experienced 1 slight wooziness after chain smoking 3 at a wedding. Pushed through it and stopped the gars for few hours and asll was OK.

I'm glad I don't really have any problems as t must be a bit of a downer when you are looking forward to a smoke then feel dodgy soon after starting.

Of course I've maybe no had anything too strong so far!

[cj121]

I personally never get that whitey, woozy thing. This might be due to being a regular smoker and the Vitamin N not effecting me as much. Maybe.

I'd quite like to get a hit off a cigar now and again, tbh, for the experience.

[r0lan6]

Interesting. Obviously we all know tobacco to be a stimulant directly affecting blood pressure which consequently leads to cardiovascular-related side-effects including light-headedness, nausea, and that so-called "buzz". Many have mentioned a number of factors that can exacerbate this issue, including passive smoking (indirect inhaling of smoke) which El Catador had highlighted. You did say that you do not inhale, but inhaling smoke (no matter how little) is an inevitability with cigars. Perhaps room ventilation, maybe even the technique of blowing through your nasal cavity? I can think of so many factors which many of the other guys have already mentioned.

My advice would be to see your GP. Dizziness every time you smoke a cigar is certainly not healthy. I am sure nothing is wrong with you but to be on the safe side do see your family doctor.

[daverave999]

I like the hit as long as it doesn't go into the feeling ill territory. I think a lot of it has to do with how often you smoke. I used to smoke cigarettes so am relatively used to nicotine, though I am affected more now I only smoke cigars a couple of times a week.

You ever been a cigarette smoker Arf?

[leperaffinity]

i had a bit of a head rush from my bolivar the other week..but nothing that i could class as dizzy. just dont draw as deep, nice drink of water with you and relax..youll be fine!



...or just dont smoke big boys cigars...leave those for me and Dave?

[68TriShield]

I personally never get that whitey, woozy thing. This might be due to being a regular smoker and the Vitamin N not effecting me as much. Maybe.

this is my line of thought as well.

[tippexx]

I like the hit as long as it doesn't go into the feeling ill territory. I think a lot of it has to do with how often you smoke. I used to smoke cigarettes so am relatively used to nicotine, though I am affected more now I only smoke cigars a couple of times a week.

You ever been a cigarette smoker Arf?

I was but not for 20 years at least now Dave. Although I have to admit I do get through a fair few mini's per day! They're no problem though!

[jibjob79]

Tend to only get that buzz feeling if i haven't eaten before smoking or trying a large, strong cigar for the first time and misjudge it and smoke it a little too fast. I also get a smaller buzz if i smoke being a bit dehydrated or with low blood sugar. I also enjoy the experience of smoking better if i prepare by eating properly beforehand although if i am a little dehydrated i find my taste buds bring out more intense peppery flavours.

[captain duff]

The lightheaded feeling/buzz etc is all from the nicotine. A large cigar is the equivilent of perhaps a couple of packets of cigs in nicotine content, which is a problem if you are not a ciggy smoker or regularly heavy cigar smoker as the drug creates stronger peaks in your body's reaction (a regular smoker builds up a tolerance to the drug). I'm guessing as well that like any other drug (alcohol for example) some peoples limits and reactions to it are higher or lower than others. I too sufer the problem sometimes as I have never smoked cigs (couldn't see the point) and maybe have only between 3-4 'proper' cigars a week at most.

So what do you do? Well, slow down your smoking speed is a biggy here. Also closely monitor how much smoke is getting to your lungs - however the nicotine will still be absorbed through your mouth regardless. If it is the case that you like a strong cigar flavour but have an issue with the nicotine hit then really the only answer is to switch to smaller sizes of the stronger brands (the small partagas spring to mind), unless you really want to waste money by leaving lots of a large cigar, or feel sick each time and so ruin the experience...

[Lee Nub]

This has been a very interesting thread. I think everyones theories play a part in it. I do like Georges theory that it may be metabolism. I have never smoked anything in my life until last August, yet I favour the largest ring gauges available. I'm never happier than when I have a 60 + ring gauge in my mouth lol.

[captain duff]

Yes Lee, although that is because it is linked to the speed of absorbtion of the nicotine into your bloodstream. Its the same in many ways to alcohol - drink on an empty stomach, or early in the morning, and the effects are so much greater/quicker. Also, don't forget that nicotine in drug terminology is a 'downer', which is why it works well as a relaxation aid (like cannibis, but let's not go there!). But because of this it's interaction with other drugs becomes quite interesting - alcohol is also a downer so there is a complimentary relationship to be had between the two of them, however if you take another common drug caffine, that is a 'upper' and I suspect that the combination of strong coffee with a high caffine content can and probably does mitigate some of the effects of nicotine on the body, thereby allowing a bigger smoke if you will, so the combination there also works but for different reasons to alcohol. In terms of the talk about blood-sugar, then again a 'sugar rush' provides a short-term metabolism boost which will effect the speed the nicotine is broken down inside the body...