Does Nicotine Help Ease Anxiety and Panic Attacks?
I get extremely bad anxiety attacks and panic attacks, that flare up out of nowhere and they bother me. I dont like drugs or medication, i like to stay natural. I smoke an occasional black and mild every month or so to help calm me down but not often because i dont want to become addicted. I noticed that the nicotine helps calm and relax me.
But does anyone know if it is proven to help calm it down or worsen it?
Thank you very much (and please, serious people only. I know ciggarettes and cigars kill you so please dont answer with that)
Excellent answers my friends and to the person with the Wiki site.It was very informative. Thank you all very much, reading your answers alone helped me get over an attack =] Thanks!!
The website should really explain it but here’s a brief: Nicotine is a stimulant so it doesn’t really relax your body but momentarily acts as a mild sedative to the brain. It mostly increases alertness, heart rate and blood pressure, which may in turn cause more anxiety in the long run.
Comments
Comment from marie L
Time January 28, 2010 at 6:45 am
The website should really explain it but here’s a brief: Nicotine is a stimulant so it doesn’t really relax your body but momentarily acts as a mild sedative to the brain. It mostly increases alertness, heart rate and blood pressure, which may in turn cause more anxiety in the long run.
References :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicotine
Comment from tholeeder
Time January 28, 2010 at 7:01 am
i quit smoking 20 yrs ago . take my word if you don’t smoke ,then you won’t need a smoke to calm you down.people who smoke need a "fix" ever so often if they are late getting it they start withdrawal "anxiety/panic" ,and need the smoke to calm down.it won’t calm your nerves from any other cause,trust me i was a 2 pack a day deep inhaler for yrs.
References :
Comment from Christina
Time January 28, 2010 at 7:21 am
I very much agree with Matt L. The calm feeling doesn’t last long and before you know it your addicted.
I would like to add – for any person suffering from stress and anxiety meditation is definitely the answer. Thousands of people worldwide have been able to do away with their anxiety medication, and meditation has been their source of strength and change. To relieve stress and anxiety meditation is a natural and effective source and more and more doctors are recommending meditation to cure many stress related illnesses. While in a state of deep rumination, affirmations, imagery and visualizations have a powerful impact on your thought processes, giving you the opportunity to heal yourself of anxiety.
The best way to understand how meditation can help with anxiety and stress is by giving consideration to a couple of examples:-
For panic attacks and anxiety meditation with visualization and breathing will help.
Let’s say you experience a panic attack when you are in a crowd, becoming overwhelmed by a feeling of claustrophobia and extreme unease. It is as though a sense of pure dread fills every cell of your body, and you don’t know exactly what, but feel something really bad is going to happen. Of course, it isn’t, but for some reason your brain is wired to think the worst possible thoughts when this situation arises.
To read more or to take advantage of the free meditation course on offer follow this link –
http://www.project-meditation.org/gt/free_meditation_course
References :
http://www.project-meditation.org/gt/free_meditation_course
Comment from Matt L
Time January 28, 2010 at 6:01 am
Most people experience a relaxing or euphoric feeling when first smoking. This feeling however lasts for a very short time and is often followed by increased heart rate and restlessness. This is when chain smokers would light up another one. It’s how the addiction all gets started.
References :