I do want to tell you that you don’t really feel what you feel. I see it as a debate, “Should manson1972 smoke?” where you have said ‘yes, because smoking feels relaxing’ and I take the position that no, manson1972 should not smoke and neither should anyone else. I only pursue this discussion in this particular forum, in the name of fighting ignorance (yours or mine or others who happen upon this thread). I don’t mean to come across as domineering, and it is not my place to compel you or anyone else to stop smoking. Your rationale is incompatible with my worldview, therefore either I am ignorant, you are ignorant, or we can agree to disagree. Usually in these situations it is I who ends up being ignorant though not necessarily wrong. Engaging in discussion is educational for at least one side in any case. I could learn to adjust my worldview; you could learn to adjust yours; we both could learn why people take the other position instead of thinking to ourselves, “that seems strange to me”.
That being said, I am still researching the psychological and neurological effects of smoking and nicotine in particular, so as to present a better argument than “people say smoking is bad and you are wrong for thinking otherwise”. So the ball is in my court. I’ve been learning a lot about physiology, pharmacology, and even psychology so far. While I’m not yet ready to support the argument that your feelings are illusory, I wanted to make clear that this is the argument I have been and will be making.
When you are addicted to something by definition you are getting anxiety around it, especially around dose times. When you ingest you get a release. It will probably be the best you feel all day. If you call that “relaxed” it is with a big asterisk.
When someone says they feel more relaxed after smoking, there is nothing more to say. You should add a data point for why someone would choose to smoke, thank them, and keep it moving.
I can’t help thinking about the ancient Death by 1000 Cuts execution method. In a nutshell, the victim is tied to a pole, fed a massive dose of opium, and then they begin. Snip, snip, snip, apparently from the bottom up they methodically slice the guy to pieces. He is so high on opium he thinks he is having a grand time, but every observer can tell otherwise.
Yes, it’s a stupid habit. One that is unhealthy. But unless you are on my deck or in my car, it doesn’t affect you in any way. One day I’ll quit. But a person has to WANT to quit, or else it won’t be effective. I started because people went on smoke breaks in the military, and I had to stay back and work. I didn’t start smoking until I was 23 or 24.
I look forward to other thread topics like “Why Would Anyone Shoot Heroin?” and “Why Would Anyone Eat Until They Are 600 Pounds?”
Well yeah, but I was going for more of a lurid illustration of how drugs + your brain = illusion sometimes. Pretty much the opposite of, “Trust your feelings, Luke.”
