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Cigar Hangover

morcerf

New Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2009
Messages
133
I see this has been discussed before, but I thought I would share my cherry-popping experience.

Two weekends prior I was in the mood for aromatherapy via tobacco. So I lit a Casa Magna Colorado Robusto after eating what I thought was a sufficient lunch (chicken/lettuce wrap, apple). Along with the cigar I had a large cafe latte (& water as well). I enjoyed the smoke as I alternately read & walked around my yard, delighting as the sunshine melted a spring snow & left a vibrant green in its wake.

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I only ever felt a slight buzz but I was puffing a lot at times :whistling: due to burn issues. The trouble arose after I finished the cigar (essentially to its nub). I began to feel somewhat sick to my stomach along with being slightly dizzy & ended up lying down & taking a nap for a few hours. Before I fell asleep I was fighting back the feeling of oncoming vomit for some time but thankfully managed to avoid it. I don't know if the caffeine conspired with the (full-bodied?) smoke to overpower me given the lunch I had or if it was merely too strong for me at this point in general. The rest of that evening I continued to feel ill if I smelled the remnants of smoke on my hands or clothes therefore resulting in the necessity of a shower to rid myself of the unpleasant odor.

Over the next few days my appetite for a cigar returned to normal levels (I partake approximately once a week). However, this past Saturday after a steak bbq I lit a La Gloria Cubana Wavell (natural). Though I never felt ill whilst smoking it or afterwards, I did not particularly enjoy the session either as it brought back memories of unpleasant after-effects.

I am curious if any of you have experienced that which I described & if you could recommend any antidotes (smoke more, right?). It seems like getting a bit sick from a strong cigar is not uncommon, but how long does it typically take to get back into the saddle? During my binge drinking days I had similar affairs with alcohol, eventually overcoming the nausea inducing triggers over time (a few weeks). I've read that sugar can help to combat the nicotine buzz but a coke didn't sound good once it hit. I did have some lemonade towards the end of the smoke, but that didn't seem to help. Do I need not combine espresso & tobacco or did I simply reach for the secret too soon, & need to patiently work my way up to fuller-bodied cigars?

Given that I just picked up what look to be some stronger cigars in a newbie trade, I'm a bit concerned (read: scared ???) as nicotine sickness really does not enhance the experience.
 
Combining nicotine and caffeine may cause a buzz if you're not used to consuming both at the same time. I always drink when I smoke, and I only smoke after I've eaten, usually. Unless you have a nicotine tolerance built up, you're going to feel sick after smoking a stronger cigar. If you ever get that feeling again, down a sugar packet. You don't necessarily have to drink Coke; it's the sugar in the Coke that combats the ill effects of nicotine. Does something to the chemical make-up.

My advice: eat a decent size meal before smoking, and don't mix a strong cigar with strong coffee. :) Especially if you only smoke once a week.

Good luck!
 
I was out smoking one night and some newbs came in. I forgot what they were smoking. I think they were some Davioffs or something. At any rate they both got a nicotine attack and suggested the sugar pack remedy. It worked like a charm and they were very grateful.
 
I always drink water when I have a cigar unless I am drinking beer although I still will usually have some water especially with a full body cigar so I don't get sick. I smoke a LX2 recently on an empty stomach and got a huge rush then felt sick.
 
I've been fortunate in not having many of those "sick" feelings after a strong cigar. For whatever reason, it doesn't bother me that much.

However, I have a different type of hangover. This last weekend is a good example. I smoked 3-4 cigars Friday, another 3 or so Saturday and yesterday I had 5. Today I am in no way, shape or fashion in the mood to even think about smoking a cigar. I had a similar weekend a few weeks ago and it took me several days for that desire to return.
 
and don't mix a strong cigar with strong coffee. :) Especially if you only smoke once a week.
Sage advice that I will heed from now on.

I smoked 3-4 cigars Friday, another 3 or so Saturday and yesterday I had 5. Today I am in no way, shape or fashion in the mood to even think about smoking a cigar. I had a similar weekend a few weeks ago and it took me several days for that desire to return.
I'm almost certain that would literally kill me.
 
I have tried drinking a coke or other beverage with sugar in it and that did not help. I have taken a teaspoon or two of sugar and it worked. It is not an instant cure, but it works pretty fast.

I may have tablespoons on stand-by when I smoke my Lx2.
 
For me, personally, as long as I eat a decently-sized solid meal (literally--solid; nothing liquidy or gooey or soft like mashed potatoes or oatmeal) beforehand, I virtually never get sick from alcohol or tobacco unless I just happen to overdo it by far.

Also eat familiar spices. If you're used to eating American cuisine, don't go to a restaurant that uses lots of spices you're not used to eating--i.e. Indian food. I had Southwestern Asian food just this New Year's and couldn't really stomach a shot or finish a cigarette. Not fun. :(
 
Something else to consider is the way you smoke. Are you a wet smoker? It has been discussed that the amount of moisture/saliva can directly effect the amount of nicotine transferred to you.

Some medicial products are giving sub-lingually, under the tongue, so it stands to reason that if you are a wet smoker the the nicotine could transfer from the tobacco to your lips/saliva and then under your tongue. Thus increase the severity and onset of your "buzz."

As far as dealing with the symptoms, there ideas above have all worked for me. Sometimes I like to keep chocolate on hand, other times it's a coke or a pack of sugar.
 
Best thing to do is just curl up in a little ball (fetal position) and pray for it to end.

On a more serious note, I would definitely suggest what Rod and others have stated and that is, make sure you have something of substance in your stomach before embarking on a robust cigar. Also, it will get better the more you smoke. I remember about 3 years ago (was is that long ago??) when I was in KC for an Outlaw Padron event and after a heavy night of drinking, I decided (around noon) to smoke a PAM followed up by a Padron 1926, due to the advice of Brad (Mr. Balls)... oh yeah, I was also consuming some tasty micro brews on tap at the time on an empty stomach. Needless to say, about two hours later into my thoughtless affair, I had to run to my car and just sit in my seat for about 20-30 minutes until I was able to resume some sort of sanity. My head was turning my stomach felt like hell and I thought I was going to pass out. However, when I returned, I quickly ate some of the BBQ that was available and all was well. I'm happy to say that when I came back I was able to continue smoking, drinking, and most of all, have a good time... that is, until later that night when I made another intelligent decision to visit one of the casinos where I lost the rest of my spending money.

I'm sure that probably doesn't help too much but it just brought back some memories. Thanks, Brad! :D
 
Something else to consider is the way you smoke. Are you a wet smoker? It has been discussed that the amount of moisture/saliva can directly effect the amount of nicotine transferred to you.

Some medicial products are giving sub-lingually, under the tongue, so it stands to reason that if you are a wet smoker the the nicotine could transfer from the tobacco to your lips/saliva and then under your tongue. Thus increase the severity and onset of your "buzz."

As far as dealing with the symptoms, there ideas above have all worked for me. Sometimes I like to keep chocolate on hand, other times it's a coke or a pack of sugar.

Oh wow, that's new to me. My dentist told me that my mouth produces an unusually large amount of saliva, so the end of my cigar always gets decently wet.
 
I've been fortunate in not having many of those "sick" feelings after a strong cigar. For whatever reason, it doesn't bother me that much.

However, I have a different type of hangover. This last weekend is a good example. I smoked 3-4 cigars Friday, another 3 or so Saturday and yesterday I had 5. Today I am in no way, shape or fashion in the mood to even think about smoking a cigar. I had a similar weekend a few weeks ago and it took me several days for that desire to return.
I have the same exact feeling. I usually have a cigar, and want one about 3 days after. Pipe on the other hand is a different story. I could smoke that all day everyday
 
I had the same experience recently with a LFD Double Ligero Chisel. (Yeah I know what you're all thinking)

I had it at a cigar lounge and honestly didn't feel comfortable driving after. I felt almost drunk. I picked up a candy bar and some Mt. Dew at a gas station and waited in my car for 30 minutes or so until I came back around. I had never experienced anything like it. After that incident I always smoke on a full stomach and keep sugar handy in case i need it. I've also bought 3 more chisels because I need to know if its that cigar or just the moment that did it!
 
I often do what you did, take a 45 minute nap.
It helps to drink something with sugar in it, like
iced tea, while smoking. I also try to smoke after
a meal.

Everyone gets a nic attack here and there. No big
deal. I'm ready to smoke at my next regular rotation,
which is either every other day, or next golf round,
which could be the next day, except in winter.

If I know I can't eat before smokingI always take a
mild smoke, and just drink something with it, if possible.

Chemyst :cool:
 
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. So no one finds it difficult to go back to a cigar after a few days?

I especially enjoyed the comments on my choice of reading. :D I look forward to the summer so I can sit in my backyard at midnight & contemplate Bowman's journey through the star gate while smoking & perhaps listening to Also Sprach Zarathustra.

I've finished that however & was pleased as I read the 1st line of my next book:

"Cigars had burned low, and we were beginning to sample the disillusionment that usually afflicts old school friends who have met again as men and found themselves with less in common than they had believed they had."

Subsequent cigars are lit before the chapter is over, & in the next, a character lights up as the group appears to be headed for their imminent doom. :cool:
 
With this group I'm not sure anything could make it difficult to go back to a cigar :laugh:
 
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