Cigar Smoking And Anxiety

[Turbolag]

I wasn't sure where to post this, and I apologize if this is in the wrong area.
 
So I have anxiety issues, but I love cigars and pipes. 
 
Last year I had a couple days where I had too many cigars and I got a panic attack later that night. After that my consumption of cigars slowed down a lot. 
 
Fast forward to about 3 months ago, I was smoking a Opus X that I had been saving. This was my second Opus. 
 
The first one I had gave me a huge buzz and relaxed me (No i don't inhale). 
 
This one, after about 1/4 way into the stick started making me have those panic feelings again and I had a bunch of panic attacks that day and the next day. 
 
I haven't had a cigar since then.  I really miss the hobby, I really do enjoy it. 
 
I'm scared to smoke another cigar because of the fear of having that panic feeling. 
 
Now I have a new thing I'm concerned about and that is how clean are the cigars?
 
Does anyone else have these kind of issues?
 
Maybe I will just have to say good bye to them for a long time, idk. 
 
I would love it if I could enjoy 1 or 2 a month. 

 

[CMontoya79]

Not sure if your on any other meds or not but if so maybe it may be tine to reevaluate the effectiveness if said meds. Is there anything else that has changed in your life? Many times it could also help to find what helps prevent the anxiety attacks. If high levels of nicotine are triggering your anxiety, maybe it's best to avoid strong cigars such as opus x and or Nicaraguan power houses. Smoking several cigars or one opus x seems like that increased high levels of nicotine could be the culprit. Though cigars tend to relax us, nicotine is a stimulant. Good luck bro.

C

 

[B.HOBS]

Do you have a history of other types of stimulants affecting you in such a way, like caffeine, taurine, etc? Any known heart issues, high blood pressure, tachycardia? Do you have any panic attacks/anxiety outside of when you are smoking a cigar? Regular cardio/excercise? Diet patterns? Lots of questions go into understanding where the anxiety comes from, and what is really triggering it for you. 
 
I also have issues like you, mostly when I over do it. It is also way more exaggerated when I am not properly hydrated or over tired, etc. I will go to bed at night with the dread feeling in my stomach and my heart pounding after a heavy night, and it is NOT fun. My main problem is caffeine, as I LOVE Coca Cola. If I have too much in one day, I will feel something probably similar to what you are feeling.  With a cigar on top of that sometimes, oh boy... It can be brutal. The worst part is that I get really noticeable heart palpitations. I stray away from smoking or drinking too much specifically for this reason. Sometimes I want to indulge more, but I know the price is not worth the fun most times.
 
The problem with the anxiety is that once those hormones have set in, its very hard to get rid of them and the feeling they produce. Any little thing and it just comes rushing back in. If you had some underlying stress or anxiety in your life, smoking that cigar or any tobacco product could be enough of trigger to send your hormones into overdrive, especially if you aren't really a regular smoker. It could be completely heart/nervous system related as well...My Mom suffered for years with random anxiety/panic attacks, for no specific reason, and it was years before she actually got it properly diagnosed by a heart specialist that she had an arrhythmia and slight tachycardia(rapid heartbeat.) She is medicated for it now and the attacks have gone away. Go figure.
 
Sorry to be long winded. Hopefully this helps a little bit, as I know how helpless this can make you feel. 

 

[Turbolag]

Not sure if your on any other meds or not but if so maybe it may be tine to reevaluate the effectiveness if said meds. Is there anything else that has changed in your life? Many times it could also help to find what helps prevent the anxiety attacks. If high levels of nicotine are triggering your anxiety, maybe it's best to avoid strong cigars such as opus x and or Nicaraguan power houses. Smoking several cigars or one opus x seems like that increased high levels of nicotine could be the culprit. Though cigars tend to relax us, nicotine is a stimulant. Good luck bro.

C

 
Thanks man, I am on meds right now. Unfortunately I'm so sensitive to medication I'm limited on what I can take. I was thinking for my next cigar, when I feel like I can handle it, I would do a super mild stick. 
 
Its weird man because when I first got into cigars they would relax me like you stated. When I over did it the first time, the relaxing qualities stopped. 

Do you have a history of other types of stimulants affecting you in such a way, like caffeine, taurine, etc? Any known heart issues, high blood pressure, tachycardia? Do you have any panic attacks/anxiety outside of when you are smoking a cigar? Regular cardio/excercise? Diet patterns? Lots of questions go into understanding where the anxiety comes from, and what is really triggering it for you. 
 
I also have issues like you, mostly when I over do it. It is also way more exaggerated when I am not properly hydrated or over tired, etc. I will go to bed at night with the dread feeling in my stomach and my heart pounding after a heavy night, and it is NOT fun. My main problem is caffeine, as I LOVE Coca Cola. If I have too much in one day, I will feel something probably similar to what you are feeling.  With a cigar on top of that sometimes, oh boy... It can be brutal. The worst part is that I get really noticeable heart palpitations. I stray away from smoking or drinking too much specifically for this reason. Sometimes I want to indulge more, but I know the price is not worth the fun most times.
 
The problem with the anxiety is that once those hormones have set in, its very hard to get rid of them and the feeling they produce. Any little thing and it just comes rushing back in. If you had some underlying stress or anxiety in your life, smoking that cigar or any tobacco product could be enough of trigger to send your hormones into overdrive, especially if you aren't really a regular smoker. It could be completely heart/nervous system related as well...My Mom suffered for years with random anxiety/panic attacks, for no specific reason, and it was years before she actually got it properly diagnosed by a heart specialist that she had an arrhythmia and slight tachycardia(rapid heartbeat.) She is medicated for it now and the attacks have gone away. Go figure.
 
Sorry to be long winded. Hopefully this helps a little bit, as I know how helpless this can make you feel. 

 
Thanks man,  
 
I have severe anxiety in everyday life and I have to watch be careful with stimulants. I love Diet coke, especially from Sonic, and Mcdonalds. BUT, I had to stop drinking them because the caffeine makes me uncomfortable. 
 
Just like you said man, when I think about them, its just not worth it. So I had to cut out Diet sodas with caffeine. 
 
I appreciate you sharing everything you did. Thank you. 
 
I also understand what you were saying about the thoughts being placed and a stimulant causing them to re occur.
 
I bought a pack on Macanudo Miniatures from CVS,  I was planning to start with these. I read up on these and they are mild and don't last long. 
 
I'm hoping I don't have to give up the hobby because I really do enjoy it. The taste, smells, looking for sticks, reading through magazines, the process, etc. 

 

[whylieineedacigar]

I bought a pack on Macanudo Miniatures from CVS,  I was planning to start with these. I read up on these and they are mild and don't last long. 
 
I'm hoping I don't have to give up the hobby because I really do enjoy it. The taste, smells, looking for sticks, reading through magazines, the process, etc. 
 

 
That was going to be my suggestion to you, just get something small and mild and see what happens. Those Opus are kick ass. Let us know how it goes and hopefully it will relax you like it did at first!

 

[grateful1]

If it hurts...do it harder!!!!
 
 
 
Ooops, wrong forum!
 

 

[Turbolag]

 

I bought a pack on Macanudo Miniatures from CVS,  I was planning to start with these. I read up on these and they are mild and don't last long. 
 
I'm hoping I don't have to give up the hobby because I really do enjoy it. The taste, smells, looking for sticks, reading through magazines, the process, etc. 
 

 
That was going to be my suggestion to you, just get something small and mild and see what happens. Those Opus are kick ass. Let us know how it goes and hopefully it will relax you like it did at first!
 

 
Thanks man! We'll see what happens. I'll keep this updated. 

If it hurts...do it harder!!!!
 
 
 
Ooops, wrong forum!
 

 
Hahahaha nice one. 

 

[Light this!]

Have you tried having a smoke along side a nice stiff drink? Has all the calming affects on me. 

 

[Tall Paul]

Have you tried having a smoke along side a nice stiff drink? Has all the calming affects on me. 

That's being intoxicated... Lol

 

[Turbolag]

Have you tried having a smoke along side a nice stiff drink? Has all the calming affects on me. 

 
Unfortunately with the medicine I'm on I can't really drink much alcohol. I've tried it before and it helps some but I just don't like the feeling I get from it.
 
I would however like to try the apple cider ales that are out now. Those look appealing. 

 

Have you tried having a smoke along side a nice stiff drink? Has all the calming affects on me. 

That's being intoxicated... Lol
 

 
Hahaha
 
I've been drunk once and that was enough for me!
 
The next day was miserable. 
 
Heartburn like crazy!

 

[siriusstoogie]

Not sure if your on any other meds or not but if so maybe it may be tine to reevaluate the effectiveness if said meds. Is there anything else that has changed in your life? Many times it could also help to find what helps prevent the anxiety attacks. If high levels of nicotine are triggering your anxiety, maybe it's best to avoid strong cigars such as opus x and or Nicaraguan power houses. Smoking several cigars or one opus x seems like that increased high levels of nicotine could be the culprit. Though cigars tend to relax us, nicotine is a stimulant. Good luck bro.

C

^^^This^^^

 

[jsm11]

Bummer, Cigars damn near sedate me.  But the Nicotine does make me sharp as a tac

 

[Tillers]

I like washing the cigars down with a case or two of Budweiser. Hard to have panic attacks when you're blacked out

 

[comptalk]

I wasn't sure where to post this, and I apologize if this is in the wrong area.
 
So I have anxiety issues, but I love cigars and pipes. 
 
Last year I had a couple days where I had too many cigars and I got a panic attack later that night. After that my consumption of cigars slowed down a lot. 
 
Fast forward to about 3 months ago, I was smoking a Opus X that I had been saving. This was my second Opus. 
 
The first one I had gave me a huge buzz and relaxed me (No i don't inhale). 
 
This one, after about 1/4 way into the stick started making me have those panic feelings again and I had a bunch of panic attacks that day and the next day. 
 
I haven't had a cigar since then.  I really miss the hobby, I really do enjoy it. 
 
I'm scared to smoke another cigar because of the fear of having that panic feeling. 
 
Now I have a new thing I'm concerned about and that is how clean are the cigars?
 
Does anyone else have these kind of issues?
 
Maybe I will just have to say good bye to them for a long time, idk. 
 
I would love it if I could enjoy 1 or 2 a month. 

 
 
One a day dude.  You should also build up to an Opus X.  While one of my favorite, at first, it took some time to get used to.