To medical staff of my care team
I am not medically trained. The following is based on a layman’s understanding of tobacco addiction, not limited to nicotine
Nicotine as the primary compound associated with tobacco addiction and dependence came from a Surgeon General’s report in the USA. The vast majority of study around tobacco dependence focus on nicotine
But, in addition to nicotine, tobacco also contains 5 minor alkaloids anabasine, nornicotine, anatabine, cotinine and myosmine. These alkaloids are psychoactive, and account for disparity of nicotine as stimulant, and anecdotal accounts of relaxation
The alkaloid profile of tobacco depends on the individual plant, but is usually around 92% of the alkaloid profile as nicotine, and the remaining 8% as the 5 minor alkaloids
There is also apparently a very slight inhibition of monoamine oxidase A
As with other things, I don’t have a science background. This is just layman reading on the subject
Up until around 2019, there were 5 vape liquid manufacturers in the USA who produced “Whole Tobacco Alkaloids” or “WTA” or full spectrum vape fluid. With the USA Deeming Regulations and increased controls, all but 1 shut down. The remaining 1, Mother’s Milk WTA, label theirs as “For research purposes” on the bottle, to cheat regulations. They were always the lowest quality of the 5 companies
In 2020, the Australian Government closed the loophole in the SUSMP Poisons Schedule, which allowed importation of nicotine, provided it wasn’t labelled “For therapeutic use” and made no health claims. Liquid nicotine for vaping was then by prescription only, with added fine print that nicotine is the only permissible active ingredient in vape fluid. Which effectively banned WTA even by prescription
So, from early 2020, I began weaning both nicotine and WTA. 2019, I vaped 5% nicotine plus 0.9% WTA (Comprised of 92% Nicotine and 8% Minor Alkaloids anabasine, nornicotine, anatabine, cotinine and myosmine)
By 2022, armed with a few litres of 500mg/ml or 50% nicotine in my freezer, and a decent supply of 3.6% WTA from Aroma e-cig, I had weaned to 3.35% nicotine and no WTA in my vape
The timeline recently occurred to me, and i thought back to trying to wean the same in 2014, I think after a Senate Enquiry into nicotine vaping. In 2014, I weaned to 12mg/ml or 1.2% nicotine, and abandoned the endeavour owing to rage, irritability, and intrusive thoughts
I have recently experimented with some Swedish Snus from my freezer, and dripping some WTA eliquid in my vape again. Each time, I have had blissful relief from the intrusive thoughts and rage
I started smoking aged 12. After growing up with parents smoking inside, and during pregnancy
I just figured this was worth a mention. As I said, I don’t have a scientific understanding of it, but have read studies and participate vaping forums
I know that Dr Jon is very against vaping, despite RANZCP official stance
https://www.ranzcp.org/news-policy/...sition-statements/e-cigarettes-and-vaporisers
Dan