Thought I’d share some research. A regular snuff user can, according to my research, reach the same blood plasma nicotine levels as a cigarette smoker. The half life of nicotine in blood is 6 hours so regular use will keep elevating levels to that of a heavy cigarette smoker. The higher the ph (acidity) the greater the nicotine content. No significant health warnings except increased blood pressure and increased heart rate as per other stimulants. The other side of this coin is that nicotine is a strong thermogenic drug which keeps about 12 pounds a year off. After giving up cigs and before heavy snuff I was gaining about 10 pounds a year due to the lack of the thermogenic affect and the need for oral gratification. I did not notice that food tasted better. My own observations; I have easily quit many bad habits. Cigarettes were the hardest. What makes this unusual is that on other drugs one must immediately “fix” upon waking up (assuming one sleeps) but with cigarettes most smokers do not have to light up immediately indicating that nicotine, while addictive, is far less so than other drugs. I believe the addiction to cigarettes over snuff is both the oral gratification and the cigarette, making numerous trips from hand to mouth creates a physical stimulus that occupies the mind (I would guess the right hemisphere) in movements that are soon associated with relaxation. Both cigs and snuff (and other nicotine products) create in about 30% of the population (this according to a close friend who was very high up in a leading american cigarette company) a fluctuation of brain waves (if I remember correctly the alpha wave) equivalent to a moment of meditation. In addition a relatively high proportion of cigarette smokers have (or may induce through smoking) a “bronchial itch” that an inhale scratches. As per my friend who was privy to never released research, about 30% of smokers undergo a change in brain chemistry (reliance on nicotine to increase dopamine levels? and neurotransmitters?-my idea) and are never fully satisfied after than. And, again, the constant physical acts of smoking become habitual and are associated with a better mental state (seems to be most profound in the depressed, certain autism spectrum, and [among others] schizophrenia). It should be noted that olfactory sense is the only sense that bypasses the Amygdala which regulates emotions. Cigarettes affect the Amygdala in a number of ways. Having said that and induced a somnambulistic state in any who have read this far I will switch into my alternate personality: who give a sh*t. I like it. But I really, really miss cigarettes.
i don’t miss cigarettes because nicotine in cigarettes can not meet my nicotine consumption. I learned that snuff contain 12-18mg nicotine (more than one pack of cigarettes) so if i would smoke again i have to smoke about 80-100 cigarettes a day. Snuff is really safe compare to cigarettes.
Since I (recently) switched some of my daily cigs for snuff taking (others switched for electronic cigs), I have begun to notice something rather odd with cravings. When you have a cigarette, it takes a certain amount of time depending how quick a smoker you are, and by the time you have finished the cigarette the initial few drags have infused into your system and you get that feeling of satisfaction. With snuff, I have been taking a sniff sometimes when I get a cigarette craving, and that craving goes into hyperdrive!!! A few times I have had a pinch of snuff then gone for a ciggy (or used the electric cig) pretty much immediately after … but … I have noticed that if I can wait about three minutes the nicotine in the snuff starts to work - even on snuff with a modest nic content. If I can get used to that delay period it will be far easier to have snuff instead of a ciggy rather than as an appetiser The issue I suppose isn’t with the absorption rate, but how quickly the process of snuffing is completed. Smoking the rest of the ciggy fills the gap until the magic starts to happen, but with snuff it’s just a quick wipe of the nose. I just need to (mentally) adjust to this
@lunecat Oh’ I’m experimenting alright 
Different snuffs, pipe baccy’s, rolling baccy’s (including herbal), plus electrics. The goal wasn’t to eliminate cigs, but rather to take control and have other options. I have a suspicion though that ditching the cigs might happen as a result of all this without having to particularly try too hard. Regardless of where I end up, right now I’m enjoying the journey 
I’m going through the same. I miss cigs regularly like when I’m watching TV and someone pulls out the cigarrette and lights up (and I stopped smoking cigs a few years ago in favour of cigarillos) but I can cope without them now I know for sure. It’s like you only remember the good effect they had and for me it was first thing in the morning and really woke me up well. I do beleive as asieg33 said that the brain is somewhat rewired with smoking (especially those little cigars) as when I stopped smoking I really had few bad days when I could feel that unrewiring happening and it was very unpleasant so I know that if I were to smoke again then to stop again I would have to retrace that pain and that’s what keeps me clean of smoking. That and things like I visited my sister who started smoking again and her place smelled of ashtray and I know she regrets getting hooked again. It is hard to appreciate even after having been a long time smoker just how addictive it is. I think she will stop again but it will take her some time to work around to it and that could even be years! but I hope if she see’s me doing ok without them then that will help.
I_snuff_therefore_ I’ve been off cigs for over 5 years. Like you when watching tv or movies and someone lights up I want a cigarette. The constant tactility. I’ve heard harder core addicts (people with voice boxes attached to throats= wonder if they can do that with smart phones not. an android app for people who had cancer of the voice box with a detachable screen as on some cameras. back on subject. some of these people seriously referred to cigs as friends. Friends are there when you need them and you take pleasure in their company. I think I considered them friends. I gave up here in Israel. Most countries do not notify of or moderate nicotine levels to create greater dependency. For example the world’s best known and desired brand is Marlboro. There is a significant taste and nicotine and taste difference. Quitting these were the toughest of the many quits I did. And I’m always irritable. #%^&&^&%
i find finer, (but not too dry snuffs) when mixed with a menthol (if they dont irritate your nose enough) seems to be the quickest. for example i love abraxas premium fin for a nic ride. im gonna try mixing this with a tiny amount of hedges.
iritation helps with snuff absorbtion well mild iritation if it’s too much it will swell the tissue which reduces absorbtion which may explain why you get more out of snuff the longer you use it.
I think I considered them friends.
Here’s were we differ. I considered them the enemy holding me prisoner both physically and mentally and doing it so well I really never thought I would ever quit. Snuff to the rescue! Now when I miss the “nails” (great name) I just get over it and move on and be glad I have broken the cycle. I’ve changed now and I’m not going to make a contious effort to change back. Soon I’ll be pitying those TV smokers and all smokers which I do partly already. I remember when young I used to be amazed that people did something so stupid and wonder why. All my family smoked so I eventually succumed and even after all these years I still don’t fully understand why it had such a grip but I know I had to break the smoking rituals and to do that I started to look at how inconvenient they were i.e. spending to much money, constant purchasing trips and with all the laws etc smoking outside in the cold, wind and rain. Finally I did the sensible thing and dropped them. The biggest expected hurdle was drinking alcohol without smoking but I’ve found I really enjoy snuff with alcohol perhaps even more than I did smoking which was an enormous relief even though I only occasionally partake nowadays.
For the first time in a while, I had a cigar this evening. In one way it was wonderful, and another it was awful. The “nails” you speak about often appear to be a friend, in much the same way as some people appear to be friends until you discover they are only in it for themselves. Even when you discover that, it’s hard to separate the feeling of friendship that has been going so long. You feel entwined, despite feeling that you have been taken advantage of. There are two reactions you can feel in that situation, you either cut them off and disregard them for ever, or try for a while to make the friendship on your terms not theirs. With ciggys I’m currently choosing the second one, but if they do not fall in line with what I want from them, and persist in trying to take advantage I’m pretty sure I’ll sever the link. Tonights cigar was on my terms, and the “awful” part was the knowing that it was still trying to command me, even though I held the reins. I do have an affinity with cigarettes, and given a choice UI would like to continue with them on my terms, if that proves unworkable they will be replaced. That might sound deep, but I’m just in the process of polishing off a bottle of red wine after staring at flames on a fire - two old friends that have never tried to take advantage of me the way the ciggies have
I am sure there is some blood in my nicotine stream. Cigarettes are not your friend. When I was 10 I thought they were cool to use, Some where around 50 ,I looked up cool - Not hot!
You have the advantage on me then, I’ve not reached that landmark yet … the 50 one that is, I have succumbed to the 10 a few years ago :-"
I’m so glad I don’t miss cigarettes not even a little bit. I just wish I hadn’t wasted 30 years of my life on them when I could have been snuffing instead.
I actually had a really vivid dream (maybe nightmare) last night were I messed up and smoked a cigarette or just before I woke up I changed it for a mini cigar and I really felt a feeling of failure. Man was I relieved when I realised it was a dream. I think that’s a really good analogy 50ft_trd of a friend that’s a user. I think what you are taking about is becomming an occasional smoker and if I could have done that then I probably would still smoke but I know I definitely can’t so I can never really ever take another puff and I am even surprised myself that this prospect is beginning to appeal to me which is quite a transformation from as a smoker being unable to see that. I went cycling twice yesterday and I’m even only getting used to that without bringing a cigarillo along for a smoke which I admit I really did enjoy but my lungs are definitely working better and they weren’t even bad before, I could easily swim a 25m pool underwater before so probably better now with that also. Thing is I really expected the cycling as in excercise to be more of a help in changing my habit but it was only a little help.
basement_shaman. You got a chuckle out of me at a time in life when it’s so hard to smile. Looking back I have spent more energy on enemies than on friends. and thanks all. I thought this thread was going to be a failure and I didn’t even inject any humor