Hookah....addicting?

[zachf88]

Well, I'm a newb, but I was wondering if smoking hookah was very addicting? (I know it's some what addicting due to the tobacco) Is it as addicting as smoking cigarettes? I keep reading threads about people who are away from their hookah for 2-3 days and are going crazy and..... and it's kind of scaring me... haha

[Bulldog_916]

It isnt addictive physically. They are mentally addicted to it, they like the process and the smoking. I smoke once or twice a week and dont feel ill either way if I smoke or not. I've gone months in the past without smoking it. So to answer your question, no, it isnt addictive the way cigarettes are addictive.

[ryno]

I myself smoke almost a bowl everyday, and I can easily go a week or two without smoking. I dont think they are as near as addictive as cigarettes, mainly because I quit cigs when I started smoking hookah. The peope that say they are dying from being 2-3 days without hookah, i doubt they are having serious withdrawls. As Ringo says in the Yellow Submarine movie, "Its all in the mind"

[staygone]

Nicotine is physically addictive, meaning that your body reacts when it doesn't get its needed fix.

"Every nerve in your brain and nervous system communicates with other cells by sending out tiny neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) that are received by the receptors of the other cell. Nicotine acts on the receptors that are normally used by a main neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.essentially tricking your body into thinking the nicotine is extra acetylcholine.

When you started smoking, your body began responding to the nicotine thinking it was extra acetylcholine. As you continued to smoke, your body began to adapt to this "extra" acetylcholine. How? By growing extra acetylcholine receptors! This is the way that nicotine physically alters your brain function."

Just to clear the facts up because I've been through this before.


I don't think it is as addictive as cigarettes, just the fact that it isn't as convient makes that statement slightly plausible.

-QM Edited July 10, 2008 by QuiltedMaple

[Codename067]

I love smoking hookah to death, but I can easily say that I am not addicted.

[Voski]

I am not addicted ether. But I do like to smoke it a lot.

[NickReppinThe909]

not addicted at all but i do love to smoke whenever i get a chance but i can live without it

[r1v3th3ad]

I can go long periods without, I just prefer not to...

"Just remember that its all in your head" - Gorillas

[nupC]

hookah isnt very addictive
it's kinda like a hobby.
if you like playing games, sports, etc of course your gonna want to do it all the time, just like hookah
but if hookah is just a once in a week or less time thing, then you can easily do that

hookah is my hobby

[dom209]

dude, i soke 4 or 5 bowls a day and am not addicted, wen i am away from my hookah it is sad cuz i love the whole process of setting it up, starting the caol, and feeling the fruits of my labor... i cant say its not addicting cuz like you said it is tabacco... but compared to cigeretts i would say if ciggeretes are a 10 and not smoking anything is a 0 i would say hookah is a 1 or 2

[esheg4ever23]

no. I smoke around 8-12 bowls a week, I'm not addicted. Edited July 10, 2008 by esheg4ever23

[Giant Ninja Robot]

i think it's an addictive experience, especially for those of us who love a ritual, but i don't know that it's particularly physically addictive. I do imagine I'm giving my lungs a much bigger chance at cancer, etc. than I would if I wasn't a smoker and that sometimes scares me. Easy to say it's a necesarry small pleasure now, but I wonder if when I'm 50-60 I'll agree. Just a morbid thought.

[cotsi95]

i smoke a lot...at least 3 bowls a day. Its not uncommon for me to smoke as much as 12 bowls on a Friday night. I am one of the few that would say i am addicted, not to the actually smoking, for me its more of a boredom thing. I smoke when I'm on the computer and on Friday nights its when i work at the lounge. Granted it can be addicting especially to someone who is sensitive to nicotine. But for me its just something to do.

[1Love]

funny this thread pops up now. ill share what im going through right now.

for the past 2 weeks Ive been smoking much more then I have ever. Before a month ago, I would only smoke 1 to 2 bowls a week. For the past 4 weeks or so I have been smoking almost 1 bowl a day.

well this past week I have felt pain in my chest and from my heart area. I am very active in the gym and have been most of my life (train 6 days a week 2-3 hours). however because of the amount of time I spend lifting and cardio, the smoke has effected me greatly. So I am back to smoking only 1 bowl a week. However this week I have chose not to smoke.

i have never smoked a cigarette in my life, the hookah is all I have smoked. Like others have said it is not addictive. what I mean is the tobacco. however what is addictive is the enjoyment I get out of smoking with my cousin, and family, friends. This is what I am addicted to. this week has been difficult.

this is just my body reacting to it, others will differ. just thought i’d share.

[mobbed]

what? addicted?...never...

[Big Boss]

The only real addiction is to the lifestyle, with only a possibility of a *slight* nicotine addiction.

[wpw36]

i am with everyone else, it is enjoying the fruits of your labor i also just like the experience it just helps me chill out and think.
like i smoke cigs but i just like hookah more cuz it just seems to let me chill out more

[Johnny_D]

I have just gone from smoking twice a day, everyday, to twice a week only!

No problems, no bad moods, no craving yada yada yada.

So it's [IMO] not physically (as BB said).

However it can be an addictive hobby which is something quite different

[Stuie]

I have noticed my smoking frequency is in direct correlation to the amount of time I spend on the forum....hahahahahahahahahaahahaha

[mattarios2]

can go weeks without it, no addiction here.

[cheezerman]

http://www.hookahforum.com/?showtopic=22965

[liquidglass]

I will say to the average person NO it's not addictive in the least. However if you have a highly addictive personality you can become "addicted" mentally.

I find people that are addicted to the social atmosphere of it as well as the relaxation it nearly forces upon you by sitting down to talk and smoke.

Personally I've been smoking for two years and I'm not addicted I've gone a month or more without hookah and I'm fine. My smoking varies, sometimes it's almost every day to a few times a week, which if I was addicted it wouldn't have such a varying pattern.

As far as phsyical problems, I find after running a mile or so my system is cleared of anything like phlegm or anything of the sort.

Hookah is one of the only "smoking hobbies" that you can exercise and still do it and operate normally.

[cheezerman]

It's best not to fool yourself.

When you smoke a hookah, your body absorbs some nicotine. The amount is still in question, but its definitely greater than zero.

Nicotine creates a physical dependence. Meaning that it makes you feel shitty if you don't consume more.

Additionally, nicotine messes with the reward and punishment centers of your brain, creating a primal "electrified mouse feeder" effect.

Important to note that not EVERYONE gets physically addicted to nicotine.

Also important to note is the Psychological Addiction aspect. This sort of addiction can happen with nearly anything that is fun or pleasureable, such as junk food, TV, etc..


I feel it'd be extremely irresponsible to not point out the addictive qualities of nicotine.

At least you can see the evidence and choose your own path.




Few links to read:

• Previous thread on the same topic
• U.S. Surgeon General's Report - Nicotine Addiction (1988)
• Wikipedia article on Nicotine.

[peterjmag]

I would definitely agree that the process is the most addictive thing about hookah, for me at least. Cleaning, choosing flavors, packing a bowl, getting the coals just right... all of that is pretty much just as enjoyable to me as actually smoking it afterwards (which, of course, is that much more rewarding).

In terms of a physiological or mental addiction, I'll bring up this point again: A couple of years ago, I was smoking at least a bowl per day (usually at my local hookah lounge). My dad was concerned when I told him that I was smoking that much, and so he gave me a challenge. He asked me to refrain from smoking anything at all (I only smoke hookah) for one month on my honor, and let him know how I felt. And that is exactly what I did. One month, no physical cravings whatsoever. Of course, I did kinda miss it occasionally, but I never felt like I HAD to have it.

So no, I don't believe that hookah is overly addictive, at least not for me.

[DarkParade]

i smoke 4-5 bowls a day but i can go without no prob i just like doing it as a hobby