First Few Questions Of A New User...

[Rasputin]

Hello folks...

Yesterday (or to be more accurate, today at 2 a.m- beautiful hour) I tried smoking hookah (nargila) for the third time in my life. This time it was a solitary activity.

Since, philosophically speaking, I can never know if what I'm experiencing is normal I wonder:
Aside from social reasons etc. what are the physiological-mental states that smoking hookah with the tobacco that's intended to be put in the pipe brings to your body-mind? I felt, almost immediatly a slight diziness which was rather nice. A bit like being drunk- but I really hate the taste of almost any alcoholic beverage (ironic thing is I also despise cigarettes).

Is this the "right" thing to feel? If it is, how can I enhance the experience without causing too much, you know, cancer to myself?
I intend to smoke only on weekends, I know that even this is quite a lot (I use a rather regular hookah with quick burning charcoals) and again- smoke alone.

Another question- do you have any prefernece in music or literature or just random thoughts when smoking? I found Omar Khayyam's poetry quite interesting... His views are very existential and nihilistic. It is quite surprising he didn't get stoned (not in that kind of way) in his times, writing in ran and all...

Thanks for your time,
sorry for any disturbing spelling mistakes.

[Zyram]

I usually find the Hookah to be a calming experience. I do get "dizzy" sometimes, it is a rush from the Nicotine in the tobacco, after you've smoked for a while, that will go away. I usually get a slight buzz for the first 5 minutes or so of smoking, then it goes away, but it still calms me. I like music or video games or movies while I smoke, but it goes well with a good book as well, so whatever kind of books you like, read away.
To "enhance" your experience, try many different types of tobacco until you find a flavor/brand that you enjoy most, that to me is the best enhancement that there can be. Also, try eating fruits, or drinking tea or sweet flavored drinks while you smoke, I find that sometimes it brings out flavor if you do this. Those are just a few answers, hopefully you'll get some more here, and welcome to the forum.

-Z

[mushrat]

Hello folks...

Yesterday (or to be more accurate, today at 2 a.m- beautiful hour) I tried smoking hookah (nargila) for the third time in my life. This time it was a solitary activity.

Since, philosophically speaking, I can never know if what I'm experiencing is normal I wonder:
Aside from social reasons etc. what are the physiological-mental states that smoking hookah with the tobacco that's intended to be put in the pipe brings to your body-mind? I felt, almost immediatly a slight diziness which was rather nice. A bit like being drunk- but I really hate the taste of almost any alcoholic beverage (ironic thing is I also despise cigarettes).

Is this the "right" thing to feel? If it is, how can I enhance the experience without causing too much, you know, cancer to myself?
I intend to smoke only on weekends, I know that even this is quite a lot (I use a rather regular hookah with quick burning charcoals) and again- smoke alone.

Another question- do you have any prefernece in music or literature or just random thoughts when smoking? I found Omar Khayyam's poetry quite interesting... His views are very existential and nihilistic. It is quite surprising he didn't get stoned (not in that kind of way) in his times, writing in ran and all...

Thanks for your time,
sorry for any disturbing spelling mistakes.

ya..slight buzz...relaxing...what its all about.

What tobacco and coals are you using?

[Rasputin]

Thanks for the answers, I use... let me check...
Akhla Charcoal, akhla being the word "neat" in Hevrew. It also says that they were hand-made for joy and pleasure :-P

Ths shisha is Nakhla tobacco (apple) which in my opinion is the most widespread in this country... Though I probably should try other flavors, there are tons of them.

I remember being in junior high, they told us all about how this Tobacco is made by Arabs and the leafs are taken from fields where sheep roam free and do their "number 2" and all.. But I think that life, while being a fun game, will always end with lose. Doesn't matter if it happens when your'e forty because of lung cancer of when you're 90 because of Alzheimer...

[Johnny_D]

Those coals are ok, I've used them many times from various places in Israel.

That tobacco however (Nahkla) is quite strong.

So during a smoking session ensure that :-

• You have plenty to drink (Not alcohol)
• If you drink alcohol during, intersperse it with lots of Fruit juice or something
• Eat! Nibbles during a session will help no end.
• Take a break - Don't smoke a lung full on each breath
• Ensure the coals are fully lit and glowing red BEFORE taking a puff.

Also have a look around for other coals and try other flavours of nahkla.... I recommend
Mandarin and Cherry!

Good luck,

JD

[Canon]

you smoke anything and you run the risk of getting cancer, now saying that many people including myself believe that hookah has the lowest risk of cancer, esp if your a "social" smoker.

to increase the buzz you take long puffs and try to do tricks with the smoke like smoke rings or just let the smoke out slowly and watch it come out. this causes the smoke to stay in your lungs longer and increases the nicotine you absorb.

[ColibriDon]

The buzz is perfectly normal, it's like a glorious side-effect.

As far as the tobacco/coals, I haven't tried the coals you're using but Nakhla is a very good brand. It is unwashed which means it has a much higher nicotine content than other "washed" tobaccos such as Al Fahker and Starbuzz. As far as tobacco, I recommend that you try Nakhla Double Apple. It's a very good smoke.

For books, I just got "The Myth of Sysphus" which seems to be interesting. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand was a good hookah book. Of course "The Genealogy of Morals" is a classic. I also have, but haven't started, "Thus Spoke Zarathustra". These all seem to be great for solo sessions. For music, I listen to whatever strikes me, classical, metal, alt. rock, classic rock, whatever.

Good luck on your new hookah journey!

[Giant Ninja Robot]

As far as enhancing the buzz, rings or slow exhales will do the trick. Oxygen deprivation is the key

A good book or some good music are my favs. I really enjoy middle-eastern and indian music while smoking which to me kind of authenticates the whole experience and takes me into a different and exotic cultural experience so I don't feel like I'm in suburban Michigan winter-time while my kids are asleep in the next room.

Or some good soul music, try some Otis Redding, great smoking music.

[dafunk5446]

A good book or some good music are my favs. I really enjoy middle-eastern and indian music while smoking which to me kind of authenticates the whole experience.

+1

[Rasputin]

Oh yes! The myth of sysyphus is a bit depressing but cool, while Nietzsche I just can't understand
I will try some oud music this weekend, I can't wait until thursday... Magnificant Thor's day... I wonder how about trying having sexual intercouse and smoking... Probably an idea that can win a Darwin-award... Too much fun at the same time, not very managable logistically.

Yeah, the Double Apple is nice, I'll try mixing it with peach or soemthing...

Oh my god, my dear Nicotine, I have been ignoring you for far too long. I almost forgot the feeling of aquiring a new friend!

[Bulldog_916]

Oh yes! The myth of sysyphus is a bit depressing but cool, while Nietzsche I just can't understand
I will try some oud music this weekend, I can't wait until thursday... Magnificant Thor's day... I wonder how about trying having sexual intercouse and smoking... Probably an idea that can win a Darwin-award... Too much fun at the same time, not very managable logistically.

Yeah, the Double Apple is nice, I'll try mixing it with peach or soemthing...

Oh my god, my dear Nicotine, I have been ignoring you for far too long. I almost forgot the feeling of aquiring a new friend!

Be careful here Will Robinson, some people have already done the nasty while smoking.

[mustang_steve]

as far as omar khayam, iran was a totally different nation prior to the revolution, and more tolerant to his type of writings.

[SilentBob]

dizziness can happen especially if you don't have anything in your stomach. smoking on an empty stomach = bad news. music..well i like alot of acoustic or stuff like tool when im smoking. like right now im smoking some orange/blueberry mix while listening to Tool's album Anemia.

[antouwan]

as for oud music, marcel khalife is great - the greatest modern oud player

but don't forget 'al malak al 3aoud (the king of the oud) - Farid al Atrache
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-WO8K9Ie8c...=1&index=33

and as for nordic paganism...good luck with that

[Rayneuki]

Gorillaz, Demon days.

Especialy Fire coming out of the monkey's head. It's so friggin relaxing.