I was amazed and pleased to see that John of Storied Mind gave me an award. Like whoa, what? I didn’t know this beautiful writer knew MigraineChow existed even. I’m tickled both for the award and to see that folks I may not realize visit are getting something from this blog. Yay! Thanks, John.
I love the idea of a Lemonade award in itself. It’s based on the idea that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I try to make lemonade here. Sometimes there are too darned many lemons and it’s just lemon juice. Sometimes I get sappy and it’s just sugar water. But mostly, I hope it turns into lemonade. There are so many of you other bloggers that make lemonade too. I’ll ponder the lemonade makers and get the award goodies together in the next few days.
Raine commented on yesterday’s post that she hadn’t heard of anyone else having serious mental effects as my agitated suicidality when trying to quit smoking. I’ve heard of a few others, and read some about it. It seems that smoking is a “working” self-medication for bipolar disorder of some sort, as 60%+ of us smoke or did before we wrangled our way through quitting. By “working” I mean that it has beneficial effects in the area of calming or mood help. Obviously it doesn’t work in terms of what it does to our lungs, etc. It also seems that those of use with more frequent or severe psychotic symptoms are the heaviest smokers and have the worst time quitting. Oh joy. No wonder I go wacko when I try to quit. Bother and stuff. It seems that the nicotinic receptors getting plugged by the nicotine in cigarettes helps somehow, though I’m not sure anyone knows how. But always more to learn. I am sort of on the fly, but for folks who may be thinking they’re more nuts than usual to have a hellacious time trying to (or succeeding at) quitting smoking, here are some articles on it: here, here, here, here, here, and here. Not to say we shouldn’t quit smoking, but it looks like there are valid reasons why it can be real hell on us to do it.
Yeah, I’ve got that on my mind as I still feel like crap from two asthma attacks this weekend that I probably wouldn’t have had if I didn’t smoke. Fardles. Oh well, pass the lemonade. I’m still kicking to type about it. 
Babbled by Immi.
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“Research suggests that, when smokers wish to achieve a stimulating effect, they take short quick puffs, which produce a low level of blood nicotine.[20] This stimulates nerve transmission. When they wish to relax, they take deep puffs, which produce a high level of blood nicotine, which depresses the passage of nerve impulses, producing a mild sedative effect. At low doses, nicotine potently enhances the actions of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, causing a drug effect typical of those of psychostimulants. At higher doses, nicotine enhances the effect of serotonin and opiate activity, producing a calming, pain-killing effect. Nicotine is unique in comparison to most drugs, as its profile changes from stimulant to sedative/pain killer in increasing dosages and use.” (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicotine)
In other words, it is the most incredibly subtle and adaptable mood regulator. No wonder it’s so damned hard to quit, especially when your moods need a wee bit more regulating than normal.
I loved that last link you posted. “The researchers note that nicotine, the primary psychoactive compound in tobacco smoke, acts as an agonist at nicotinic cholinergic receptors, mediating the widespread release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. Since antipsychotics act as serotonin and dopamine antagonists, smoking may interfere with their therapeutic action.” In other words, the pills that make you feel crap make you smoke more in the vain hope of feeling better!
Take care, hope you’re well, David
abysmal musingss last blog post..Random-Eyed About Plankton.
A lemonade award – I like it!
I say, ‘when life hands you a lemon, chuck it back and demand chocolate’, but thats typical BPD mentality for you
Good luck with the cancer sticks xXx
Raspberrys last blog post..Light amongst the dark?
David – Go figure on that one, huh? *shakes head*
Rasp – I love it! Chuck it back and demand chocolate! hehehe Thanks.
You probably are already aware of this but smoking can increase the effectiveness of some medications. The site crazymeds.us has information on this, I believe it’s on the drug pages. The reason that I bring this up is that maybe it IS the lack of nicotine that makes you bonkers or maybe the lack is causing your meds to work less or maybe it’s a little of both.
It’s chemistry wonderful?!
bipolarlifes last blog post..getting this right
That was suppose to read “Isn’t chemistry wonderful?!”
bipolarlifes last blog post..getting this right