Spinning Room Syndrome

[ReAndyMator]

So, I was in the park yesterday, enjoying one of the rare days of sunshine we get up here. I folded and stuffed 1/2 a flake (these things are 8" long - is that normal?) of Bob's Chocolate flake into my Invicta #1, and lit up. It took a while to get going properly (first time with a flake), and the first hour of peace and quiet with kindle and pipe was lovely (if punctuated by relights at 10 minute intervals). Then it started to get cold, so I put my coat on, and headed for a bench, feeling fine. I relit and five minutes later, the whole world seemed to be spinning. I guess the flake's a little stronger than my usual choices.

I walked home, had a drink and a biscuit, and felt much better, but was wondering - how can one tell which are going to hit you hard?

And are the flakes normally that long? I've heard plenty of people saying they need two flakes to fill their pipe properly, but 1/2 a flake filled mine nicely, and it's not a small pipe (although not huge) - about 40mm deep and 22mm diameter chamber.

 

[Commander Quan]

Sugar is usually the best way to counteract the nicotine once you feel it, but making sure you've eaten before hand help prevent it. Usually Virginia blends pack the most punch.

When people talk about filling the pipe with a flake they are talking about the flakes that are cut to fit into the tins, not the uncut bulk flakes. I couldn't imagine using 2 flakes, that's a lot of tobacco.

Flakes do take awhile to get started, one thing that helps is to rub out a small amount and put in on top as kindling.

 

[jdto]

And to dry it a bit, too. I find SG flakes are usually quite moist, so I give them a good long time to air out. I find that I like them to be slightly springy, but dry enough that they start to break a bit when I bend them. That way, I keep the great flavour, but I don't have to fight with the relights all the time. I also rub my flakes out to at least a "ready rub" consistency.

 

[Luke49783]

I had the same spinning head issue when I first tried snus. It makes for a miserable hour or so. As was already said, sugar helps. The second time I tried snus I had a big can of Mountain Dew that I took a swig from every now and then, no issues that time.

 

[COHunter]

I get that sometimes from Old Joe Krantz and 1792 flake. I'm no stranger to vitamin N but sometimes it smacks me around a bit! I usually hit those tobaccos after a meal and like others have said, keep a sugary drink or something handy in case...

 

[the_edski]

I get that sometimes from Old Joe Krantz and 1792 flake. I'm no stranger to vitamin N but sometimes it smacks me around a bit! I usually hit those tobaccos after a meal and like others have said, keep a sugary drink or something handy in case...

I absolutely never smoke on an empty stomach. I had Dunhill Nightcap once after going a while without eating, NEVER AGAIN!

As a rule of thumb: burley, Kentucky and perique are high in nicotine. Some virginia's can creep up on you as well. You will get an idea of what affects you after a while.

 

[Commander Quan]

I was given an El Rico Habano cigar once and and was told be be careful because they were pretty strong. When I got a chance to smoke it I didn't see what the big deal was and was perfectly fine until I had finished it and stood up. I'm still impressed with myself that I was able to get into the house and on the couch without falling over. I had to sit there for 20 minutes before the sweats stopped.

 

[Luke49783]

I was given an El Rico Habano cigar once and and was told be be careful because they were pretty strong. When I got a chance to smoke it I didn't see what the big deal was and was perfectly fine until I had finished it and stood up. I'm still impressed with myself that I was able to get into the house and on the couch without falling over. I had to sit there for 20 minutes before the sweats stopped.

Nicotine sweats are an awful feeling! The first time I tried chew I decided to buy a can of Copenhagen pouches while driving back up to school with a friend after a break. I was spitting, but not being overly careful about not swallowing. At first I felt great. Then the sweats hit and we had to open all of the windows in his car in early December so that I could get air. I spent an hour trying to contain myself before it finally subsided. I wish I had known about the sugar trick back then!

 

[brother cavefish]

i do not like alot of nicotine, the virginias help with thats, they have more sugars hence less nicotine , more nicotine less sugar in leaf

 

[ReAndyMator]

As mentioned in the POTD thread, I tried a Dunhill Flake today, which I believe to be mostly Virginia. Great smoke, and somehow it lasted 2 1/2 hrs. No spinning problems either.... I think the Bob's can go back in the jar for a while.....

 

[oc_in_fw]

I didn't think Bob's Chocolate Flake was a big nic hitter, but then I am a smoker and might just be used to it. Oh, that reminds me, I have some Bob's in a jar I haven't touched in almost a year. I think I know what I will be smoking tonight.

 

[ReAndyMator]

I'm guessing I'm 'just not used to it'. Judging from the tobaccoreview reviews, I wasn't expecting it to be so strong....