Nicotine Nirvana

As language develops, young people and those “underground” will often create slang terms for questionable activity. For example, “Mary Jane” became a commonly used term for marijuana in the 70s, just as the term “Apple Jacks” is used for crack cocaine.

“Nicotine nirvana” is one such slang term for a nicotine high. The term generally refers to the high a smoker might experience if they smoked 3 to 4 cigarettes back to back. One cigarette provides about 1 to 2 mg of nicotine, so smoking 3 or 4 one after the other would potentially provide 3 to 8 mg of nicotine in a relatively short period of time.

The lethal dose of nicotine is just 0.5 mg per kilogram of body weight. That means a person weighing 150 pounds could perish with as little as 40 to 60 mg of nicotine. While "nicotine nirvana" is experienced at doses much lower than this, it is changing brain pathways and possibly depressing the respiratory system and affecting other body systems as well.

The slang “nicotine nirvana” is most often used to converse with those who are using e-cigarettes or “vaping.” Vaping is the practice of taking nicotine liquid, made with pure nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals, and gently heating it until it is vaporized. Then this vapor is inhaled. This method of nicotine use has a greater potential of reaching “nicotine nirvana” and also holds greater potential to be toxic.

While some have successfully quit smoking traditional cigarettes by using the vapor technology, many become hooked to this “nicotine nirvana” feeling by vaping. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man. If you are having trouble quitting, ask your doctor about a quit plan.

Resources:
http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/slang/slang.shtml
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1175437&page=38
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend_detail.cfm?ALPHA=F&TID=1138
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Nicotine%20nirvana

Photo: Akujames, Wikipedia. No endorsement implied. For license information visit: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en