Smoking is... good?

[abstract]

Most pipe tobacco is flavored with anti-freeze.

All the more reason to kick old traditions that no longer work out the window. :D

 

[Al Today]

I tried some Marlboro SNUS last weekend. I went to the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame Moondog Coronation Ball last weekend. Smoking is not allowed inside the auditorium. I knew this was coming so i hunted down some SNUS to give a try at the concert. Eventually I pulled out a tobacco bag/pouch, placed it between cheek and gum, and enjoyed a smokeless smoke. Tasted real good. Liked it... Problem was... besides the floor there was nowhere to discard, throw away the used up pack of tobacco. I placed it back in the hard pack. Kinda saved it to thow away later. And eventually... boy... did that stink... Whew... Nasty smell... Beside that, I enjoyed SNUS. I won't be replacing a good smoke for SNUS though...

 

[Thomas Alan]

I tried some Marlboro SNUS last weekend. I went to the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame Moondog Coronation Ball last weekend. Smoking is not allowed inside the auditorium. I knew this was coming so i hunted down some SNUS to give a try at the concert. Eventually I pulled out a tobacco bag/pouch, placed it between cheek and gum, and enjoyed a smokeless smoke. Tasted real good. Liked it... Problem was... besides the floor there was nowhere to discard, throw away the used up pack of tobacco. I placed it back in the hard pack. Kinda saved it to thow away later. And eventually... boy... did that stink... Whew... Nasty smell... Beside that, I enjoyed SNUS. I won't be replacing a good smoke for SNUS though...

Hi, Al:

General, a Swedish snus brand, has kind of clever solution for the used packets. The cans have a separate chamber in the lid with it's own snap on lid. Took me awhile to figure out what the chamber was for. It's a place to put your used packets until you can dispose of them properly.

My experiments with snus lead me to agree with you that it is not a complete substitute for smoking. The nicotine is there and it is good to feel it again after a quarter of a century. But the juice does give some stomach upset and the nicotine delivery doesn't have the pop that a smoke does.

I bought some American Spirit loose today planning to use it in a pipe. It's been a long time since I bought a pipe, they are expensive and safety is unknown. Glass pipes are not available hear and don't know where I would find a clay pipe.

But the AS loose comes with rolling papers, so perhaps tomorrow I will try it. I am crossing boarder lines inside my self by coming back to tobacco. Each is guarded by multiple "I s". Am gaining much experience by this "doing". It could be after all I will decide not to smoke. Won't know till I try it and look at the result.

I told my wife this evening that I was probably going to start smoking. I told her about the research that I have seen that shows tobacco without additives to be safer than many other things that we are exposed to each day. I also said that I would not smoke in the house or near her. She listened but did not say anything.

Life, the grand experiment goes on...

Mac

 

[GRiM]

"Young Men Who Smoke Have Lower IQs, Study Finds"

Seems this story have gotten quite a big traction, very many sites carry it.

ScienceDaily (Apr. 2, 2010) — "Only dopes use dope," goes the memorable warning about drugs. Now a Tel Aviv University researcher cautions that the same goes for cigarettes.

A study led by Prof. Mark Weiser of Tel Aviv University's Department of Psychiatry and the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Hospital has determined that young men who smoke are likely to have lower IQs than their non-smoking peers. Tracking 18- to 21-year-old men enlisted in the Israeli army in the largest ever study of its kind, he has been able to demonstrate an important connection between the number of cigarettes young males smoke and their IQ.

The average IQ for a non-smoker was about 101, while the smokers' average was more than seven IQ points lower at about 94, the study determined. The IQs of young men who smoked more than a pack a day were lower still, at about 90. An IQ score in a healthy population of such young men, with no mental disorders, falls within the range of 84 to 116.

An addiction that doesn't discriminate

"In the health profession, we've generally thought that smokers are most likely the kind of people to have grown up in difficult neighborhoods, or who've been given less education at good schools," says Prof. Weiser, whose study was reported in a recent version of the journal Addiction. "But because our study included subjects with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, we've been able to rule out socio-economics as a major factor. The government might want to rethink how it allocates its educational resources on smoking."

Making the results more significant, the study also measured effects in twin brothers. In the case where one twin smoked, the non-smoking twin registered a higher IQ on average.

Although a lower IQ may suggest a greater risk for smoking addiction, the cross-sectional data on IQ and smoking found that most of the smokers investigated in the study had IQs within the average range nevertheless.

Obesity, drug addiction also at issue

In the study, the researchers took data from more than 20,000 men before, during and after their time in the military. All men in the study were considered in good health, since pre-screening measures for suitability in the army had already been taken. The researchers found that around 28 percent of their sample smoked one or more cigarettes a day, 3 percent considered themselves ex-smokers, and 68% said they never smoked.

Prof. Weiser says that the study illuminates a general trend in epidemiological studies. "People on the lower end of the average IQ tend to display poorer overall decision-making skills when it comes to their health," says Prof. Weiser. He adds that his finding can help address a serious concern among health counsellors at grade and high schools. Schoolchildren who have been found to have a lower IQ can be considered at risk to begin the habit, and can be targeted with special education and therapy to prevent them from starting or to break the habit after it sets in.

"People with lower IQs are not only prone to addictions such as smoking," Prof. Weiser adds. "These same people are more likely to have obesity, nutrition and narcotics issues. Our study adds to the evidence of this growing body of research, and it may help parents and health professionals help at-risk young people make better choices."

Cognitive test scores in male adolescent cigarette smokers compared to non-smokers: a population-based study
Mark Weiser 1,2,3 , Salman Zarka 4,5 , Nomi Werbeloff 2,6 , Efrat Kravitz 1 & Gad Lubin 2
1 Department of Psychiatry, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel, 2 Division of Mental Health, Medical Corps, IDF, Israel, 3 Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel, 4 Public Health Branch, IDF, Israel, 5 School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa 6 and Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon, Israel
Correspondence to Mark Weiser, Department of Psychiatry, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 52621, Israel. E-mail: mweiser@netvision.net.il
Copyright Journal compilation © 2010 Society for the Study of Addiction
KEYWORDS
Cigarettes • cognitive functioning • IQ • military assessment • sib-pairs • smoking
ABSTRACT

Background Although previous studies indicate that people with lower intelligence quotient (IQ) scores are more likely to become cigarette smokers, IQ scores of siblings discordant for smoking and of adolescents who began smoking between ages 18–21 years have not been studied systematically.

Methods Each year a random sample of Israeli military recruits complete a smoking questionnaire. Cognitive functioning is assessed by the military using standardized tests equivalent to IQ.
Results Of 20 221 18-year-old males, 28.5% reported smoking at least one cigarette a day (smokers). An unadjusted comparison found that smokers scored 0.41 effect sizes (ES, P < 0.001) lower than non-smokers; adjusted analyses remained significant (adjusted ES = 0.27, P < 0.001). Adolescents smoking one to five, six to 10, 11–20 and 21+ cigarettes/day had cognitive test scores 0.14, 0.22, 0.33 and 0.5 adjusted ES poorer than those of non-smokers (P < 0.001). Adolescents who did not smoke by age 18, and then began to smoke between ages 18–21 had lower cognitive test scores compared to never-smokers (adjusted ES = 0.14, P < 0.001). An analysis of brothers discordant for smoking found that smoking brothers had lower cognitive scores than non-smoking brothers (adjusted ES = 0.27; P = 0.014).

Conclusion Controlled analyses from this large population-based cohort of male adolescents indicate that IQ scores are lower in male adolescents who smoke compared to non-smokers and in brothers who smoke compared to their non-smoking brothers. The IQs of adolescents who began smoking between ages 18–21 are lower than those of non-smokers. Adolescents with poorer IQ scores might be targeted for programmes designed to prevent smoking.

Submitted 3 February 2009; initial review completed 15 March 2009; final version accepted 15 July 2009
DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER (DOI)
10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02740.x About DOI

His Bio from the site:

Dr. Weiser MD is Lecturer of Psychiatry at Tel Aviv University, and Head of Psychiatric Ambulatory Services at the Sheba Medical Center. The main focus of his work has involved linking the data obtained from the assessments carried out by the Israeli military on all 16-17 year olds in the country, with the Israeli National Psychiatric Hospitalization Registry. This has yielded significant knowledge on pre-morbid IQ, social functioning and psychiatric disorders in schizophrenia, the use of cannabis before the onset of schizophrenia, and cigarette smoking in adolescents who were later diagnosed with schizophrenia.

He is currently working on other Israeli data bases on projects addressing meningitis and later schizophrenia, the heritability of schizophrenia, and predictors of suicide. He is Principal Investigator of a large multi-center trial assessing the efficacy of d-serine, an excitatory amino acid which activates the NMDA receptor, on negative symptoms and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. He receives support for his work from NARSAD and the Stanley Medical Research Institute.

 

[treesparrow]

Re: "Young Men Who Smoke Have Lower IQs, Study Finds"


If those scare tactics fail to work then there's always other options - the use of religious rules for instance.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Warning to religious groups after traces of pig's blood found in cigarette filters
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 4:12 PM on 30th March 2010

An Australian professor has warned religious groups that cigarette filters may contain traces of pig's blood.
Simon Chapman said recent Dutch research has identified 185 different industrial uses for a pig - including the use of haemoglobin in cigarette filters.
The University of Sydney professor said the study offered an insight into the world of cigarette manufacturing and was likely to spark concerns for devout Muslims and Jews.

'I think that there would be some particularly devout groups who would find the idea that there were pig products in cigarettes to be very offensive,' he told the Sydney Daily Telegraph.
'The Jewish community certainly takes these matters extremely seriously and the Islamic community certainly do as well, as would many vegetarians.

'It just puts into hard relief the problem that the tobacco industry is not required to declare the ingredients of cigarettes - they say "that's our business and a trade secret".'
The research found pig haemoglobin - a blood protein - was being used to make the filters more effective at blocking toxic chemicals before they entered a smoker's lungs.

Professor Chapman said that although some tobacco companies had voluntarily published a list of the contents in their cigarettes on websites, they also noted undisclosed 'processing aids' in the finished product.
At least one brand of cigarettes sold in Greece has been confirmed to be using pig haemoglobin in its manufacturing processes, he added.
Professor Chapman said: 'If you're a smoker and you're of Islamic or Jewish faith then you'd probably want to know and there is no way of finding out.'

_http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1262322/Warning-religious-groups-traces-pigs-blood-cigarette-filters.html

 

[GRiM]

Re: "Young Men Who Smoke Have Lower IQs, Study Finds"

Yeah, they don't give up do they. I just added it for archival purposes, nothing new about this at all :) Just seems to be a new push for it.

I like how they posted it 30th March 2010 and Apr. 2, 2010, either side of April 1st.

 

[Laura]

Re: "Young Men Who Smoke Have Lower IQs, Study Finds"

They ARE rather desperate about it, aren't they? Seems all out of proportion to what we know is their TRUE lack of concern about humanity. That makes it all the more interesting, yes?

 

[Renaissance]

Re: "Young Men Who Smoke Have Lower IQs, Study Finds"

Interesting. Here's another recent study that suggests smoking has a negative effect on the cognition of women. ...but apparently a lifetime of alcohol abuse will make a woman smarter! ...and yes, these substances are apparently gender specific. Jeez Louise.

_http://www.jsad.com/jsad/article/Effects_of_Alcohol_and_CigaretteUse_Disorders_on_Global_and_Specific_Meas/4430.html

Volume 71, 2010 > Issue 2: March 2010

Effects of Alcohol- and Cigarette-Use Disorders on Global and Specific Measures of Cognition in Middle-Age Adults

Kristin Caspers, Stephan Arndt, Rebecca Yucuis, Lowell McKirgan, Ruth Spinks

Objective: This study examined the effects of alcohol- and tobacco-use disorders on global and specific cognitive abilities in middle age. Method: The sample consisted of 118 men and 169 women ranging in age from 31 to 60 years (M [SD] = 43.59 [6.58]). Lifetime diagnoses were determined from a semistructured interview. Information about current levels of alcohol and cigarette use was also collected. A comprehensive neurocognitive assessment measuring global cognition, memory, and executive-functioning abilities was administered. Baseline cognition was estimated from average composite scores of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills school-achievement tests administered from third through eighth grade. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used. Covariates comprised baseline cognition, current depression symptoms, and medication use. Results: Lifetime alcohol- and tobacco-use disorders were not associated with cognition among men. Women having a diagnosis of tobacco dependence (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition [DSM-IV]) performed less well on measures of global cognition and executive functioning. A lifetime diagnosis of DSM-IV alcohol abuse or dependence was associated with higher working memory among women only. Conclusions: These results demonstrate few negative effects of alcohol-use disorders on midlife cognition, especially if current consumption is light. Differential susceptibility to the effects of cigarette use on cognition was found with women showing greater deficits in visuospatial abilities, processing speed, and executive-functioning abilities. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 71, 192-200, 2010)

 

[Laura]

Re: "Young Men Who Smoke Have Lower IQs, Study Finds"

Right! Drink all you want and kill brain cells and toxify your liver and destroy your detox pathways, but, for god's sake, don't smoke!

Methinks they protest too much.

 

[GRiM]

Re: "Young Men Who Smoke Have Lower IQs, Study Finds"

I got inspired to try and find a meta-study of cognitive ability in relation with Milk-protein, mercury and gluten? Lo and behold! Again, nothing new here I think, but the evidence just keeps piling up. But I guess all problems comes from first and second hand smoke :)

The mercury/casein/gluten factor effect on opioid peptides as a mechanism in causing autism, schizophrenia, ADHD, MS, and other neurological conditions



Mercury and toxic metals block enzymes required to digest milk casein and wheat gluten, resulting in dumping morphine like substances in the blood that are neurotoxic and psychotic, as a major factor in schizophrenia, autism, ADHD, and MS.

A direct mechanism involving mercury’s inhibition of cellular enzymatic processes by binding with the hydroxyl radical(SH) in amino acids appears to be a major part of the connection to these allergic/immune reactive conditions(15-23,36,47,51,90). For example mercury has been found to strongly inhibit the activity of xanthine oxidase and dipeptyl peptidase (DPP IV) which are required in the digestion of the milk protein casein or wheat protein gluten (15,16,17,19,20,91,23-26,90,92), and the same protein that is cluster differentiation antigen 26 (CD26) which helps T lymphocyte activation. CD26 or DPPIV is a cell surface glycoprotein that is very susceptible to inactivation by mercury binding to its cysteinyl domain. Mercury and other toxic metals also inhibit binding of opioid receptor agonists to opioid receptors, while magnesium stimulates binding to opioid receptors(15). Studies involving large samples of patients with autism, schizophrenia, or mania found that over 90 % of those tested had high levels of the milk protein beta-casomorphine-7 in their blood and urine and defective enzymatic processes for digesting milk protein(24,25,27), and similarly for the corresponding enzyme needed to digest wheat gluten(24,26). Like casein, gluten breaks down into molecules with opioid traits, called gluteomorphine or gliadin. As with caseomorphin, it too can retain biological activity if the enzymes needed to digest it are not functioning properly..

Proteins in bovine milk are a common source of bioactive peptides. The peptides are released by the digestion of caseins and whey proteins (92). In vitro the bioactive peptide beta-casomorphin 7 (BCM-7) is yielded by the successive gastrointestinal proteolytic digestion of bovine beta-casein variants A1 and B, but this was not seen in variant A2 or in goats milk. In hydrolysed milk with variant A1 of beta-casein, BCM-7 level is 4-fold higher than in A2 milk. Variants A1 and A2 of beta-casein are common among many dairy cattle breeds. A1 is the most frequent in Holstein-Friesian (0.310–0.660), Ayrshire (0.432–0.720) and Red (0.710) cattle. In contrast, a high frequency of A2 is observed in Guernsey (0.880–0.970) and Jersey (0.490–0.721) cattle(92). In children with autism, most of whom have been found to have been exposed to high levels of toxic metals through vaccines, mother’s dental amalgams, or other sources; higher levels of BCM-7 is found in the blood(24-26).

BCM-7 appears to play a significant role in the aetiology of human diseases(92). Epidemiological evidence from New Zealand claims that consumption of beta-casein A1 is associated with higher national mortality rates from ischaemic heart disease. It appears that the populations that consume milk containing high levels of beta-casein A2 have a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and type 1 diabetes. Beta-casomorphin-7 has opioid properties including immunosuppression, which account for the specificity of the relation between the consumption of some but not all beta-casein variants and diabetes incidence. BCM-7 has also been suggested as a possible cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In addition, neurological disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia, appear to be associated with milk consumption and a higher level of BCM-7 (92).



The studies found high levels of Ig A antigen specific antibodies for casein, lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin and IgG and IgM for casein. Beta-casomorphine-7 is a morphine like compound that results in neural disfunction (24,25), as well as being a direct histamine releaser in humans and inducing skin reactions (14,21,25c). Similarly many also had a corresponding form of gluten protein with similar effects(24,26). Elimination of milk and wheat products and sulfur foods from the diet has been found to improve the condition(40,28,etc.).

A double blind study using a potent opiate antagonist, naltrexone (NAL), produced significant reduction in autistic symptomology among the 56% most responsive to opioid effects(28). The behavioral improvements were accompanied by alterations in the distribution of the major lymphocyte subsets, with a significant increase in the T-helper-inducers and a significant reduction of the T-cytotoxic-suppressors and a normalization of the CD4/CD8 ratio. Studies have found mercury causes increased levels of the CD8 T-cytotoxic-suppressors(29). As noted previously, such populations of patients have also been found to have high levels of mercury and to recover after mercury detoxification(23,11,30,40,91). As mercury levels are reduced the protein binding is reduced and improvement in the enzymatic process occurs (91,11,96).

A mechanism in multiple sclerosis (MS) occurs due to a reduction in immune system activity. Specifically, it is the reduction in the number of the suppressor T-cells within the immune system that allows CD4 helper T-cells to do damage(31,97). Thus, during an acute relapse the overall number of T-cells is reduced, the normal balance of helper and suppressor T-cells is disrupted, and helper T-cells tend to predominate. This is most pronounced during an acute relapse, but a similar situation occurs although perhaps to a lesser extent, in chronic progressive MS. Low dose naltrexone (LDN) has been found to commonly be effective in reducing MS symptoms and exerbations, apparently due its opioid suppressive effects(31). [ Chronic toxic exposures to toxics such as mercury are one documented factor that can cause such immune effects. Reducing chronic exposures and detoxification have been documented to commonly bring improvement in these conditions and in MS symptoms(97). ]



Studies have also found heavy metals to deplete glutathione and bind

to protein-bound sulfhydryl SH groups, resulting in inhibiting SH-containing enzymes and production of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide ion, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical(39,43,45-47, 63-65,89,97,91). In addition to forming strong bonds with SH and other groups like OH,NH2, and Cl in amino acids which interfere with basic enzymatic processes, toxic metals exert part of their toxic effects by replacing essential metals such as zinc at their sites in enzymes. An example of this is mercury’s disabling of the metallothionein protein, which is necessary for the transport and detoxification of metals. Mercury inhibits sulfur ligands in MT and in the case of intestinal cell membranes inactivates MT that normally bind cuprous ions(66), thus allowing buildup of copper to toxic levels in many and malfunction of the Zn/Cu SOD function. Another large study(51) found a high percentage of autistic and PDD children are especially susceptible to metals due to the improper functioning of their metallothionein detoxification process, and that with proper treatment most recover. Mercury has also been found to play a part in neuronal problems through blockage of the P‑450 enzymatic process(67,89). Another study found accelerated lipofuscin deposition--consistent with oxidative injury to autistic brain in cortical areas serving language and communication(97). Compared with controls, children with autism had significantly higher urinary levels of lipid peroxidation. Double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of potent antioxidants--vitamin C or carnosine--significantly improved autistic behavior.





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(20) Stefanovic V. et al, Kidney ectopeptidases in mercuric chloride-induced renal failure. Cell Physiol Biochem 1998; 8(5): 278-84.

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[Joe]

Re: "Young Men Who Smoke Have Lower IQs, Study Finds"

The report I read said that they didn't know if the young men just had lower IQs to begin with or if smoking caused it. Seems to me that it is more likely that they had lower IQs to begin with and felt the internal urge to smoke because their bodies and brains know that it helps with thinking.

 

[Laura]

Re: "Young Men Who Smoke Have Lower IQs, Study Finds"

I got inspired to try and find a meta-study of cognitive ability in relation with Milk-protein, mercury and gluten? Lo and behold! Again, nothing new here I think, but the evidence just keeps piling up. But I guess all problems comes from first and second hand smoke :)

Yeah. Never mind that mercury, gluten and milk are destroying people's lives right and left... it's all about smoking... we can kill you with mercury and poisoned food all day long, and Depleted Uranium, and starvation, and whatever, but, for god's sake, don't smoke! You nasty, filthy, guilty low-life smoking person!

Notice particularly from the study you quoted:

In children with autism, most of whom have been found to have been exposed to high levels of toxic metals through vaccines, mother’s dental amalgams, or other sources; higher levels of BCM-7 is found in the blood(24-26).

Notice that they kind of slide over the fact that the only way this autistic child can get the mercury from "mother's dental amalgams" is in utero or via her milk. But they don't come right out and say that!!!

And, fer gawd's sake, if it is causing autism in the child, what is it doing to the mother?

 

[bjorb]

Re: "Young Men Who Smoke Have Lower IQs, Study Finds"

Sorry but I have to ask. It may be a stupid question. A bit unrelated also. But if you are born with autism. Thanks to all kinds of toxic. Can detoxing reverse that process. Remove Autism. Even a bit? Or is it already damage done?

 

[GRiM]

Re: "Young Men Who Smoke Have Lower IQs, Study Finds"

Sorry but I have to ask. It may be a stupid question. A bit unrelated also. But if you are born with autism. Thanks to all kinds of toxic. Can detoxing reverse that process. Remove Autism. Even a bit? Or is it already damage done?

At the very least it will not get worse from removing the toxins, I would think at least some improvements would start to manifest too.

 

[bjorb]

Re: "Young Men Who Smoke Have Lower IQs, Study Finds"

At the very least it will not get worse from removing the toxins

I can't argue that, but what I actually meant was for example: Having a hard time with discerning the difference between left or right. But I guess such kind of things are hard-wired and are by that permanent.