Homely Scientist

Okay still no smoking.  Beyond the patch I think having a sinus infection has a lot to do with it.  I’ll take it though if it gets me over the first couple weeks.

Anyway, one of the earlier times I tried quitting smoking I used the patch and was warned (it’s even on the box/insert) if you keep it on at night you’ll have vivid dreams.  I remembered this last night, just not just before I went to bed.  So, yes, I fell asleep with the patch on.  Vivid dreams?  OMG.  Bizarre.  Freaky.  I had essentially two dreams last night that were like part one and part two of each other (I remembered dream one during dream two).

Nothing like scary bizarre or anything.  Nor was there romping with scantily clad women (pity).  Just major strangeness.  You know dreams that you’re not quite sure if you’re dreaming or if it’s real.  That’s how I felt when I woke up.

I should say that this cold, and now raging sinus infection, have been doing similar things to my sleep this past week, but nothing like last night.

From a science aspect I have to ask myself why.  Why would wearing the patch at night do this?  Here’s my hypothesis.  Nicotine is a stimulant.  Okay it’s also one of the world’s most deadly poisons, but we’re not going there. My bet is that since most people don’t smoke when they are asleep, they aren’t getting these hits of nicotine when they hit dreamland.  However if you’re wearing the patch, that’s exactly what you’re getting.

Don’t forget that tobacco was used by First Nations peoples to induce states of euphoria, etc for connecting with the spirit world.  Nicotine is one mother powerful substance!

I wonder if the cravings will start once I’m healthy again.  Hmm.  I’ll keep you posted.

Comments Off