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Chris the Science Geek answers your questions about CRS

 
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kevin
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Quit Date:
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Posts: 9538
Location: cincinnati, oh

PostPosted: August 5, 2004 4:49 PM    Post subject: Chris the Science Geek answers your questions about CRS Reply with quote

there have been several posts lately about the loss of concentration that we often experience when we quit smoking. this condition is commonly referred to as "CRS (Can't Remember S**t) Syndrome", and one of the regular posters over at quitnet is a scientist who posted a series of articles there about various effects of quitting. this is the one about CRS:

(written by quitnet member csavage)

This is for any newbies (or even oldbies) that wonder, "why is it I feel so light-headed, dopey and stoned now that I have quit smoking...?"

Well, pull up a chair and Chris the Science Geek will tell you why...

<cue dream sequence music and spinning spiral...>

When you burn the leaves of tobacco and inhale the combustion products, you inevidibly inhale a whole bunch of a certain chemical called carbon monoxide. You may be familiar with this chemical; it's the same one that spews out of the, uh , "backside" of your car. So, yup, it's kinda like doing tailpipe hits. The carbon monoxide, aka "CO", takes up space in your bloodstream that would normally be occupied by another certian chemical that goes by the name of oxygen, aka O2. Funny thing is, your body uses the O2 but can *not* use the CO. In fact, in large enough doses, CO will suffocate/poison you. This is why doctors do not recommend that you get into your car in a closed garage, run a hose from the tailpipe into the window and start the engine. Take it from me, this is a Bad Idea.

Anyway, your body, being the unbelievable wondrous machine that it is, responds to this mini-suffocation that you are inflicting on it by increasing something called your "packed red cell count". Why does your body do this, you ask? I'll tell you why: in your blood are cells (they're red, go figure) that carry O2 from your lungs to other parts of your body. Because the CO uses up some of their ability to carry O2, you need more to carry the amount of O2 you need to live. So, your body produces about 10-20% more red blood cells. When your doctor is looking at your blood they will often separate out the red blood cells by spinning your blood in a centrifuge. The red blood cells all go to the bottom of the test tube, nicely compacted. The doctor measures the volume of these packed cells and that number is called (wait for it) the packed red cell volume. Neato, huh?!

Because humans have a pretty consistent level of red cells, doctors can actually tell if you are a smoker by looking at your level.

So, now your body is happily chugging along, coughing and hacking a lot but at least getting enough O2 to keep you alive. Then you quit smoking. Very rapidly the reduction in CO that you are breathing causes a precipitous drop in the amount of CO in your blood. But here YOU are, still walking around with 10-20% higher O2 carrying ability. So, you get a little, well, giddy. Kinda dopey. Hell, you're stoned, let's call it what it is. You are actually walking around in a state of constant, low-level hyperventilation.

Eventually your body realizes the big favor you have done it and stops producing red blood cells for awhile so that you can get back down to your normal level. When that happens, the dizziness will go away.

What can you do about it? Well, my advice is to breathe deeply and enjoy this free buzz. Ever hear of oxygen bars over in Tokyo? Well, they have them. You go in and belly up to the bar, lay down your coin and huff pure oxygen for awhile. But YOU get to do it for free!!! Take advantage of your inebriated state and blame absolutely every little mistake, faux pas and error on it. You won't often get this opportunity so DON'T BLOW IT!!!

One more word of advice: you may want to avoid making major decisions, operating heavy equipment or performing death-defying stunts for awhile. Ya just never know...

This has been a public service announcement by Chris the Science Geek. No warranty, expressed or implied, is given - use at your own risk. Offer void where prohibited, please allow 10-12 weeks for delivery. Your mileage may vary.
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PinkLungs



Quit Date:
July 19, 2004

Posts: 139

PostPosted: August 5, 2004 5:11 PM    Post subject: Thank you. Reply with quote

Thank you, I will give a copy of this to all my co-workers, friends, family members, and any cashier I may encounter.

Thank you... I'm going to go eat some chips and cookies... no wait... wrong high... oh I'll just sit down and giggle.

Thanks.

PinkLungs
17+ days smoke-free and high
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kannprint



Quit Date:
April 10, 2004

Posts: 4988
Location: St. Louis, MO

PostPosted: August 5, 2004 5:13 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Kevin,

Sure enjoyed reading the article by Chris the Science Geek. Is he a friend of yours? Same clever sense of humor. Very Happy
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Jo
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ms_tapestry



Quit Date:
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Posts: 2574
Location: Seminole, TX

PostPosted: August 5, 2004 7:16 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good information. Thanks. Very Happy
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Tonya

You must do the very thing you think you cannot do.
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kevin
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Location: cincinnati, oh

PostPosted: August 5, 2004 8:49 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

kannprint wrote:
Hi Kevin,

Sure enjoyed reading the article by Chris the Science Geek. Is he a friend of yours? Same clever sense of humor. Very Happy

not really, Jo, but he's been a member of quitnet nearly as long as i have (i joined in december of 2001 and he joined in february of 2002), so i've read - and enjoyed - lots of his stuff. he may be aware of me, too, but i couldn't swear to that...
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kevin

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penny



Quit Date:
October 18, 2004

Posts: 37
Location: Jackson, Michigan

PostPosted: August 6, 2004 9:31 AM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow! Do I feel better! I think I'm gonna sit back today and enjoy my buzz!

Woooo Hoooooo!

Thanks for the info Kevin!

Penny
1 month & 1 day
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julie



Quit Date:
July 19, 2004

Posts: 224
Location: Indiana

PostPosted: August 6, 2004 11:55 AM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Me too!!!!!!

Julie - day 19
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Cowgirl UP!



Quit Date:
July 26, 2004

Posts: 5029
Location: Ala

PostPosted: August 7, 2004 11:44 PM    Post subject: Reply with quote

Laughing
My internist is a pulmonary specialist and he would certainly get a kick out of this one....now I know why he was always checking my blood when I said I had quit before. LOL

I think I will use the CRS stoned time and enjoy it...I have always been so good.
Kay
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