Why Cigars are actually very good for you.

[Fosgate]

He's got a point....a very good point. All the doctors can say what they want about cigars not being a safe alternative to cigarettes etc. But what about a safe alternative to stress? Or taking a break from a hectic schedule to spend time with your loved ones? So what about the happiness one experiences and enjoys directly and indirectly from a cigar. 

 

 

[Paladin865]

Better a cigar than an antidepressant with a load of bad side effects

[Kaptain Karl]

Cigars have been amazing for my mental health the past year. Gives me time to read, reflect, and be introspective. I’ve noticed how much better my mind functions when I give myself that time than when I don’t! 

[chris12381]

Just had my annual check up. Was asked by the nurse during a pre interview phone call about drinking and smoking.  When I told her I smoke cigars ("About 5 a week"), she seemed appalled and the nurse said the doctor might want to "discuss that with me."

Turns out she did.  My doctor asked my why I smoked cigars.  I told her I found them to be relaxing. They allow me to decompress and my girlfriend smokes them as well and it's something with both enjoy doing together.  Pre-pandemic, when I battling SF Bay Area traffic, I would enjoy a cigar stuck in bumper to bumper.  Everyone around me was irate, agitated and just pissed off.  But I was relaxed and mellow.  My doctor said, "It sounds to me like any negative health effects from you smoking cigars in moderation are outweighed from the positive effects they have on your mental health." 

[Squarehead]

It's relaxing for me and by the way my doctor is also a cigar smoker

[djrey]

One of the number one killers of males today is heart disease due to stress. Conquer your stress and arguably knock out the leading cause of death. Therefore one can argue a cigar/pipe smoker is healthier than a non smoker. 

[Frozen North]

I started smoking cigars due to stress and anxiety, right after my son passed away in Feb 2014. They have been very helpful for me.

[Alex777]

Cigars really help me to deal with my anxiety and panic attacks. Though my doctor prescribed me meds, I don't want to take them often, especially after checking the information about them on the Canadian pharmacy site. So, I decided to try other ways of treatment first. I started doing sports, changed my nutrition, etc. But I noticed that cigars make me calm down fast. 

[wine65]

In a COVID world we all have a better appreciation for points raised in the video. Trying to maintain balance is everything and it's easier said than done in reality. The point is we realize it and try our best. One cigar at a time.

[Puros Y Vino]

An anecdotal example here.  A few years back I had a health scare and went to the hospital. Answered all the questions the doctor would ask of you.  When it came to "do you smoke?"  I didn't want to lie about it and told him I smoked cigars on average 2-3 week in summer and 1-2/month in colder months(outside of the odd binge at a herf, this is true).  His answer surprised me.  He said as long as it wasn't cigarettes your cigar regimen shouldn't be an issue.  He added they're good for relieving stress.  I've had similar exchanges with doctors and dentists, some of whom admittedly enjoyed cigars as well, so they're not completely unbiased.  Also, in a COVID world, the French and Americans are noticing smokers are not getting hit that hard if they caught it.  Apparently the nicotine inhibits the virus' replication.  So nicotine patches are being used as therapy in France. So, I guess we're doing our part to "stay safe"?  😁

[Chibearsv]

On 2/6/2021 at 4:20 PM, Squarehead said:

It's relaxing for me and by the way my doctor is also a cigar smoker

My doctor told me once I should quit and I told him that’s not going to happen so let’s never talk about it again....and we haven’t 😁

[Nino]

On 2/6/2021 at 11:20 PM, Squarehead said:

It's relaxing for me and by the way my doctor is also a cigar smoker

Same here 🙂  - was just with my doctor last Friday for talks and brought him a nice aged PLPC to smoke, he was happy and so am I.

Here is a post in German of my doctor smoking with us at the Mainz Hyatt back in 2008 and explaining health risks to our cigar club....

http://flyingcigar.de/smoking-cigars/200804-zigarren-mit-meinem-arzt/

[Cairo]

I am probably older than most here--one advantage is that I can stare the doctor/nurse in the eye and say--"been smoking them my whole life and I am still here".

If they continue the discussion any further I just say "I plan to outlive you...".  🙂

Attitude--have a good one!

[ZigZauer]

1. Relaxing.
2. Sense of achievements smoking a well aged cigar that you bought and stored yourself.
3. Help me stop smoking cigarettes.
4. Drains my funds so I am financially incapable of having affairs with anybody.


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[Squarehead]

16 hours ago, nino said:

Same here 🙂  - was just with my doctor last Friday for talks and brought him a nice aged PLPC to smoke, he was happy and so am I.

Here is a post in German of my doctor smoking with us at the Mainz Hyatt back in 2008 and explaining health risks to our cigar club....

http://flyingcigar.de/smoking-cigars/200804-zigarren-mit-meinem-arzt/

Gefaelt mir sehr Nino

[Enduin]

I remember reading a few articles years ago about the fact that smokers (usually cigarette smokers but that would apply even more so to cigar smokers) have statistically significant lower rates of Parkinson Disease compared to the general non-smoking population. I'll post the study if I can find it.

I believe the study pointed to the effects of nicotine, which binds to acetylcholine receptors, as the possible mechanism by which tobacco use provided protection from Parkinson. I have a gut feeling that this effect has also something to do with the harmala alkaloids that are contained in tobacco leaves, which are MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). For those not familiar, MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin and adrenaline. This keeps the levels of those neurotransmitters higher (which is why MAOIs are used as antidepressant), while also obviously keeping the levels of neurotransmitters metabolism byproducts lower. These metabolism byproducts are known to potentially cause oxidative stress in the brain which can result in receptors damage and loss. This could definitely be another mechanism by which tobacco use can provide some protection against PD, which is linked to the dopamine system in the brain. 

Considering that there is no doubt in my mind that cigar smoking is way less harmful than cigarette smoking, I think that there is a decent chance that moderate cigar smoking could provide significant health benefits without significant health risks. Plus, and this is anecdotal, all the interviews I've seen with some of the big names (CC and NC) older gentlemen, they seemed very sharp-minded for their age. There might be something there!

[Connoisseur Kim]

On 2/7/2021 at 2:53 AM, njpinette said:

Better a cigar than an antidepressant with a load of bad side effects

Much agreed! Cuban cigars give pleasure with heavenly taste and joyfulness especially during herf sessions with BOTLs/SOTLs. Cigars also make me a true BAMF like Duke Nukem 😂.

[LLC]

I’m not sure I’d say they are very good for you but I do agree and personally experience a calming/relaxing effect that I’m sure has benefits. I look at it more like they aren’t as bad for your as what many people assume.


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[LordAnubis]

Not a single person anywhere can say a cigar is good for you. It's not. No matter how you want to look at. It's relative though. 

Relaxation is a great and much needed thing in todays world theres no doubt about it. But cigars are not the only thing that you can sit down and relax with. Music, Books, even TV, almost anything that you can relax with that doesnt involve smoking would be a better option. 

[gcman68]

I just got back from my annual physical that was covid delayed but my doctor was almost relentless about the negative effects of cigars for no specific reason as it related to my specific instance.  I politely reminded him of the famous George Burns quote where he said; 

"If I had taken my doctor's advice and quit smoking when he advised me to, I wouldn't have lived to go to his funeral." George Burns