Posted on 05/16/2009 10:13:41 AM PDT by nickcarraway
I have an open mind for the research- I do know in some things exposure to something can keep you from getting ill. If that wasn’t true then vaccines would be worthless.
It would sure be ironic if in my lifetime I would live to see smoking go full circle from being acceptable to being the worst thing one can do back to acceptable. I don’t see that happening but I see things happen every day I never expected to see.
I do think there is a definate benefit to smoking- the reason most people smoke is to relieve stress. As smoking goes down we do see stress go up.
Anybody happen to know if it is the SMOKE from cigarettes that is a mast cell inhibitor — OR, perhaps, might the chemical nicotine (delivered via patch) also work to inhibit mastcells?
I’ve read that it’s been known for decades that IBS often becomes very severe in ex-smokers, but I’ve never seen any mention of mast cells - in fact, I’ve never seen any mention of WHY it becomes significantly, noticably worse.
However, maybe this explains it?
It seems that the impact of not smoking upon mast cell activity and resultant weight gain and occasional obesity may not be due to restriction of nicotine, but to the absence of SMOKE??
I don’t know, honestly. Nicotine is noted as being an appetite surpressant. Many over-the-counter antihistamines have the same effect. Maybe that’s the association, if there is any.
The rotten egg odor was a result of attempting to clean up automotive exhaust via catalytic converters. Before that (1974 for most makes, Honda being one of the few exceptions that I'm aware), automotive exhaust from gasoline engines really didn't smell all that bad.
What really has changed is widespread, tightly insulated houses, with the windows seldom being opened due to air conditioning. And, those houses went to wall-to-wall carpeting at about the same time. Drywall board replaced mold-inhibiting lime plaster, too. Several variables there, that could be a culprit. Video games and cable tv keeping kids inside aggravated the situation, all manner of behavioral changes associated with climate control.
Throw open your windows, turn off the tv and computer, get your kids outside at an early age. Let them get a little grubby as kids are wont to do, get a couple of pets. Epxose them to allergens while their immunity is still forming, and these several allergies won't be quite the issue that they are now. I recall only one person from my childhood with asthama, and pitied him. It's almost endemic now.
I would guess the nicotine, because the human body is loaded with nicotine receptors. They use the same receptors as one of our top neurochemicals, acetylcholine, used by every nerve in the body.
This is why plant generated nicotine is so deadly as an insecticide.
The rotten egg odor was a result of attempting to clean up automotive exhaust via catalytic converters.
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I was thinking more about the rotten egg odor that came from industrial sources, particularly coke plants.
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