Pipe smoking as Aromatherapy

mfresa

Gentlemen, having just read @pwkarch 's review on his Christmas blend, it makes me wonder if pipe smoking is vaguely similar to aromatherapy.  Every once in a while we hear about aromas that are supposed to soothe the soul, and I wonder if the process of stuffing tobacco in a bowl and lighting it off, and appreciating the aromas given off, isn't our equivalent to burning incense or plugging aromatic oils into the wall (with the appropriate gadget), or burning aromatic candles.  Thoughts?

pwkarch

@mfresa

Hey M.......there is no doubt in my mind that pipe smoking is very much akin to 'aroma therapy". I am not certain what tobaccos rise to the levels of "essential oils" (I am not even sure I know what an "essential" oil is), but I do know that some of the blends I smoke make me very satisfied and happy. In all likelihood, it is the nicotine that raises our moods if that is what "essential oils" do, but I know when I finish a bowl of one of my favorites I am satisfied. I suppose there is also a feeling of being mellow and relaxed (in my case, except for Perique and Latakia). And I would suggest that pipe tobacco has a double effect due to the wonderful favorite aromas AND the moderate dosage of nicotine. EITHER way or both, I love the taste and the aroma of my favorite blends.

mfresa

@pwkarch, yes, I forgot about the nicotine factor. 

Topaz75

Not buying it. If such were the case, there wouldn’t be so many unfortunate fellows on this forum whose wives have forbidden them to smoke in their own home. I suspect it’s hard to soothe your soul in the winter when you’re freezing your ass off in the garage.

mfresa

@Topaz75, I agree most of the women would not think it so. My wife included unfortunately.

mseddon

This is brilliant! I'm going to tell my wife that I'm doing aromatherapy whilst I smoke in the house!

mseddon

It didn't work.

mfresa

@mseddon, that's hysterical!!  sorry it didn't work LOL

Londy3

Yeah, girls aren't buying it. Oh the shame.

thebadgerpiper

If my wife discovered me smoking my pipe in the house and claimed aromatherapy, she'd roll her eyes and push me out the door.

buflosab

I think you may have a point mfresa.

Londy3

This is yet another reason us boys need our own space.

mfresa

@Londy, yes, absolutely.  We can still claim it is aromatherapy, whether the girls believe it or not (I kinda think it is).

pwkarch

So........the next question level of pipe smoking being aromatherapy: Can we get our doctors to write an Rx for aromatherapy? You know, to lower blood pressure and anxiety, stress, etc. If so, can we deduct our tobacco purchases from our Income Tax? Medical Expenses!  Who wants to try it first?

mfresa

@pwkarch, that is a GREAT idea

xDutchx

I have read that our sense of smell, triggers our brain to recall, moreso than any of our other senses. Add to that, the ritual of drying tobacco, loading our pipe, and slowly setting fire to it, and I would have to agree that pipe smoking provides aromatherapy, if aromatherapy actually exists. I suppose it goes back to the old Proverb, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Most days, I thinketh I definitely have heartburn, more specifically acid reflux.

mfresa

@xDutchx, it is true smell triggers recall.  Hope you get over the heartburn.

pwkarch

Whenever I am in traffic and smell deisel fumes, I am right back at sea again standing a bridge watch. The smell of a balsam fir Christmas tree and I am a kid again, at home, waiting for Santa. The sense of smell is an incredible thing as it elicits smells from our past.

mfresa

There was a study done years ago that proved how well smell works for recall:  Students were told to eat chocolate while studying for an exam.  During the exam they took out a piece of chocolate and smelled it during the exam (not eating it).  The students who ate while studying scored significantly higher, on average, than those that did not.
Strange but true....