Pipe smoking and men's mental health.

Let's end the stigma and talk about it.
Shoutouts to
@TheTunnellTake
@Pipemonkey
@PiperX1X
@MalcolmGuitespell
@thepipecottage3301
@TheNorthGAPiper

[@TrojanPiper]

Bro! Thanks for stepping up and posting the video. I’m a therapist working with active duty service members in the States. I appreciate how you validate how the process works. It’s awesome that you are out and enjoying the woods and smoking a pipe. I tell people in my groups that I smoke a pipe and the value of the whole process. Peace my friend. Thanks for the courage to step on and step up!

[@KnottsAndPipes]

That's great work mate! It takes courage to help others especially your patients that have given so much. Kudos.

[@ElroyBeezley]

Thanks for your service to our servicewomen and servicemen.

[@ironleatherwood]

Thank you for your contribution to our pipe community. My story involves my dad. My dad got me into pipe smoking in my early twenties, 56 now. He had a lovely meersheaum pipe that he enjoyed more for the look than the smoke. While smoking it, he damaged it slightly. During my parents' retirement, there top floor of their log home caught on fire. The pipe was on the main floor and changed shades during the fire. The remodel took about a full year and was very challenging for them, as you could imagine. I currently have that pipe and I enjoy it because it brings back many good memories. My father has passed, and I'm blessed to have that pipe. I also smoke it in my rotation. Be blessed, my friend.

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Each pipe has a story to tell. Your pipe has a brilliant one!

[@nateprentice]

Beautiful. I’m a therapist, and I’m inspired by your progress. It gave me some ideas for a couple of my clients. Thanks.

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Glad I could help! Thanks for watching,

[@GrabowDuke89]

The pipe is an old friend, who is always there, and demands your attention. I just got reacquainted with my pipe again, after a long long time. You picked a good hobby mate.

[@HNXMedia]

When other folks don't have a frame of reference, especially with trauma, it is near impossible to get them to understand. Stay well.

[@Pipemonkey]

Well that took some courage mate, not a lot of fellas would open up like that so bravo to you,👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 I’ve been in a similar situation myself, I too was going dizzy almost to the point of falling over & lost count how many times I burst out crying but didn’t know why, I got so bad I was constantly thinking how to take my own life, it was at that point I decided to see my doctor, he diagnosed me with anxiety & depression, I just sobbed my heart out in front of him, he consoled me and put me on a corse of anti depressants this is long story, but eventualy I took myself off the tablets and took back control of my life, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. Great post mate can’t thank you enough. P.S. thank you for the shout out and happy Easter to you buddy👍👊🤝

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Glad you're still here to tell the tale mate! Thank you for your continued support.

[@jacobbrown8608]

I feel the same. I stopped smoking my pipe for a while. I was using other forms of nicotine and also thc, I just didn’t have the patience or the frame of mind to sit down and be content with my pipe. I said to myself one day that I’d like to be the man I was back when a pipe and mabey a good pint was enough to give me peace at the end of the day. I definitely suffer from anxiety or something akin to it. The bit about feeling worried or uneasy for no reason really registered with me. I’ve been through some things in my life but we all have haven’t we. However last year I experienced a life threatening incident that involved myself and my children. I believe that in addition to having lost my parents early in life this kind of set me over the edge. I really enjoy Malcom guides poetry on pipe smoking. I think it really illustrates what we are talking about. Also since I learned to clench my pipe and breath smoke, I feel like I have discovered the real meditative nature of this ritual. Especially while driving it is very relaxing but probably best if you’re outside admiring the beauty of the moment with your pipe. There is something about the woods that feels like it’s healing my mind or something it’s hard to describe but I imagine it’s how some people feel about church.

[@KnottsAndPipes]

I hear you, mate! And I'm glad you're out the other side unscatched. Sometimes, I get random attacks still but not as bad as they used to be (unless I'm hungover), but I manage them a lot better nowadays. It was just time and retraining my way of thinking. I think being in nature helps massively. It is, after all, our natural habitat before we turned the world to concrete Stay safe Chris

[@davidthompson1622]

Thanks Chris , good video…I had a bad period in my early twenties- anxiety, depression, panic attacks (it’s worse than any physical ailments IMO.) , the thing that really helped me ( I can’t stress enough about how much it helped) was CYCLING , I got a half decent bike (hadn’t had a bike since I was a kid) ….again, small steps at first…you don’t have to do Lands end to John O Groats , just go for short rides , and ‘lmportantly’ do it at a gentle pace , make it a pleasure, build up slowly, get out into the countryside if possible….I highly recommend this, no matter what your age , I guarantee it will help 🤙

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Thank you for sharing, David! I certainly agree that fighting a battle against your own mind is much harder than dealing with anything physical.. I've ended up in A&E many a time, but nothing compares.

[@gregb8824]

Very courageous video. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheGentlemanScholar]

Depression, despair, and PTSD are REAL mental health problems and must be addressed. 8:13

[@TruckinPiperBob]

Beautiful place, great chat, when you can talk about it, you have control of it 👊🏼✌🏼

[@chillaxe9603]

I'm glad i found the briar too. It helps a lot. I believe the natural male reaction to what's going on around us, is to nope tf out!!! Stay strong lad!

[@Stillypapabear]

Agree 100%

[@toddm6999]

Never be ashamed sharing is strength...thanks for the insight.I enjoy my pipe under an apple tree in my backyard...and I too go for long walks.

[@Tabako-san]

I'm not a man but came from a very conservative family and area where things like mental health were very much diminished as even a real thing. Your personal experience and description of anxiety made me feel a lot less alone. I never felt 'anxious' in my life so I completely disregarded my diagnosis later in life when I saw a doctor about my problems, not realising how bad I was letting it get and how much it was worsening my life. I'm learning to get better now, hiking and skating on my own to empty my brain of thoughts. I love this video a lot, I hope you keep moving forward and I look forward to more of your videos in the future. Have an amazing day.

[@KnottsAndPipes]

I'm glad I could help! Sometimes, it's just nice to know you're not alone. Stay strong, Madam!

[@robertricker3575]

Was just recommended this video during my morning pipe and coffee. Really enjoyed the topic, and appreciate you putting yourself out there. 6 years ago, I had a checkup. Based on my bloodwork alone, my doc asked me “How’s your drinking?” I jokingly replied, “Couldn’t be better!” She then asked about depression which I thought was preposterous. I now haven’t had a drink in over 2 years, and in my sobriety, don’t believe things have gotten much better. Worried about the economy, will I have enough for retirement, will there be a recession that sets my newfound savings goals back, etc. Just trying to find a bit of peace, myself. Thanks for the content, and hope you’re doing well, brother! Cheers from Dallas, TX, USA

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Hey, thanks for jumping in mate. Try not to worry about things out of your control. I often think about a quote I once heard that said "We suffer a lot more in our imagination than in reality" and that quote has helped me through worrying often. Keep strong lad!

[@LittleRaceCars]

Awesome video. Pipe and cigar smoking and going out to the smoking lounge has been a tremendous help. Im 47 from america.

[@bradysteiner6507]

What a beautiful place to have a smoke in. Cheers.

[@bingbong7316]

Difficult years, 19 or so. Suddenly the weight of your existence can be upon you and you ask yourself if you want to be part of it all. Crisis, hard to manage at that age. I can't speak too highly of the briar, truly the "pipe of peace"; I'm an old fart now but my word, I haven't forgotten those critical years; well done for finding your compass.

[@Vocatus2222]

Good on you for sharing your struggle. Pipe smoking can indeed be profoundly relaxing. Peaceful spot, thermos, quiet place in the woods. Good therapy

[@yusufsayed1583]

Good Afternoon 😊 Prayers going out to you buddy 🙏🏽 I understand Man's Mental health 😢 Have a great day and God Bless 🙏🏽 Greetings From South Africa 🇿🇦

[@Shuggysnuffs]

Good on you for talking about this buddy. An important part of health that often goes overlooked

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Thanks mate! It certainly is overlooked. Especially with people on the internet using mental health as an excuse for attention.

[@simonmartin5284]

Thanks for sharing brother. What you were saying struck a chord with me and my mental health which really helped. I will start looking for a pipe and try to stop smoking the cigarettes. Thanks again my friend. Kind regards Si ✌😎.

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Glad I could help my friend! Keep strong.

[@bradkeough8073]

Outstanding video brother, I know exactly how you feel especially the days that are so extreme you need to find a quiet space to stay so you can focus on keeping the darkness at bay. I find smoking a pipe helps ground me and clear the literal fog in my mind. I'm an old Chinook driver who has Parkinson's

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Hang in there, brother! Thank you for your service 🙏 God bless.

[@_leyrd_.]

I gave up antidepressants and started smoking more often (pipes, cigars and roll-ups) a month ago. Tobacco is definitely more therapeutic, i can't explain it, i just seem to feel more at one with the world after smoking. I have Asperger's syndrome so alienation is a major issue for me.

[@markklotz3675]

Just want to say thank you for sharing. You never know when the correct message will come across to somebody who needs it. This video has reminded me to take time for myself in the hectic world that we live in and the stresses that we face every day. I can only hope that this video finds many others that need it.

[@Saxonx500]

Good video Chris, My son died at 18 after suffering with anxiety, he couldn’t cope it seems - I was a fireman for over 30 years and didn’t understand what his problems were as on the face of it he didn’t have any, passed his driving test, best on his course as an electrician etc but there you go….I took up the pipe as way to get through my grief and it was the only thing that helped as my generation certainly won’t talk about feelings …..

[@KnottsAndPipes]

I'm terribly sorry to hear that. I think it's easy to blame ourselves when things like that happen. Especially as a parent. But it's not the parents' fault. You could be the best parent in the world, and it could happen. Look at Robin Williams, success, fame, and money. He had it all. But his mind was already made up. How are you coping now? That coupled with being a fireman for 30 years must have been gut-wrenching. You're made of strong stuff, my friend! I'm glad you're able to share your experiences with us too. That takes courage.

[@Saxonx500]

Thanks Chris, you don’t get over it but time helps and being able to sit and think with my pipe is a kind of therapy….I think because you get toughened up to death and destruction makes it easier to deal with in some ways but it didn’t help me help him when he was ill, you just can’t see why they don't ‘man up’ but as I say it’s a generational thing, we had tough parents who had even tougher parents ….. it is what it is I guess but I am glad you and Travis are pulling through 👍🏻

[@BillKeechPiperRacingPhotog]

Thank you for sharing, I have had depression and anxiety for pretty much my entire life

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Thank you for opening up, mate. How have you managed it?

[@BillKeechPiperRacingPhotog]

@@KnottsAndPipesmeds and a therapist and the YTPC 😊

[@KnottsAndPipes]

​@@BillKeechPiperRacingPhotog Thank you for sharing, my friend. Wishing you all the best!

[@user-lv9ox1hj4j]

Hello bill😊👋🏼.

[@BillKeechPiperRacingPhotog]

@@user-lv9ox1hj4j hey Francisco !!

[@brianmitchell8998]

Thanks for sharing brother. I suffer from some of the same anxieties. I’ve recently started smoking a pipe. I really enjoy it and how it forces me to relax and process the day and life.

[@md3631363]

This is a great video. Thanks for sharing this. I've been dealing with bad anxiety and depression since I was 21 and I'm 38 now. I struggle every day. I find that pipe smoking is a great way to relax especially in a peaceful place such as in the woods. I also enjoy fishing and photography to relax and take my mind off of things. A coffee or tea and a pipe is a great relaxation method for me and the occasional beer and pipe is pretty good too. Thanks for sharing this and for everyone in the comments that shared their experience with this type of thing :)

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Stay well, my friend.

[@md3631363]

@@KnottsAndPipesthanks

[@jacquesjoubert6793]

Great video my friend. Depression is hard. Happy Easter

[@tramperscott]

Just found your channel. Great video. I can understand. Nothing to be ashamed of. Pipe smoking and hiking help me a lot. Subbed you. Be well

[@Smartiebob317]

New subscriber here and you have a great message to tell. Thank you. 💨

[@mostlydilettante]

This chat helped me. I’ve had some struggles for a few years. Picked up my pipe again a few weeks ago and it felt like an old friend. Started wanting again. This is what KZbin is for. Getting back at it now. Stay well m8.

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Glad I could help mate. Keep fighting 💪

[@ElroyBeezley]

Love and respect, brother. I struggle with depression and anxiety.

[@ElroyBeezley]

Also a pipe smoker of many years. 🎉

[@user-mb1hg4qu9f]

Thank you, sir. 👍👍

[@Jame629]

Ive suffered anxiety and manic depression since 17 finally now im 40 im doing something about it on some great medication and started talking therapy and not felt so positive in years this is a good subject mens mental health is ignored these kinda videos help raise subject 👍

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Glad you're on the up mate! Keep going!

[@Stillypapabear]

Hi Chris. I’m sitting outside having a pipe watching the sun rise. Thanks for posting this video. We need to hear how others handled things we struggle with. Gave me some ideas I need to share. I’ll be sure to tag you if it’s alright.

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Absolutely mate! I want this to open up all sorts of avenues for people. Thanks for watching!

[@Griffin_pipes]

Just found your channel and gave you a sub. My wife and daughter have bad anxiety they really struggle at times.

[@KnottsAndPipes]

I'm sorry to hear that! All you can do is let them know you are there for them and support as best you can.

[@friaraspen]

Great video, thanks for sharing! Your efforts to normalize the reality of mental health experiences for men truly helps to make a difference in the world, and it is much needed.

[@briandawkins984]

A super video. I was a social worker for 30 years and still suffer from anxiety and mild trauma symptoms from my time dealing with children and families. I finished work 5 years ago. I am still recovering. As to smoking and talking generally it’s not a skill I’ve mastered. 😊

[@KnottsAndPipes]

That's a very noble thing to have done. You should be super proud of yourself, mate. It's a whole different kettle of fish when kids are involved. It takes utter resilience to deal with and like I said, you can only deal with so much until it breaks you. The important thing is that you come back to us. 🙏

[@markrichardbyrne]

Very good video , and well done talking out that can help lots of others , felling the same way .

[@Tomtomoutdoors]

I’m glad I found this video I help my parents all the tiem and am disabled my self. So I don’t get Mutch time to process time to my self and I’ve picked up the pipe in order to get some time to my self and relax and slow down it helps

[@tiredenough7739]

Dont have to say other than a great video. Sometimes getting through your emotions isnt being all squishy and emotional but working together with your friends to endure and overcome your problems together. Have a great day sir.

[@bruceloumeau7738]

Hello I have a mentall condition and part of it is anziouty so I know the struggle very well and I'm pipe smoker myself I love the pipe I find it to be very soothing relaxing and stress releaveing I've smoked a pipe for + - 8 or 9 year's now but as far as my condition and anziouty I'm on medication for that and never ever dowt the use of medication a lot of people don't like the meds but the doctors are not there to make you sicker thay there actually to help you so speak to a brain doctor I can't spell the name of them but I'm sure you understand and thay could give you a tablet that will most certainly help you but it's very inportant to tell them what you experiencing on the tablet thay will ejust it or decrease it accordingly if the feel there needs to be ejusting or decreasing made and trust me you will cope so much better I've been staybill for 14 year's now and still going strong just try it out you will be surprised how it works

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Meds certainly helped me recover when I was going through it.

[@stevebrassington3227]

Good on you mate. PTSD is I very difficult thing to deal with, as you said it never goes away, we just have to try to live with it. Keep up the good work 👍

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Thanks mate!

[@MikeHarlyn-lh9jo]

CP, you mention the pipe as grounding .Do you really want to be grounded for the duration of a smoke or would you rather be taken somewhere else for a short while? I regard my pipe as an instrument of meditation,of flight. These are my tips, give them a go or disregard them as you wish: Just smoke your pipe.Do nothing else, no books,no music, nothing.Sit quietly with as few distractions as possible.Do everything slowly: selecting your tobacco, packing your pipe and lighting it. Now the most important thing,CADENCE. Sip gently at your pipe,barely enough to keep it lit and focus you eyes on the bowl and the rising wisps.If your cadence is slowed down enough,it will be wisps rather than clouds of smoke.After a while your focus naturally begins to blur and you are on your way.On your way to deep relaxation and who knows where else. Kind regards,Mike.

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Great question! I agree with you. The thing with the pipe is, it naturally grounds you. Then from there you can get back to what you were doing. I'm not a psychologist or anything special. I'm simply speaking of my own experiences and how it has helped me in the hope that it may also help others. Thanks for watching and stay smokey!

[@jasonclarke7422]

Great video and I can agree with everything you said, I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety for years and it got so bad that at the beginning of the year I went to see the doctor and was prescribed some antidepressants which have helped me massively, I’m trying to give up smoking but being a roll your own smoker I really miss the whole process of rolling and smoking, I should imagine that it is the same with pipe smoking. I have bought myself some herb’s (legal stuff) 😂 and plan on getting a pipe to smoke it in just to fill the void that I feel I have at the moment, but I still want to stay clear of my 35 year addiction to nicotine. Have they still got the New Forest ice cream van in the Bolderwood car park, as I always used to get my wife and I a rum and raisin ice cream from there 😋

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Awesome! You do what works for you mate, that's all that matters. The ice cream van is still there but I wouldn't know about that 👀

[@chrisschmitt2895]

You have good voice for this. Keep it up bro. People you dont even know are proud of you

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Thanks mate!

[@danallshaw1131]

Picked up a churchwarden and looking forward to some quiet time.

[@Saxonx500]

Also I grew up on the New Forest, it’s a great place!

[@KnottsAndPipes]

I'd give just about anything to move there. My favourite place in the world!

[@TheTunnellTake]

I'll do you a vr if I can remember! Yeah I'm an old man now. 😊😊

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Thanks, mate! Don't worry about it, I'm a young man and just spent a few minutes working out what VR meant 😂😂😂

[@prettyromanticmusic]

Man when I was 19, I had anxiety so bad I would get physically ill, like I’m talking sick as a stray dog man. I would get in the parking lot of job after getting dropped off… and I would just sit there… like “I can’t go in there… I can’t…” I would get literally nauseous… and sometimes when I go into work and puke… sometimes I would puke before work…. I was straight out of high school… now in high school I was depressed… really depressed… turns out I have MDD… but I never felt like that before… I thought I was dying lol… but I had something some call “work anxiety” now I’m just squidward lol I hate my job… 26 and still working at the place that made me throw up every single night… I’m doin better now… I guess I’m doin better.

[@KnottsAndPipes]

"If you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill Having a job is good! It allows you to provide yourself an income whilst you decide what path you want to take. I hope thing work out mate. Stay solid.

[@pnwesty7174]

Respect.

[@torgomax]

Subscribing👍

[@PeacePipeMan]

Here here!!!!!!

[@mattheww797]

I found low vitamin d can trigger anxiety symptoms.

[@LemuriaBrahmeeVisnuShiva999]

🙏💫👌

[@LemuriaBrahmeeVisnuShiva999]

Thank you very much! Video very true! 🙏🙂💛🪽🌞✨

[@intensifiedathlete1384]

I would suggest the book hope and help for your nerves by dr Claire weekes. Thank me later

[@vadanfelix5577]

hi, I can't enter in places where are people I feel like I'm going to pass out ,can not work can do nothing

[@KnottsAndPipes]

I used to have the same thing. Don't try and force yourself to do it. Maybe just try taking smaller steps towards a bigger goal. Just take your time, maybe start with a crowd of just 2 people, then work your way up. Have you tried cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)? That can really help.

[@vadanfelix5577]

Thanks, no I heve not tried CBT ,now I’m back to my parents home and I don’t work and I have not money to do anything I’m in checkmate

[@KnottsAndPipes]

​@vadanfelix5577 You're not in a check-mate. You're a human being that is currently slightly unwell. We all get unwell, and it's nothing to be ashamed of. I was in your exact position once. This will get better, but you have to work at it one step at a time. Try CBT and follow their advice. It can really help. Until then, set yourself a few small goals each day / tasks to complete. It will help you refind your sense of purpose. And even if you mess a task up, it's not the end of the world because tomorrow is a new day! Stay strong mate. I'm routing for ya! 💪👊

[@sungazer454]

Anxiety doesn’t exist. Don’t get into a panic thinking that you have anxiety. Shut off your thoughts, stop these thoughts, they’re not you, that’s something else, don’t let thoughts control you. Just live, enjoy everything around you, do what you want to do, what you need to do, everything works without thinking all the time.

[@KnottsAndPipes]

If only that were the case.

[@TheNewMediaoftheDawn]

Nice pipe👌

[@KnottsAndPipes]

Thanks mate. It's a Peterson 307 rustic