689. The Truth About Nicotine Addiction: Is Nicotine Really Good for Your Health? w/ Luke & Alyson Storey

Forty years into a nicotine habit, I tried to quit cold turkey, and it nearly broke me.Alyson was on the beach communing with grasshoppers and golden orb weavers while I was under the covers in a dark hole, trying to white-knuckle my way off nicotine, mambé, and Ambil after finishing my book.Same place, drastically different trips.We get into what happens when a habit doesn't wreck your life but still runs it, and why "biohacker-friendly" substances can be harder to walk away from than anyone tells you. Alyson shares how she attunes to a land before arriving, the message she received before Costa Rica, and the animal encounters that shaped her three weeks there.I open up about the emotional hangover of writing A Horse Named Lonesome, why microdosing iboga didn't help me the way I hoped, and the conversation with Ian Mitchell that changed my plan.Casting now: Match with The Field Reveal, an unscripted love series for spiritually-minded/conscious singles who are ready to finally have their match revealed! To be considered for phase one of casting for the Live Love events and/or unscripted reality love series, email [email protected] with your full name, age, city/state, gender, preferred gender for partner, three to five images (one full body/lifestyle), and your three main interests/passions/hobbies by October 1, 2026.Visit lukestorey.com/melalight and use code LUKE for 15% off.Visit bioptimizers.com/luke and use code LUKE15 to save 15% off sitewide. Plus, get a free bottle of MassZymes while supplies last.Visit lukestorey.com/urbanroots and use code LUKE to save 20% off your first purchase and 40% off your first order when you subscribe.You'll learn:[0:00] Introduction[2:36] Tuning into the land before arriving and hearing "come here as the new you" [15:53] Why I tried to quit nicotine and coca leaf in Costa Rica[22:43] The shock of going cold turkey off nicotine[30:42] Habit-forming alkaloids that made overuse easy to justify[36:34] Forty years addicted and Ian Mitchell's honest verdict[47:54] The night Alyson’s stern clarity broke through my nicotine fog [1:02:34] The golden orb weaver spider and shifting from fear to love[1:10:14] A Horse Named Lonesome and what writing it without a ghostwriter demanded[1:24:15] Lonesome Conversations and the root of most human suffering[1:36:17] My latest picks from Melalight to QOVA[1:46:17] This month's Field Reveal Energy Forecast Resources Mentioned:Coca Leaf | WikipediaIboga | WikipediaKetamine | WikipediaKratom | WikipediaNicotine | WikipediaAyahuasca | WikipediaPrimeadine | WebsiteNuCalm | WebsiteNeuroVIZR | WebsiteFull show notes at lukestorey.com/689Related The Life Stylist Episodes:Quantum Biology: The Consciousness Connection of Science & Spirit | PodcastFind more from Alyson:Alyson Charles Storey | Website | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTubeGet the Animal Power book and deck, plus a free guided drumming shamanic journey to meet your power animal, at alysoncharles.com/animalpowerFind more from Luke:Luke Storey | Website | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube | LinkedInMy new book, A Horse Named Lonesome, launches November 17, 2026. Pre-order now at ahorsenamedlonesome.com and get bonuses: access to my Inner Circle Book Club, an exclusive Lonesome Conversations six-part miniseries, and an ebook transcript of the series.The Life Stylist is Brought To You By:ACTIVATION PRODUCTS | Visit activationproducts.com/luke and use code LUKE for 15% off your order.BIOPTIMIZERS | Visit bioptimizers.com/luke and use code LUKE15 to save 15% off sitewide.LEELA QUANTUM | Go to lukestorey.com/leelaq and use code LUKE10 for 10% off your first order.NUCALM | Visit lukestorey.com/nucalm to start your free seven-day trial and save 15% on your subscription.