Are you finally thinking about ditching combustible cigarettes for good, but you’re afraid of the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms? Well, you can blame nicotine, the addictive chemical that is constantly making you crave a smoke. Instead of simply going cold turkey and shocking your body, try a form of nicotine replacement therapy – gum, patches or e-cigarettes are the most popular – which gives the body exactly what it needs without the added health risks that come with inhaling tobacco. Increase your chances of quitting smoking by fulfilling your nicotine intake and giving yourself time you need to focus on your psychological dependency.
How does nicotine replacement therapy work?
If you’re a smoker that is trying to kick your habit, you already know that it can be extremely tough to rid yourself entirely of the stronghold of nicotine. This highly addictive chemical has the ability to change your brain chemistry, making you experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when your needs go unfulfilled. That is why many ex-smokers seek a nicotine replacement therapy as a means to make their transition easier and more effective.
Nicotine replacement therapies give your body a small amount of nicotine, allowing you to cut back on your smoking all while ensuring that your body isn’t experiencing symptoms of withdrawal. Gradually over time these therapies have the ability to reduce your cravings and physical side effects. Although, some replacement therapies are proven to work better than others.
The gum
Nicotine gum, also known as nicotine polacrilex, is an over-the-counter nicotine replace that is offered in varying strengths. Nicotine is immediately absorbed into the mucous membranes of your mouth when it is chewed. However, mouth and throat irritations, a bad aftertaste, jaw pain and a racing heart beat are some side effects that are often associated with nicotine gum. In addition, it doesn’t address the physical habits smokers are accustomed to like that hand to mouth action, inhaling vapor in lieu of smoke, and even holding the e-cig in the hand simulates holding a cigarette.
The patch
Another over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy, the patch, is placed directly onto your skin. In a matter of minutes, it releases a low, steady amount of nicotine. It is offered in a variety of concentration levels and hinges on your dependency to nicotine in order to determine its effectiveness. Sometimes the patch can cause irritations and redness to the skin, dizziness, headaches, nausea, muscle pain or insomnia. Like the gum, patches don’t address the physical habits of smoking, like going out for a break with co-workers or inhaling after a meal.
Electronic cigarettes
These battery-powered nicotine delivery devices are proven by research to be the most successful nicotine replacement therapy. The user inhales doses of vaporized nicotine with concentration levels that are chosen by them based on their nicotine dependency. This allows the user to pick the strength that fulfills their addiction at first and over time decrease to a lower nicotine strength e-liquid, if desired. Not only do e-cigarettes make ditching cigarettes easier, they also offer numerous health benefits for the user. Instead of inhaling smoke, e-cigarettes deliver the nicotine without any combustion. You can inhale your choice of flavored e-cig to come as close to your combustible cigarette experience as possible. As an effective smoking cessation tool, it gives you the power to alleviate your craving.
Which of the following nicotine replacement therapies have worked for you on your journey to put smoking in the past? Tell us in the comment section below.
