Products and Aids to Help You Quit Smoking

Products and Aids to Help You Quit Smoking Addiction Nicotine Use How to Quit Smoking Print Products and Aids to Help You Quit Smoking Be More Comfortable as You Quit By Terry Martin facebook twitter Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial policy Terry Martin Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD on July 14, 2016 Sanja Jelic, MD, is board-certified in sleep medicine, critical care medicine, pulmonary disease, and internal medicine.   Learn about our Medical Review Board Sanja Jelic, MD Updated on February 08, 2020 Science Photo Library/Getty Images More in Addiction Nicotine Use How to Quit Smoking After You Quit Nicotine Withdrawal Smoking-Related Diseases The Inside of Cigarettes Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Coping and Recovery Hands down the best quit aid on the planet is your own will and determination. If you arent motivated and committed to kicking the habit, no quit aid can help you. If you are ready to quit, any of them have the potential to work beautifully. That said, there are a variety of products on the market today that are designed to help people stop smoking gradually. Choosing one that is right for you is essentially a matter of preference, barring any medical concerns you might have. Its always a good idea to check with your doctor if youre thinking about smoking cessation to discuss what might work best for you before making a decision. A Word About Cold Turkey Cold turkey is the term used to describe quitting smoking without the help of quit aids  of any sort. The advantage of this method is that the majority of nicotine is out of a persons body within a few days. The discomforts can be intense, but physical withdrawal is short. A lot of people are able to stop smoking successfully by going cold turkey, but if this sounds too extreme for your liking, quit aids are a good option. How Your Brain Reacts to Nicotine Nicotine Replacement Therapy Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) provide a measured dose of nicotine to help ease the physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.?? Unlike cigarettes, which consist of thousands of poisonous and/or carcinogenic chemicals, NRTs contain only nicotine. When used according to the manufacturers directions, NRTs allow gradual withdrawal from nicotine by reducing the amount of it in each dose. Nicotine PatchThe nicotine patch is one of the most popular NRTs available on the market today.Nicotine InhalerThe nicotine inhaler  consists of a plastic cigarette-like tube that houses a replaceable nicotine cartridge and a mouthpiece. The cartridge contains nicotine which is released into the users mouth and throat when inhaled.Nicotine Nasal SprayThe nicotine nasal spray is inhaled through the nasal passages several times a day to relieve nicotine cravings.Nicotine LozengesThe nicotine lozenge comes in the form of a small, candy-like tablet. When placed in the mouth and allowed to dissolve, nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream.Nicotine GumUsed as a chewing gum, nicotine gum comes in two strengths: 2mg for people who smoke less than 25 cigarettes a day, and 4mg for those who smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day. The Downside of NRTs Because NRTs contain nicotine, the addictive component in tobacco, there is a slight risk of addiction when using these products. However, if you follow the manufacturers directions carefully and wean off the NRT of your choice as specified, this can be a safe and comfortable way to end your smoking addiction. Can You Be Addicted to Nicotine Gum? Nicotine-Free Quit Aids Several quit aids are available now that do not use nicotine as the active ingredient. The following therapies are given under a doctors care only. ZybanBupropion hydrochloride, marketed under the names Zyban, Wellbutrin SR, and Wellbutrin XL by GlaxoSmithKline, is an anti-depressant drug that also works well as a quit aid.?? It has been shown to dramatically reduce physical withdrawal symptoms associated with nicotine.ChantixDiscovered and developed by Pfizer, Inc, varenicline tartrate is marketed under the trademark of Chantix. Approved by the FDA in May 2006, Chantix has the unique ability to partially activate nicotinic receptors in the brain, which reduces cravings to smoke?? Additionally, if a person smokes during the course of Chantix treatment, the drug impedes smoking satisfaction by blocking nicotine from binding with these same receptors. Other Methods and Remedies HypnosisHypnosis seeks to put people into an altered state of mind where they become more susceptible to suggestion. Research on its effectiveness helping smokers to quit smoking is inconclusive, but it may help some people without risk of serious side effects.?? Learn what you need to know to decide if its right for you.Self-HypnosisStudies show that self-hypnosis may effectively help with pain, childbirth, stress, anxiety, and some pediatric issues. ??? It is not proven to help with smoking cessation, but some people do say its helped them quit while avoiding weight gain.AcupunctureAcupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice that uses needles placed at specific spots in the skin to treat pain or disease. There is some evidence that acupuncture might help people stop smoking, but more research is needed to see if it can effectively treat addiction to nicotine.??Lobelia as a Quit AidA medicinal herb used by Native Americans, Lobelia has qualities that are similar to nicotine w hile being 50â€"100 times weaker than nicotine.?? It is sometimes recommended as an herbal remedy for quitting smoking. What About the Electronic Cigarette? The electronic cigarette is a smoking alternative rather than a quit aid. It has not been approved in the U.S. as a quit aid as of yet, so there isnt a doctor-devised and approved quit plan to go with it. Even so, a lot of people use e-cigarettes to help  them quit smoking. 4 Facts About E-Cigarettes That You Need to Know Bottom Line Withdrawal from nicotine is just one part of the healing process we go through while recovering from nicotine addiction. The rest of the story involves how we let go of the many mental associations that have built up over the years between smoking and our lives. Quit aids cannot help us with this aspect of healing, but support and education can. Research and select your quit aid/method of approach, add some support and education, and youre on your way. Why the First Year of Smoking Cessation Is So Important