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As you are planning your approach how you will quit smoking you need to make a decision. One of more popular options is nicotine replacement therapy. You use nicotine spray, patch or gum instead of cigarette to get your nicotine fix.
These are supposed to decrease cravings and eliminate withdrawal symptoms but are they really doing what is claimed. On one of my shorter attempts to quit I used nicotine gum. It wasn’t short because of the gum. I’m not even sure what kind of magic I expected that gum to do. Now they probably have nicotine gum that has a decent taste but I tried unscented one from leading brand and it tasted like unwashed socks.
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Nicotine gum tastes this way because it is nicotine delivery system. Nicotine is a thing that not so long ago was used as a pesticide and it was banned due to high toxicity. You just can’t make it taste good. But taste is really only a small problem.
When you breathe in cigarette smoke you get a cocktail of chemicals but it is the nicotine that messes with your brain the most. Nicotine is the chemical in smoke you are addicted to. 1 |
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Nicotine gum breaks the habit of smoking process but it does not eliminate element you are addicted to. All these nicotine replacement therapy products are counterproductive in the long run. 2
Your body will naturally get rid of nicotine in only three days and do you want to know how long nicotine gum program is supposed to last? 1 To, as they put it, “improve your chances of success” you need to use that gum for 12 weeks. 3
Smoking is a self-sustaining circle of misery as you smoke to “calm down”, increase your attentiveness and other reasons but these reasons are created by nicotine withdrawal which starts right away as soon as you are done smoking that cigarette.
By using nicotine gum you are not breaking this circle. You continue the same circle but substitute cigarettes with the gum. That’s why nicotine gum FAQ section has recommendation that if you need, you can use the gum for longer than recommended 12 weeks. 3
So is nicotine gum effective? Can nicotine gum help me quit?
If you expect some sort of a magic effect like I did – no, it won’t help you. Nicotine gum doesn’t change your brain wiring or anything like that. This is why once you decide to quit smoking you need to come up with a strong motivation and an approach plan.
Nicotine gum is a highly advertised product. Results of studies manufacturers show are for rather short period of 4 – 6 months. By substituting one source of nicotine with another you just change what you are addicted to. Long term success depends on your attitude towards smoking and studies have shown that replacement therapy does not improve long term results. 2; 4 ; 5
What are possible side effects of nicotine gum?
Your body will naturally get rid of nicotine in only three days and do you want to know how long nicotine gum program is supposed to last? 1 To, as they put it, “improve your chances of success” you need to use that gum for 12 weeks. 3
Smoking is a self-sustaining circle of misery as you smoke to “calm down”, increase your attentiveness and other reasons but these reasons are created by nicotine withdrawal which starts right away as soon as you are done smoking that cigarette.
By using nicotine gum you are not breaking this circle. You continue the same circle but substitute cigarettes with the gum. That’s why nicotine gum FAQ section has recommendation that if you need, you can use the gum for longer than recommended 12 weeks. 3
So is nicotine gum effective? Can nicotine gum help me quit?
If you expect some sort of a magic effect like I did – no, it won’t help you. Nicotine gum doesn’t change your brain wiring or anything like that. This is why once you decide to quit smoking you need to come up with a strong motivation and an approach plan.
Nicotine gum is a highly advertised product. Results of studies manufacturers show are for rather short period of 4 – 6 months. By substituting one source of nicotine with another you just change what you are addicted to. Long term success depends on your attitude towards smoking and studies have shown that replacement therapy does not improve long term results. 2; 4 ; 5
What are possible side effects of nicotine gum?
Don’t forget that nicotine gum is just that – a gum with nicotine. Nicotine is a toxic chemical and due to that nicotine gum has a number of common side effects. These include abnormal dreams, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, joint pain, muscle pain, nervousness, sweating and weakness. 6
These are just the most common side effects and you might notice that these are also most common symptoms experienced during nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine gum gives same symptoms as quitting smoking but remember – with nicotine gum you are not truly quitting as you are still putting nicotine in your body.
It is especially important to note that if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant or breastfeeding use nicotine gum only after consulting with your doctor. Nicotine gum and smoking both cause danger to the child. The only truly safe option in this situation is to quit without replacement therapy. 3
How can I quit smoking easily?
Quitting smoking doesn’t have to be hard. Some people compare smoking to heroin addiction but you know that this is not true. Actually I remember using this excuse few times myself. Nicotine is addictive and smoking is very strong habit as you have smoked for years.
I also had all these habits. First thing I did when I woke up was having a smoke. Every event needed to be followed by smoking. Somehow, for example, landing and not going straight for a smoke seemed wrong.
You know what – that’s just how I was thinking at that time. The way you think about things in your life changes. Remember, if you are old enough, how we used to dress in the 90s and we thought it looked good. The best part that the way you think about things is not only influenced by the outside but you actively do it as well.
I did all the things I used to do without smoking and they are same or better without a cigarette. When your morning doesn’t start with a couching fit and stress cigarette causes - your whole day is brighter and positive. Sunset is as beautiful to look at without smoking.
Nicotine gum and other replacement therapy products prolong the process of quitting without any real positive effect. The popularity of these products is based on marketing which is based on studies legitimacy of which is questionable. 5
You need strong motivation and a quitting plan to successfully become smoke free. If you feel overwhelmed by withdrawal symptoms just consult your doctor as withdrawal symptoms can be controlled with medication.
These are just the most common side effects and you might notice that these are also most common symptoms experienced during nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine gum gives same symptoms as quitting smoking but remember – with nicotine gum you are not truly quitting as you are still putting nicotine in your body.
It is especially important to note that if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant or breastfeeding use nicotine gum only after consulting with your doctor. Nicotine gum and smoking both cause danger to the child. The only truly safe option in this situation is to quit without replacement therapy. 3
How can I quit smoking easily?
Quitting smoking doesn’t have to be hard. Some people compare smoking to heroin addiction but you know that this is not true. Actually I remember using this excuse few times myself. Nicotine is addictive and smoking is very strong habit as you have smoked for years.
I also had all these habits. First thing I did when I woke up was having a smoke. Every event needed to be followed by smoking. Somehow, for example, landing and not going straight for a smoke seemed wrong.
You know what – that’s just how I was thinking at that time. The way you think about things in your life changes. Remember, if you are old enough, how we used to dress in the 90s and we thought it looked good. The best part that the way you think about things is not only influenced by the outside but you actively do it as well.
I did all the things I used to do without smoking and they are same or better without a cigarette. When your morning doesn’t start with a couching fit and stress cigarette causes - your whole day is brighter and positive. Sunset is as beautiful to look at without smoking.
Nicotine gum and other replacement therapy products prolong the process of quitting without any real positive effect. The popularity of these products is based on marketing which is based on studies legitimacy of which is questionable. 5
You need strong motivation and a quitting plan to successfully become smoke free. If you feel overwhelmed by withdrawal symptoms just consult your doctor as withdrawal symptoms can be controlled with medication.
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* Disclaimer: The information presented in CigaretteKills.com website is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals.
REFERENCES
1. Nicotine Chemistry, Metabolism, Kinetics and Biomarkers, Neal L. Benowitz,corresponding author Janne Hukkanen, and Peyton Jacob, Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2009; (192): 29–60. http://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pmc/articles/ PMC2953858/
2. Nicotine Gum and Patch Don’t Help Smokers Quit Long Term, Alice Park, Jan. 09, 2012 http://healthland.time.com /2012/01/09/ nicotine-gum- and-patch-dont -help-smokers- quit-long-term/
3. Nicorette FAQs, September 2015 https://www.nicorette .com/faq.html
4. Does the Over-the-counter Nicotine Patch Really Double Your Chances of Quitting?, John R. Polito, April 8, 2002 http://whyquit. com/whyquit/A_ OTCPatch.html
5. The Real Story Behind the Nicotine Patch and Smoking Cessation, Amy Renshaw, Septembet 2015, http://healthpsych .psy.vanderbilt. edu/health- patch.htm
6. Nicotine gum, September 2015 http://www.drugs.com /cdi/nicotine-gum.html
Photo: "Gum Wall closeup, Seattle", Author dschwen Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported https://upload. wikimedia.org/wikipedia /commons/ thumb/7/7f/Gum_ Wall_detail_2.jpg /3744px-Gum_ Wall_detail_2.jpg
1. Nicotine Chemistry, Metabolism, Kinetics and Biomarkers, Neal L. Benowitz,corresponding author Janne Hukkanen, and Peyton Jacob, Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2009; (192): 29–60. http://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pmc/articles/ PMC2953858/
2. Nicotine Gum and Patch Don’t Help Smokers Quit Long Term, Alice Park, Jan. 09, 2012 http://healthland.time.com /2012/01/09/ nicotine-gum- and-patch-dont -help-smokers- quit-long-term/
3. Nicorette FAQs, September 2015 https://www.nicorette .com/faq.html
4. Does the Over-the-counter Nicotine Patch Really Double Your Chances of Quitting?, John R. Polito, April 8, 2002 http://whyquit. com/whyquit/A_ OTCPatch.html
5. The Real Story Behind the Nicotine Patch and Smoking Cessation, Amy Renshaw, Septembet 2015, http://healthpsych .psy.vanderbilt. edu/health- patch.htm
6. Nicotine gum, September 2015 http://www.drugs.com /cdi/nicotine-gum.html
Photo: "Gum Wall closeup, Seattle", Author dschwen Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported https://upload. wikimedia.org/wikipedia /commons/ thumb/7/7f/Gum_ Wall_detail_2.jpg /3744px-Gum_ Wall_detail_2.jpg
