<
p>There are several stop smoking aids available if you want to stop smoking.
If the reasons why you smoke are more that it is a habit rather than a severe physical addiction, and if you have a strong willpower, then you might look at more natural stop smoking aids.
If you smoke and find you have a heavy physical addiction to nicotine (in other words, you find that you really have heavy withdrawal symptoms such as nervousness, insomnia, irritability and so on) and your will power is low, you might look at using pharmaceutical aids.
The principle behind nicotine replacement therapy is to slowly reduce the dependence on the nicotine found in cigarettes by replacing it with slowly decreasing dosages of nicotine in a different format. This reduces emotional distress and withdrawal symptons and therefore cuts down on the physical discomfort of stopping smoking. Nicotine replacement therapy comes in the form of gums, patches, tablets, nasal sprays and inhalers that contain lower amount of nicotine than cigarettes.
Lets look at the stop smoking aids in a bit more detail. And how do you know which are right for you? It all depends on your disposition and the reasons why you smoke.
Zyban works on the nicotine sensors present in the brain. Another drug that also helps by working on the nicotine sensors is Verenicline. These drugs nullify the pleasurable effects obtained through a smoke. These drugs should not be taken by people who are suffering from hypertension or epilepsy. They are only available on prescription in any case so you should definitely consult your doctor first to see if these drugs are right for you to use.
Both these Oriental methods stimulate the release of endorphins. Endorphins are natural painkillers that create a sense of well being and lower the dependence on cigarettes. The advantage of these aids is that they don't cause any side-effects.
These vary from natural stop smoking aids, such as hypnosis, acupuncture, herbal cigarettes, self-help groups, books, and clinics - to pharmaceutical aids such as nicotine replacement and other drugs. Laser therapy is the latest method. It is not very well known yet but is gaining popularity.
Zyban was originally prescribed as an anti-depressant and one of the possitive side effects was that it seemed to reduce the need to smoke.
Lastly, laser therapy is the latest stop smoking aid that is gaining popularity. A low intensity laser bean is used to stimulate the release of endorphins (almost like acupuncture for the 21st century!) and create a sense of well-being. Theoretically this reduces the need to smoke - but pull out the willpower as well. Laser therapy and acupuncture is not going to do it on its own!
The most popular pharmaceutical aids are nicotine replacement therapy, which come in various forms; and the drug Zyban.
Examples are to smoke cigarettes that contain herbal ingredients. This may reduce dependence on smoking but can also cause side effects because they contain high levels of tar and carbon monoxide. Also, you are not really reducing the smoking habit as such and you might therefore find it easy to relapse into smoking real cigarettes. Rather utilise that strong willpower of yours and look into other ways to stop smoking, such as acupuncture and acupressure.
Self-help clinics are almost like the AA for alcoholics. These encourage smokers to use their will power to give up smoking and teach smokers several mind exercises to reduce the craving for cigarettes.
Previous article: 13 February 2007
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