The Decision to Quit Smoking - It's Hard. We Get It!
Smokers wishing to quit smoking essentially have 3 choices…
1. They may decide to go “cold turkey” and quit without any assistance from smoking cessation products. This is very difficult and does not have a high level of success.
2. They may decide to use one of several products which are nicotine based and operate on a weaning process. These products have proven to be twice as effective in stopping smoking over the “cold turkey” approach…but still have use the drug nicotine which may be less than desirable for some who would rather go a more natural and alternative route.
3. They may decide to use a non-nicotine based, drug free smoking cessation product. This is a relatively new emerging market with very few proven products on the market.
Unpleasant side effects of quitting smoking
If a smoker decides to quit, the nicotine is cut off and the body looks for reward system it has become used to. When it does not receive the nicotine it wants, the brain releases another chemical called norepinephrine which brings on withdrawal symptoms and may result in a craving for tobacco, a desire for sweets, increased coughing, and impaired performance on vigilance tasks.
Quitting smoking cold turkey without the support of something help the body transition may cause the following uncomfortable side effects due to withdrawal:
irritability
anxiety
restlessness
depression
Sleep difficulties
Trouble concentrating
Decreased or increased heart rate
Weight gain due to increased anxiety-related appetite
Not to mention the cost of personal long-term medical care that eventually comes with cigarette smoking.
How to quit smoking naturally
While there are are some clinically proven stop smoking products, they require a prescription and as mentioned above still use nicotine to slowly ween you from from the addiction. If you’re looking for a more natural way to quit smoking there are herbs such as St. John’s Wort, Ginseng and Valerian that can prove helpful. These herbs are said to help to calm the central nervous system, providing relief from the unpleasant side effects that often come when you decide to quite smoking. Taking these herbs consistently while you’re trying to quit smoking can be extremely helpful initially and ongoing as you need it when cravings occur. They’re relatively safe and offer a more natural way to help you kick the habit. The key is consistency — so committing to a daily routine is ideal. Of course, we’re not doctors so we’re not here to diagnose or prescribe. If you’d like to try these natural alternatives, we strongly recommend talking to you physician before hand to be on the safe side. Other natural alternatives to consider in addition to herbal supplementation is acupuncture, talk therapy, and engaging in hobbies or activities that can offer a distraction and some ‘feel-good’ vibes.
Quitting smoking is hard but the long-term benefits are worth it! Improved quality of life, health, well-being and better relationships with family and friends.