Health & Wellness Guide

Smoking Cessation Aids: Top 5 Products to Help You Quit Smoking

Smoking Kills! 

If you have read this a hundred times yet ended up smoking a cigarette, this article is for you. Nicotine is extremely addictive, which makes it painstakingly difficult to quit smoking, but not impossible. Quitting smoking greatly reduces the risk of respiratory diseases such as COPD, cancer, heart disease, vascular disease, and infertility. 

How To Quit Smoking

Smoking cessation support works by decreasing your dependency on cigarettes by various means, including:  

• Over-the-counter medication 
• Prescription drugs 
• Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) 
• Smoking suppressors 
• Counseling 

5 Best Smoking Cessation Products

Smoking cessation products help boost your chances of quitting. Your chances of succeeding are better when you use these products in combination with other NRTs and counselling. Some popular smoking cessation products are listed below.

1. Nicotine patches 

These provide a steady level of nicotine transdermally to the body to help lessen withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine patches are convenient, easy to use, and work in combination with NRTs. However, these patches may cause skin irritation at the application site.  

Nicotine patches are available for smokers 18 years and older and are available in three strengths: 7 milligrams (mg), 14 mg, and 21 mg. The correct dosage depends on how much you currently smoke. For example, for someone who smokes more than 10 cigarettes daily, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends starting with the 21-mg patch to help quit smoking. This dose is gradually lowered to 14 mg and then 7 mg over 8–12 weeks. 

2. Nicotine gum and lozenges 

Much like a patch, nicotine gum and lozenges release nicotine into the body to ease tobacco cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The typical initial dose is 4mg taken when there is an urge to smoke. As the urge decreases, the dose goes down to 2mg until the desire to smoke is gone. Mouth irritation is a possible side effect. 

3. Nicotine nasal spray

Nicotine nasal sprays are sprayed directly into the nose and release nicotine quickly into the body when there is an urge to smoke. They are available over the counter and also by prescription   

4. Nicotine Inhalers 

The design makes these more popular smoking cessation products than other NRTs because they replicate the hand-to-mouth motion of smoking cigarettes. A nicotine inhaler is a plastic cylinder and mouthpiece that contains a cartridge filled with nicotine. The downside is that they take some time to get used to.  

5. Prescription Medication 

Varenicline and Bupropion are available by prescription only. Prescription medications for smoking cessation reduce tobacco cravings and control withdrawal symptoms by blocking nicotine receptors in the brain, decreasing the “feel-good” effects of smoking. These medications take some time to build up in the bloodstream to produce optimum effects, so doctors suggest beginning these medications at least a week or two before you plan to quit smoking. 

Although effective, these pills to quit smoking have many possible side effects, including dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, sleep issues, depression, behavioral changes, and suicidal thoughts. 

What Happens When You Quit Smoking

Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms 

The body and brain become addicted to nicotine which can cause uncomfortable nicotine withdrawal symptoms. However, in time, these symptoms fade.  

Quitting smoking can have a different impact on everyone. However, withdrawal symptoms are quite similar. Some of these symptoms include:  

• Cravings to smoke 
• Irritation, grumpiness, or unsettling feelings 
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Trouble sleeping 
• Gaining weight or increased appetite 
• Feeling stressed and anxious 
• Headaches and dizziness 

How long does it take for nicotine cravings to go away? 

Nicotine usually leaves the bloodstream within a day of quitting smoking. But nicotine withdrawal symptoms may last two to four weeks or longer as your body adjusts to being nicotine-free.   

What can I do about nicotine cravings after I quit? 

The urge to smoke will come and go, every few hours. You may have them frequently for a few days or weeks. As time passes, the cravings will eventually stop. However, you may have occasional mild cravings months or years after you quit. Here are some things you can do to manage nicotine cravings - 

• Try cigarette alternatives or consult your doctor about prescription pills to help quit smoking. 
• Keep reminding yourself that the cravings will pass. 
• Avoid situations and activities where you may end up using tobacco products.  
• Keeping your mouth busy to stop the psychological urge to smoke. Try chewing on carrots, pickles, sugarless gum, or hard candy.  
• Take a deep breath through your nose and blow out slowly through your mouth. Repeat up to 10 times. 

Quitting smoking is a huge step and it may be accompanied by discomfort and anxiousness. But these feelings will pass, and your life will become easier and healthier. 

Where can I buy smoking cessation products online?

HPFY has been your partner in health and wellness since 2002. We offer a wide range of smoking cessation products that can help you manage nicotine cravings and succeed in living a healthier lifestyle. Explore our catalog today to find your best pick. 

 

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