Smoking is a highly addictive habit. This addiction is caused by the drug nicotine. It is so highly addictive because people who smoke continue to do it even though they understand the damage that smoking is doing to their health and body. Many people want to give up but find it very difficult to do so because the addiction is so strong. Even giving up for a few days can become unbearable as the cravings become too strong.
Nicotine is so addictive because it causes chemical changes and reactions in the human brain for people to crave it more. When people give up smoking the withdrawal symptoms can be intense and very unpleasant that can cause both physical and emotional discomfort. The true sign of addiction is have feelings of comfort and joy when the nicotine is present and the opposite feeling when it is being denied,
When nicotine enters the lungs it causes an immediate response in the body. It begins by raising the bodys blood pressure as well as the heart rate. Another short term response in the body is the constricting of the arteries which can cause trouble for the heart. When nicotine and carbon monoxide are combined it results in dropping the amount of oxygen in the blood. There are also other chemicals contained in smoking tobacco that adversely affect how the body deals with fat and regulates the blood sugar levels.
Even though the addiction to nicotine is very strong millions of smokers quit smoking successfully every year and stay off them permanently. There are many products that are now available on the market that can help smokers quit. These products are called nicotine replacement therapy products and many can be obtained without a prescription from a doctor. The most common types of these nicotine replacement therapies are the nicotine patches that you place on your arms throughout the day. Other therapies include sprays, nasal sprays and chewing gum. Many people find these very helpful when trying to stop smoking. If none of these therapies work there is the option to consult with your doctor who may be able to provide another prescriptive solution.
The benefits of giving up smoking are immense and they begin the moment you stop. Giving up smoking will make your lungs stronger again and increase your levels of energy and vitality. In the long term you will increase your life expectancy and lead a healthier life. Your risk of serious diseases such as cancer and heart disease will reduce.