Smoking cigarettes is one of the most preventable causes of death in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking kills more than 480,000 Americans each year – that’s more than 1,200 people every day. Smoking also causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, and a variety of other health problems. However, there are some products for quitting smoking that are available both over the counter (OTC) and with a prescription. So, can these products really help you quit smoking? This article will investigate these products and their effectiveness.
Prescription Drugs
There are two prescription drugs that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for smoking cessation: bupropion (Zyban) and varenicline (Chantix). These drugs work by stimulating the brain to release dopamine, which can help reduce cravings for cigarettes. So, if you were wondering how to quit smoking, prescription drugs may be a good option for you. There are also prescription patches available that release nicotine slowly over time to help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. However, both these drugs and patches are most typically used as part of a complete quit-smoking program overseen by your doctor. If you’re interested, consult your doctor about your alternatives for stopping smoking.
Nicotine Patches
Nicotine patches are a type of transdermal patch that is placed on the skin. It releases a small dose of nicotine into the bloodstream, which helps reduce cravings for cigarettes. Nicotine patches are available over the counter and come in various doses, depending on how much nicotine you want to receive. They also come in different sizes and can be worn for different lengths of time, depending on the product. You gradually taper off nicotine with a series of lower-dose patches until you’re completely free of it. The procedure is supposed to take between eight and twelve weeks.
Nicotine Gum
It can be just as difficult to overcome the oral smoking habit as it is to break the nicotine addiction. That’s why nicotine gum is available to help with both. Nicotine gum, another over-the-counter product, comes in different doses, depending on how much nicotine you want to receive. It also comes in different flavors, such as fruit and mint. It’s important to note that nicotine gum is not a medication, but it can still be helpful in quitting smoking. Nicotine gum should be chewed slowly until the taste of nicotine becomes strong, and then you should park it between your gums and cheek so the nicotine can be absorbed. Don’t chew more than 20 pieces of gum per day.
Lozenges
Similar to nicotine gum, lozenges are available over the counter and come in different doses, depending on how much nicotine you want to receive. They’re also flavored so that they’re more pleasant to suck on than gum, and they last a little longer. Nicotine lozenges are available both with and without sugar. If you’re trying to cut down on your sugar intake, make sure to get the sugar-free variety. Like nicotine gum, lozenges should be sucked slowly until the taste of nicotine becomes strong.
Vaping Products
For those of you who can’t say no to nicotine or simply enjoy inhaling it, here’s a compromise. Consider switching to vaping if this is your experience. Vaporization merely heats your substance to the point where the device – a vape pen or vaporizer – can pull out the active components and deliver them directly to your bloodstream. If you want to improve your inhaling habits, you have two choices: e-cigarettes and CBD oil. E-cigarettes are cylindrical, battery-operated devices that heat a nicotine-containing liquid to produce a vapor. CBD oil is an extract from the cannabis sativa plant and does not contain nicotine, but it does provide relief from anxiety, pain, and other conditions. CBD is a healthier option since it doesn’t contain any tar or other harmful carcinogens that are usually produced when smoking cigarettes.
Other Ways
If you want to try a different approach, here are some “other ways” to help you quit smoking. The most straightforward solutions are frequently the most successful. While it may seem difficult to believe, the great majority of people who successfully quit smoking did so by quitting cold turkey — nothing more. Besides this option, you can also try using nicotine replacement therapy in conjunction with quitting cold turkey, or you can try one of the many stop smoking aids that are available over the counter.
No matter which path you choose to quit smoking, it’s important to consult your doctor first. He or she can help you choose the best method for you and ensure that you’re doing everything possible to quit for good. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to quitting smoking; the most important thing is that you find a method that works for you and stick with it.
