Does Nicotine Replacement Therapy Work?

94 percent of the time – NO.

Not to upset you in any way, but this blog is dedicated to providing FACTS and educating smokers on what really works. Disheartening as it may be, Nicotine Replacement Therapy has been used by many as a short-remedy while ineffective in the long-term quest for calling it quits. Here’s why:

There are two factors responsible for why people cannot stop smoking no matter what:

1. The addictive pharmacokinetic nature of nicotine on the brain
2. The established psychological dependence of the delivery system, or the act of smoking

Nicotine Replacement Therapy may be effective in supplying the body with nicotine; however it has no match when it comes to combating the other most largest frontier of a cigarette addiction: the delivery method.

The brain acts on what it has learned, whether it may be through naturally default elements (fear of heat, height, or drowning) or learned behaviors such as smoking. The brain has learned that when you have a cigarette, you will become more relaxed, focused, and satisfy your urges for nicotine. Therefore, it has established a metal platform that the act of “smoking” is default nicotine delivery method. Furthermore, the amount of nicotine absorbed through patches, gum, and inhalers is less than two thirds of the labeled nicotine content and will not effectively relinquish your cravings. Let the statistics speak for themselves:

• Inhalers have a 14% success rate after one year
• Combining inhalers and patches only increase the rate by 5.5%
• Chewing nicotine gum has a quit rate of 6%

It is patently obvious that NRT is not effective, at least for many. Your body does not just need nicotine in and of itself, rather the administration of the drug through smoking.

A veteran of NRT for 15 years, I learned the hard way about its ineffectiveness. But through other means, I finally quit smoking tobacco after 20 years.

Friends Quit Smoking? You May be Next

If a close friend or spouse recently quit smoking, you could be next.

The reason? Just as obesity can spread from person to person, researchers have uncovered a similar pattern with smoking. Peer influence has a substantial effect on many of the decisions we make along with an impact on various psychological elements. The findings of the Framingham Heart Study,which was conducted by a medical sociologist from the Harvard Medical School, suggests that the greatest influence in social smoking behaviors was seen in close relationships.

According to the study, when a spouse stops or close family member smoking, the other individual is 67 percent less likely to smoke. Having your first cigarette may have been due to social influences, but apparently smoking cessation may be part of the same agenda.

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It’s Time To Quit Smoking

What happens to your body after quitting?

20 Minutes:

• Blood pressure normalizes
• Pulse rate normalizes
• Body temperature normalizes

8 Hours:

• Carbon Monoxide levels normalize
• Blood oxygen level increases to normal

24 Hours:

• Chance of heart attack greatly reduced

48 Hours:

• Nerve endings begin to regrow
• Sense of smell and taste enhanced

3 Months:

• Blood circulation improves
• Physical activity becomes less strenuous
• Lung function increases by 30 percent

6 Months:

• Coughing, sinus congestion, and fatigue decrease
• Lungs improve their ability to handle mucus and reduce infection due to the regrowth of Cilia
• Energy and stamina increase

1 Year:

• Risk of Coronary Heart Disease is reduced by 50 percent

5 Years:

• Lung Cancer death rate reduced by 50 percent
• Risk of stroke reduced to that of a non-smoker
• Risk of mouth, throat, and esophagus cancer reduced by 50 percent

10 Years:

• Lung Cancer death rate reduced to that of a non-smoker
• Precancerous cells are replenished with healthy tissue

15 Years:

• Risk of Coronary Heart Disease reduced to that of a non-smoker

Effects of Continuing to Smoke:

• Heart Disease
• Cancer in every form
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Gangrene/Amputation of Limbs
• Shortened Lifespan
• Poor quality of life

Clearly the benefits of smoking cessation greatly outweigh those of smoking. So then why do people continue to smoke? And why is it a lifelong struggle to quit smoking?

The answer lies in the pharmakinetic effects of nicotine on the body. Nicotine is highly addictive in nature and even though smoking tobacco may be a nauseating practice for many, the body will do absolutely anything to get this drug into its system.

Nicotine, in and of itself, does not cause disease. However, it is the active drug in tobacco which contains thousands of chemicals and carcinogens that gradually undermine one’s health. Once tolerance to the drug has been established, the body will require a steady intake to function normally.

So here is the big question: How do I quit?

In three words: Education, Willpower, and Dedication

By learning more about the addiction, its health detriment, and the science behind it you will establish a very powerful subconscious metal platform that may ultimately give you the edge on kicking the habit. Willpower will come from your understanding in the matter, and dedication from constantly reminding yourself of tobacco’s harmful effects and destructive properties. I urge you to find out as much as you can about smoking and educate yourself on the options and resources available to you. Knowledge is power.

Below are some extremely valuable resources on tobacco harm, nicotine, and smoking cessation:

How I Quit Smoking After 20 Years

Stop Smoking Aids Can Help Smokers Overcome Addiction

Super Effective Tips to Quit Smoking Now!