People feel they only smoke because they want to; instead, it is an unwitting revelation of their nicotine addiction. Hence, if you smoke daily, you are highly likely to be addicted to its nicotine. According to a survey, almost 40 million adults in the United States smoke daily, and 70% of them want to quit it but unfortunately cannot. The problem lies in the nicotine that can be addictive. Also, the Center For Disease Control And Prevention believes that nicotine addictions’ behavioral impacts are similar to cocaine addictions.
A full-day smoker will light up a cigarette every hour without fail. And at the moment when one thinks of quitting it, the nicotine withdrawal symptoms show up. These symptoms might get you back to smoking again. You might be able to examine the severity of your nicotine addiction by noting how early in the morning you look for a cigarette. If you smoke just after five minutes of getting up, your addiction is severe. It’s horrible for your health and causes harm to all the organs of the body.
Cigarette smoking can cause one in every five deaths in the United States. A person is likely to face diseases such as cancer, lung diseases, stroke, blood clots, and vision issues based on the severity of his addiction. Also, the smoke released from your cigarette is unhealthy for others. Hence if you are looking for an effective way to quit nicotine addiction, you can consult a doctor first. It might help you to avoid withdrawal symptoms. These days you also have options like CBD that might help you quit addictions naturally. But taking the first step towards it is all in your hands. Read on to learn more about nicotine addiction and how to cut it down.
What Is Nicotine? Can It Cause Addiction?
Nicotine is a stimulant chemical that enhances the speed of messages traveling between the brain and the body. It is a psychoactive ingredient present in tobacco-based products. It is an addictive drug, and chronic users are likely to crave it. One can either smoke or chew the products that contain nicotine. People get dependent on the actions that occur due to nicotine. Also, some might habitually need it after or before meals or in stressful conditions.
Tobacco is a dangerous compound and can be life-threatening. A survey has found that almost 8 million people across the globe die due to excessive tobacco usage. The majority of these people die due to respiratory issues and cancer that may arise from smoking these products. Nicotine is addictive, and hence limited use of it might also lead to addiction. People might prefer different ways to consume nicotine, such as inhaling the smoke generated from tobacco cigarettes.
Symptoms Of Nicotine Addiction
Nicotine addiction has grown to be a prevalent issue across the globe. It does not matter if you consume it daily or occasionally; nicotine-based products can lead to dependence. If you want to identify nicotine addiction, here is a list of symptoms that can help you out:
- You cannot quit smoking: A person with nicotine addiction might find it tough to leave smoking even after trying hard.
- Occurrence of withdrawal symptoms: A person who tries to stop and quit smoking is likely to face withdrawal symptoms. One might face after-effects like cravings, anxiety, irritability, uneasiness, problem concentrating, unhappy mood, frustration, irritation, intensified hunger, sleeplessness, constipation, or diarrhea.
- Ignore health problems: People having nicotine addiction might continue smoking even if they have developed health concerns.
- No socialization: A person addicted to nicotine might not go to cafes that prohibit smoking or with families where smoking isn’t possible.
How To Cut Down?
Here is a list of activities that can help you cut down on nicotine cravings-
- Sleep
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Nicotine is a common stimulant and might make you feel alert while sleepy or bored. Therefore, if you try to quit nicotine addiction, your body might struggle to function without it. Half of the people trying to quit smoking cannot do the same due to inadequate sleep. The withdrawal symptoms might disturb your sleep pattern, keeping you awake till late and increasing your craving for nicotine. Hence, sleeping for seven to eight hours a day might help you cut down on nicotine.
- Healthy Diet
When trying to quit smoking, it’s crucial to watch what you eat. According to research on smoking, only one cigarette could reduce almost 25mg of vitamin C. Hence adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet might reduce a person’s nicotine craving. Also, once you stop smoking, the food will even start to taste better. You might also try out ginseng, which will benefit people looking to quit nicotine addiction. Ginseng might help lower dopamine’s impact, enhancing pleasure due to smoking.
- CBD
CBD or cannabidiol is a compound that has gained attention in healthcare. And when it comes to addictions, CBD might help with it too. CBD comes from hemp extract, which doesn’t contain more than 0.3% of THC in the United States of America. The plant requires sun for about 12 hours, and then with decomposition CBD originates. The Hemp extract in CBD-Based products impacts the cells in the brain and may enhance overall health. CBD might relieve withdrawal symptoms happening when a person tries to quit smoking.
Tobacco smoking is the most difficult addiction to quit, and CBD might help you. Researchers found out that people have more addiction to nicotine than any other substance. In a study, twenty-four people with nicotine addiction consumed either a placebo or a CBD inhaler. People with placebo inhalers noted no difference. But participants that were having CBD inhalers had 40% lesser nicotine cravings. Full Spectrum CBD oil might also lessen the physical symptoms people face while quitting smoking. It might reduce depression, stress, insomnia, pressure, and withdrawal symptoms while decreasing nicotine consumption.
Conclusion
Cutting back on nicotine can be difficult initially, but it’s essential for your health. It gets manageable for you once you choose the correct approach and follow it with all your heart. You can also try gradually decreasing the number of cigarettes you smoke daily. Continue eliminating one cigarette per day to avoid facing withdrawal symptoms. If you still find it difficult, consult a doctor and get their opinion. Thinking that you are quitting for good can encourage you to stay away from nicotine, and CBD might help you achieve the same. One can always ration your doses accordingly to get the best benefits. It will also help your body adjust accordingly.
