Smoking: Pain or Pleasure

By Phil Conran

How often have you told yourself that you enjoy smoking?

The smoker finds himself justifying his habit more than ever. Smoking is no longer as socially acceptable as it once was with many countries passing anti-smoking laws. During the 1950's it was rare to see anybody in the media without a cigarette, cigar or pipe. It was a common sight to see people "rolling their own" tobacco but is now an increasingly rare sight. Clean-air laws that prohibit cigarette smoking are becoming widespread.

The "buzz" word at the moment is "Passive Smoking". Passive and active smoking are both bad for your health increasing the chances of developing cancer and other diseases. However people continue to smoke despite all the evidence.

Nicotine

Nicotine is only one of a multitude of harmful chemicals that are found in tobacco but it is nicotine that is the addictive component. Nicotine addiction is powerful, it is a drug, a very addictive drug and as such nicotine withdrawal is intense. Just ask anybody who has managed to quit smoking and they will tell you how difficult they found it to be.

Technically speaking the nicotine in tobacco "increases the amount of the neurotransmitter, dopamine, and the nature of nicotine is that it creates a cycle of positive reinforcement within your brain that makes you want more". Scientists have found that withdrawal from chronic nicotine addiction results in changes in our neural pleasure pathways. The result can be alarming and a feeling of loss can be felt that is difficult to explain.

Quitting

Today there is an incredible amount of help available to those who wish to stop smoking. NRT or nicotine replacement therapy is a popular method of aiding smoking cessation and there are a multitude of NRT products available to help you stop. [Such as: Nicotine gum, Nicotine inhalers, Nicotine nasal sprays, Nicotine patches and Nicotine lozenges].

However these treatments alone are simply not sufficient to quit smoking without the determination of the person quitting. You must be sure that you want to stop smoking, understand why you want to stop and you must also be ready to make a plan that will work for you as not all methods are suitable for all people.

Tried to stop Smoking and failed?

Many smokers find that it takes many attempts to stop before they manage to stop smoking for good. This is especially true if you are a heavy smoker. Don't panic there is help!

Acupuncture is an increasingly popular method (for quitting smoking) for those heavily addicted to the nicotine. Today the availability of drugs to help the smoker quit increases the chances of success. Zyban was initially created as an anti-depressant but was found to help people stop smoking, now it is used extensively with great success in the most difficult of cases. Unfortunately there are side-effects so medical advice must always be sought before you decide on the best method for you to stop.

Whatever you decide we hope that you find success soon.

Author Details:
Phil Conran writes for various web sites including information portals such as Simply Top's Free Article Directory, information junkie and the A-Z of.com

Source: The A-Z of Smoking

NOTE: This article may be reproduced ONLY if this note, the author details, source and ALL links remain in place and active.

Articles About Smoking

Smoking
Stopping The Fag - Health Concerns And More!
Preferring Wellbutrin - Controversial Method To Stop Smoking
Ways To Stop Smoking - Why Some Of Them Work And Why Some Do Not
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
Cigarettes
Nicotine Gum
Be a Non-Smoker
Quit Smoking
Quitting Smoking 1
Quitting Smoking 2
Hypnosis To Quit Smoking
Hypnosis To Quit Smoking
NRT
Nicotine Patches
Nicotine Anonymous 1
Nicotine Anonymous 2
Smoking Dependency
Symptoms of Quitting
Symptoms of Quitting
Smoking Recovery 1
Smoking Recovery 2
Smoking Recovery 3
Passive Smoking
Cigarette Filters
Benefits Of Quitting
Emphysema
Non-Nicotine Pill
Stop Smoking
Weight-Gain
Smoking Habit
Body Of A Smoker 1
Body Of A Smoker 2
Cigars
Quitting Smoking
Smoking
Children & Smoking
Vitamins & Smoking
Depression Smoking
Your Last Cigarette
Temptations
Smoking Relapse
Smoke-Free
Quit Smoking