The composition of tobacco is very complex. The analysis of cigarette smoke has revealed a very extensive list of chemical substances and elements (around 4,000) of which 70 are carcinogens (ammonia, arsenic, benzene, beryllium, butane, cadmium, chromium nickel, polonium, etc.).
The addictive power of tobacco is mainly due to the nicotine. This substance is absorbed very quickly with each inhalation and reaches the brain in about 10 seconds. There it acts on some nerve receptors associated with dopamine causing pleasant reactions, such as sedation or the general feeling of well-being. In some people, nicotine has a stimulating effect, increasing blood pressure and heart rate..
According to the latest research, a casual smoker may feel addiction symptoms within a few weeks to get started in tobacco. When the initial consumption is somewhat higher, for example a daily cigarette, tobacco dependence will come much earlier.
This physical and organic reaction is directly dependent on the amount of nicotine present in cigarettes. Each unit is estimated to contain about one gram of nicotine, but the amount has changed over time. Tobacco companies have gradually increased the percentage of this substance to increase addiction and promote tobacco consumption among the population..
Being an addictive substance, tobacco carries with it a series of consequences when it comes to quitting smoking. From a physical point of view, the well-known withdrawal syndrome can occur: tremors in the hands, excessive sweating, headache, constipation, gastrointestinal problems, etc. Sleep disorders and coughing are also common, as the bronchial tubes begin to clear of tar.
For most tobacco addicts, physical abstinence is an element of concern when deciding to quit smoking. But, although this aspect is important, the psychological plane should not be lost sight of, both before and after starting the detoxification process..
If we want to stop smoking, it is best to start by thoroughly studying the negative effects of tobacco on our health. Photographs, articles on lung cancer, reports on how tobacco companies manipulate consumers to create addiction ... all these elements can be very useful to create in us a new awareness of tobacco and its consequences. Nor would it be amiss to talk to someone who has suffered or is suffering in the first person a serious condition caused by tobacco. On the internet we can find some interesting articles to expand knowledge on the subject.
It is useless to analyze the consequences of tobacco in our body if we postpone later sine die the date of quitting. It is important to set a specific deadline and start preparing for it.
The person who wants to quit tobacco will have to face difficult moments. To cope with this period, it is best to have the help of doctors and the support of family and friends. Professionals will know how to advise on how to cope with abstinence, both physically and psychologically.
Nicotine has an additive power similar to that of other drugs, such as alcohol or cocaine. When you quit the habit, the brain will cry for help and the side effects will not take long to appear.
The first days are the hardest. The desire to light a cigarette constantly hits the smoker creating anxiety, nervousness and above all irritability. To cope with this period, specialists recommend distracting the mind with exercise and other physical and mental activities that help in the work. At the same time, it may be advisable to introduce nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches, gum or lozenges..
Apart from irritability, the person who is quitting smoking may experience depression, mood swings, insomnia, or even occasional dizziness during the first few days. They are uncomfortable sequels that can ruin the good intentions of the smoker, but they will soon disappear. Most people addicted to tobacco perceive a decrease in symptoms after two weeks. After 3 months, the consequences will have completely disappeared and the former smoker will begin to perceive the real benefits of quitting smoking.
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