There are literally dozens of stop smoking products on the market but the most popular and commonly used is Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). These therapies work by gradually reducing the amount of nicotine your body takes in and gives your brain time to start producing the necessary chemicals. To fully understand how these products work you need to first understand how your addiction works. Your brain produces certain enzymes, like serotonin, that are responsible for your feelings of contentment. Unfortunately nicotine gives you those same feelings. When you start smoking your brain senses that you are getting what you need and starts reducing the natural production of these enzymes. The more you smoke the less the brain produces. When you try to quit and you are not getting the necessary chemicals you will experience depression and anxiety.

Nicotine replacement therapy works to slowly reduce the amount of nicotine you are taking in. This will signal the brain that you have a shortage and the brain will, slowly, start producing these chemicals again naturally. The problem is that it takes time. This time period is different for most people and can range from about 2 days to nearly 2 weeks. Keep in mind however that while an NRT will reduce the withdrawal symptoms they will not eliminate them. Most physicians recommend combining them with other therapies like counseling or stop smoking prescription medications. NRTs have about a 20% success rate when used alone but when used in combination with other therapies you can get that percentage as high as 90%. The rest is up to you and how badly you want to quit.

NRTs have different delivery systems. The most well known are nicotine gum and nicotine patches. There are also inhalers, nasal sprays and e cigarettes. All of these therapies work essentially the same and which one you will use is up to your lifestyle.

By: Ryan Somerton

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