5 Ways to Reduce the Effect of Smoking 

According to the American Lung Association, tobacco smoking and exposure to passive smoke cause more than 480,000 deaths yearly in the United States. Even though most individuals are aware of the multiple health dangers associated with cigarette smoking, “tobacco use remains the prominent cause of avoidable death and disease” in the United States. 
 

It is a journey to quit smoking and does not occur daily. Stopping will enhance your health, the quality and length of your life, and the lives of those around you. Not only change your behavior and live with the withdrawal symptoms that come with quitting smoking, but also discover new strategies to control your moods. If you follow the appropriate strategy, you may break free from nicotine addiction and stop the habit for good. Here are five strategies for quitting smoking. 

Cannabinoid And THC Can Be Effective 

The endocannabinoid system helps maintain homeostasis and controls various body activities. The ECS, according to researchers, controls the rewarding effects of addictive substances. 
 

The interaction between cannabinoids and THC with your ECS is well-known and creates various effects, and one of them is assisting in reducing drug addiction. In other words, cannabinoids and THC can disrupt or change how your body processes addictive chemicals, making them less appealing.  

Cannabinoids and THC have positive effects in helping you lower your tobacco cravings. In several studies, cannabinoids and THC’s effects in relieving cloying withdrawal symptoms are also well-known. Hence, one can top cbd gummies for quitting smoking can help people feel relaxed and lower the craving for tobacco.  

Nicotine Replacement Therapy 

Consult your physician about nicotine replacement therapy. You may try the following to reduce the effect of smoking: 

• Prescription nicotine in nasal sprays and inhalers  
• Nicotine patches, gum and lozenges  
• Prescription non-nicotine stop-smoking drugs 
   

Short-acting replacement therapies such as nicotine lozenges, gum, inhalers, and nasal sprays can help you overcome acute cravings. These fast-acting therapies are usually compatible with long-acting nicotine patches or non-nicotine quit-smoking drugs. 

Electronic cigarettes have lately gained popularity as a possible alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. On the other hand, E-cigarettes aren’t any safer or more effective than nicotine replacement treatment for helping people stop smoking. 

Manage Cigarette Cravings 

While avoiding smoking triggers will help minimize your desire to smoke, you are unlikely to be able to prevent cigarette cravings completely. Usually, cravings don’t last longer than 5 to 10 minutes. If you’re tempted to smoke, tell yourself that the urge will pass shortly and attempt to resist.  

Distract yourself as much as possible. The health of your heart is among the most compelling reasons to quit, but there are more, such as your family’s health or the money you’ll save. Remember those things the next time you want to light a cigarette. Pronounce them out loud or jot them down on a piece of paper or your phone. Keep remembering the reason behind quitting and concentrate on them. Reward yourself for your accomplishments. Give yourself a gift whenever you defeat a need to keep yourself motivated. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy   

CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) is counseling or talking therapy that seeks to assist individuals in stopping doing things they don’t want to do. In a 2008 research, 304 adult smokers got 20 weeks of CBT, and therapists devised techniques to assist them in quitting smoking. The findings suggested that this method might help people stay abstinent for a long time. 
 

In 2016, a group of researchers started a clinical trial to see how cognitive-behavioral therapies influence people over 18 who smoke at least eight cigarettes per day and desire to quit. According to the researchers, the cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation treatment with behavioral activation components may enhance abstinence, reduce the chance of relapse, and manage emotional changes that may persist even after people stop smoking. 
 

The team has good short- and medium-term performances in 2019. After quitting smoking, those receiving SCBSCT-BA had shown less depression and stayed smoke-free for 3, 6, and 12 months. 

Consider Non-Nicotine Medications  

Two non-nicotine-containing medications approved by the FDA help smokers in quitting, and Varenicline and Bupropion are two of them. Non-nicotine drugs like Bupropion and Varenicline can aid with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. If you want to try these non-nicotine medications to help reduce the effects of smoking, you’ll need a prescription, so talk to your doctor first. 
 

Bupropion decreases nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms by acting on substances in the brain that have a role in nicotine seeking. One can take Bupropion as a pill for 12 weeks, but if you successfully stop smoking during that period, you can extend your treatment for another 3 to 6 months to lower the chance of recurrence. 
 

Varenicline works by interfering with nicotine receptors in the brain, diminishing the pleasure you experience from smoking and minimizing nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Doctors prescribe Varenicline for 12 weeks, but if you have successfully quit smoking, you can continue taking it for another 12 weeks to lower the chance of recurrence. 
 

Behavioral changes, low mood, anger, hostility, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors are risks associated with using these medicines. 

Wrapping Up   

So, these are the five ways that can help you stop smoking. Remember that it’s just half the battle to decide that you’re ready to stop smoking, and knowing where to start on your smoke-free path can help you leap. After that, you need to follow the ways and be determined. And if you fail to stop, do not hesitate to visit an expert for proper guidance.