Nicotine Replacement Therapy – As Good As Non-nicotine Based Treatments?
Smoking is highly addictive in nature, primarily because of the presence of high amounts of nicotine present in tobacco. Many people try to quit smoking because of the well known health risks associated with smoking. Initially, most people try going the cold turkey way – quitting smoking through sheer willpower alone. But few manage to succeed because of nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, headaches and uncontrollable craving for cigarettes. Habitual smokers tend to develop a chemical dependency on nicotine, and the body gets used to having a certain amount of nicotine at all times.
How does nicotine replacement therapy help in smoking cessation?
Smoking cessation products based on nicotine replacement therapy help you to cope with withdrawal symptoms and even ease them to a certain extent. Available in the form of gums, patches, inhalers and lozenges, nicotine replacement therapy uses a gradual approach to smoking cessation. These products release small, controlled amounts of nicotine into your body to ease withdrawal symptoms. The amount of nicotine released in your body is gradually reduced until you no longer feel the urge to smoke. Nicotine replacement products enable you to overcome the behavioural and psychological barriers to smoking cessation without being saddled with the problem of withdrawal symptoms. This can increase your chances of successful smoking cessation.
How do products based on non-nicotine replacement therapy help in smoking cessation?
Champix is one of the most effective prescription medications currently on the market. Varenicline – the active ingredient present in Champix – belongs to a class of drugs known as acetylcholine receptors. Varenicline works according to a unique dual mode of action. It binds itself to the nicotine receptors in your brain in order to prevent the cigarette nicotine from reaching them. It then releases small, controlled amounts of dopamine – the chemical that is responsible for the pleasurable sensations associated with nicotine addiction. This helps to ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms and gradually get rid of your desire to smoke.
What makes this non-nicotine based product better is that unlike products based on nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), varenicline does not pump extra amounts of nicotine in your body. This increases the efficacy and safety of this product and gives it an edge over nicotine replacement therapy.