Home Quit Smoking

Nicotine Gum

Nicotine addiction is a very serious addiction. Studies have shown that nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known. Most people become addicted after a fairly short period of smoking regularly. When you smoke a cigarette your body receives an instant hit of nicotine which then slowly dissipates through the body. Then when the nicotine level in your body drops below a certain point you will find yourself craving another cigarette. This physical addiction is the reason why it is so difficult to stop smoking.

The most important thing when trying to quit smoking is willpower. Quitting smoking without willpower is extremely unlikely. However, it is also very difficult to stop with willpower alone which is why many people prefer to use a stop smoking aid. One of the most common and popular aids is nicotine gum. Nicotine gum is similar to chewing gum except that it contains nicotine. It helps you to quit smoking by supplying and regulating the level of nicotine in the bloodstream. Nicotine gum can be effective because it can replicate the nicotine hits you get from smoking without the need to smoke a cigarette. You can then, over time, decrease the amount of nicotine you receive and eventually wean yourself off nicotine and cigarettes.

Nicotine gum is a preferred smoking aid as it can work more effectively than nicotine patches. The difference is that chewing nicotine gum gives you an instant hit of nicotine, much like a cigarette does, whereas a nicotine patch supplies you with a constant stream of nicotine, there is no hit. This means that some smokers still find themselves craving cigarettes while using a nicotine patch. Nicotine gum more closely replicates the nicotine hit you receive from smoking cigarettes due to the method of chewing the gum. The gum is not chewed like normal chewing gum, instead you leave the gum in your mouth and only chew when you feel the need for some nicotine. This gives you the hit required and then you can stop chewing again. You should never chew nicotine gum like normal chewing gum or else too much nicotine could be released into your bloodstream making you ill.

Nicotine gum is available in different strengths and it is recommended that you use the gum every couple of hours for up to three months. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for more detailed information on how best to use nicotine gum as a stop smoking aid.