Nicotine Facts

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Nicotine facts aren't easy to swallow, how can the industry be allowed to get away with the following:

Any smoker suffers from nicotine addiction whether a casual or life long smoker.

Nicotine itself is a highly effective insecticide and neurotoxin. It is the addictive element in cigarettes but is only one of tens of thousand of harmful chemicals.

Each puff of a cigarette distributes, via the bloodstream, a dose of nicotine to the brain. This in turn stimulates the production of adrenaline leading to increase in pulse, blood pressure, shallow breathing and blood sugar levels.

With the introduction of nicotine and other poisonous substances into your bloodstream, via the lungs, the body�s natural defence mechanisms are instigated. This includes the release of endorphins, those chemicals which give rise to the feelings of pleasure. It is this effect (a defence) that produces the perceived calming and �high� effect of cigarettes.

The nicotine facts get more and more incredible!

As your body takes on more and more nicotine through prolonged cigarette abuse the human body becomes tolerant to its effects. It therefore requires greater and more regular �fixes�, explaining the well worn path from casual smoker to heavy smoker.

The amount of nicotine within your body diminishes by half every 2 hours, without further introductions. The physical effect of nicotine withdrawal are mild as evidenced by the number of times a smoker needs to get up in the night to have a cigarette or the ability of casual smokers to go for days without a cigarette.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is often advised to delay quitters� nicotine withdrawal symptoms, whilst they face up to the challenges of the psychological triggers associated with cigarettes. But why feed the nicotine addiction nicotine?

Due to the mild nature of the withdrawal I always recommended that the nicotine withdrawal is faced at the same time as the psychological triggers to obtain the huge benefits of stopping smoking as early as possible. The most important nicotine facts to bear in mind are that nicotine is overcome simply and painlessly if you are determined.

Exercise

First, consider your relationship with cigarettes. Do you truly believe you are a nicotine addict?

Second, think of those times when you have easily gone for hours without a cigarette (sleep, exam, flight, meeting etc.). Do you believe nicotine withdrawal is such a tremendous hurdle?

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