Media with its diligent efforts has made people realize the dangerous effects of smoking. Every year about 46% of smokers in the US try to quit out of which 10% succeed. A large number of options are now made available to the public. Nicotine replacement (e.g. Habitrol, Nicolette), counseling, Zyban and Chantix are the most popular ones.
But why do people need Stop smoking drugs to quit smoking? Nicotine in cigarettes is known to be highly addictive. It causes receptors in the brain to release dopamine, a pleasure substance and some other chemicals. This makes the user feel good and relaxed. It also reduces anxiety, tension and appetite. Once the dopamine level falls, the user starts showing miserable health conditions like headache, anxiety, nausea and a craving for more tobacco which are called the withdrawal symptoms.
Nicotine Replacement products help stop smoking by maintaining small levels of nicotine in the blood. It releases small levels of dopamine and chemicals in the brain. It thus reduces craving and helps the user to deal with the withdrawal symptoms. Some drugs also block the nicotine receptors in the brain which makes smoking a less pleasurable act. In cases of relapse, the drugs decrease the likeliness of the user to enjoy smoking as before. Some of the anti-depressant medicines are also used as Stop Smoking Drugs as they lessen the desire of the user to smoke. The drugs might need to be taken much before and after quitting.
These drugs may cause side-effects like dry mouth and difficulty sleeping. Also there are risks of seizure associated with these drugs in some patients. FDA has warned that bizarre behavior including suicide is also observed in patients using anti-smoking drugs.
In spite of so many options available, all medications need to be taken under strict medical supervision only.
