NRTs were studied and approved by the FDA as temporary aids to help people quit smoking. “Though we know it occurs, the products were not approved for long term use. Data are inadequate comparing the safety of long term use of NRT versus not smoking.”
If you wish to use NRTs, please do so with a Doctor’s supervision – even OTC products! And please follow the instructions and guidelines provided with the product! Nicotine is a poisonous volatile alkaloid, derived from tobacco and responsible for many of the effects of tobacco. It first stimulates (small doses) and depresses (large doses) at autonomic ganglia and myoneural junctions. It is also used as an insecticide and fumigant.
(source: Black's Medical Dictionary, thirty-fourth edition)
Recent research has shown in fine detail how nicotine acts on the brain to produce a number of behavioral effects. Of primary importance to its addictive nature are findings that nicotine activates the brain circuitry that regulates feelings of pleasure, the so-called reward pathways. A key brain chemical involved in mediating the desire to consume drugs is the neurotransmitter dopamine, and research has shown that nicotine increases the levels of dopamine in the reward circuits. Nicotine's pharmacokinetic properties have been found also to enhance its abuse potential.
· Nicotine gum – Nicotine gum is an over-the-counter product that you can buy at your local pharmacy. A piece of nicotine gum is chewed briefly, allowed to rest in the mouth, then chewed again. This process enables nicotine to be absorbed into the body through the mouth lining. Nicotine gum is used for two to three months, up to a maximum of six months.
· Nicotine lozenges – Nicotine lozenges come in the form of hard candy and release nicotine into the system as they dissolve in the mouth. Each lozenge lasts for about a half hour and can be used as needed for up to twelve weeks.
· Nicotine patch – The nicotine patch is a medication applied to your skin each day. It delivers nicotine through the skin into your body. Some brands of the nicotine patch are available over-the-counter, while others require a prescription from your doctor. The nicotine patch is available in 16-hour and 24-hour doses, and is used for two to three months.
· Nicotine nasal spray – Nicotine nasal spray is a prescription medication that you spray into your nostrils every couple of hours. Nicotine nasal spray is used for three months, up to a maximum of six months, and gradually tapered off.
· Nicotine inhaler – The nicotine inhaler is a prescription medication that you hold to your mouth and inhale to combat cravings. The inhaler is used for three months, up to a maximum of six months. It is recommended that people use at least 6 cartridges per day in the first three to six weeks, then taper off as cravings become less severe or less frequent.
If you have already passed the 3 day mark of when Nicotine is removed from your System, please do not reintroduce Nicotine back into your System via NRTs! Remember the Law of Addiction:
"Administration of a drug to an addict will cause re-establishment of chemical dependence upon the addictive substance."
You will have many challenges to your quit decision by your Addictive Mind. That is the process of withdrawal, both physical and psychological. The latter is the much more difficult to overcome! You can halt the psychological addiction only with the Power of your own Mind! NRTs can do nothing to help you with that process! They are designed to alleviate the physical withdrawal in order to give you more time to tackle the psychological withdrawal not to do it for you! Only YOU can reclaim your Brain!
