When I quit smoking, I will no longer be feeding those nicotine receptors and cravings will arise. What will I do to make my brain a happier place...
I must anticipate that my brain will look to get its dopamine from where ever it can. My receptors will want to get a pleasure rush like they did from the nicotine. If I'm depriving my brain of its dopamine, it might make it easy for my addiction to hop on to something else like sugar. Therefore as part of my prep work I have been decreasing my sugar intake and now only put sugar in my first mug of black tea each day. I have read that sugar alters brain chemistry by disrupting and depleting dopamine levels. I have also eliminated all artificial sweeteners. The remainder of the day I drink herbal no caffeine teas or plain seltzer water. I am also working on limiting processed foods particularly those high in sugar. I do allow myself one square per day of a Lindt Excellence Extra Dark Chocolate 85% Bar because it contains tyrosine, which is linked to an increase of dopamine.
I have also read that natural health experts estimate over half of the U.S. population may be deficient in magnesium which can also cause decreased levels of dopamine. Some common symptoms include food food cravings (salt or carbs), muscle pains and spasms, fatigue, headaches and mood swings. So I plan on taking 400 mg of magnesium glycinate everyday as a preventive measure.
In researching ways to increase my dopamine levels naturally, I found that meditation, exercise and listening to music will be healthier alternatives than the nicotine. I just started doing a body scan meditation I found on youtube. I need to make this a daily habit.
