There are many compelling reasons for quitting smoking. Among those reasons, smokers have an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and various other cancers. Homeopathy offers a natural way to cope with nicotine withdrawal symptoms for those on the path to their smoking habit.
Smoking is the most preventable cause of death. In the U.S., there are an estimated 443,000 deaths that occur every year from cigarette smoking. Second-hand smoke also contributes to 40,000 heart disease deaths and 3,000 lung cancer cases. Smoking also cuts about 25 years off a person’s life expectancy.
Nicotine is the drug in tobacco, which makes people addicted to smoking. The nicotine causes mood-altering changes in the brain that are temporarily pleasing, and as a result, people want to smoke it often. In addition to nicotine, tobacco is also contaminated with about 70 cancer-causing chemicals, including the highly-addictive and carcinogenic radioisotope polonium-210.
The Causes and Risk Factors of Nicotine Addiction
Nicotine triggers the release of a neurotransmitter called dopamine, and that rush is thought to be a major part of the addiction. There are also physical and psychological factors that influence the process of addiction. For instance, certain moments of the day may increase the desire to smoke, like during work breaks or with coffee. Moments of stress are typically connected with an urge to smoke. Some smokers also enjoy a cigarette after eating, drinking alcohol, and driving on their own.
Most adult smokers start when they are teenagers, and often have parents and family that also smoke. Some people can smoke once in a while without getting addicted, while others are unable to stop without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. It is likely that our genes influence brain nerve cell receptors response to nicotine. Individuals that appear to become addicted to nicotine more easily than others include those with depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental disorders. Alcoholics and illegal drug abusers are also likely to become regular smokers.
Signs and Symptoms of Nicotine Withdrawal
In an effort to prevent smoking-related diseases, millions of smokers attempt to quit every year. However, experts believe that smoking is one of the hardest habits to break. After all, smoking will boost your mood and temporarily reduce depression, appetite, and irritability. Smoking also enhances short-term memory and concentration, and produces a certain sense of well-being.
When a person addicted to nicotine tries to stops smoking, they will experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that make quitting more difficult. Withdrawal is a set of physical symptoms that occur when you stop using addictive substances. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms will begin within 30 minutes of using tobacco. How long you have used tobacco, and how much tobacco you use daily will impact symptom severity.
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms will likely peak within a two to three-day period. These symptoms will often disappear after two weeks, but some may experience nicotine withdrawal for several months. The following are symptoms associated with nicotine withdrawal:
- Intense nicotine cravings
- Tingling in feet and hands
- Sweating
- Nausea and intestinal cramping
- Headaches
- Sore throat and coughing
- Insomnia
- Anxiety, irritability, and difficulty concentrating
- Depression
- Weight gain
How to Quit Smoking Naturally with Homeopathy
Learning how to quit smoking naturally can be tough, but taking the step to quit will likely be one of the better decisions a person will make. Quitting smoking will improve circulation and lung function, lower heart attack and stroke risk, and slow the heart rate down. It will also normalize carbon monoxide levels in the blood.
There are several therapies and medications available to help a smoker quit, and while some help, others do not. Some people will try nicotine replacement therapy methods like using skin patches or chewing nicotine gum. People also benefit from the help of others who are also trying to quit by joining a support group or smoking cessation program. Non-nicotine prescriptions may also be used like Zyban or Chantix. However, these drugs are associated with side effects like bloating, fatigue, insomnia, diarrhea, constipation, lightheadedness, and unusual dreams.
Homeopathy, on the other hand, offers safe and reliable medicines for the treatment of nicotine and tobacco withdrawal. The following are homeopathic remedies that help with a tobacco detox. Homeopathic remedies should be taken two or three times daily when withdrawal symptoms are present. For long-term after-effects, or to detoxify from tobacco, it is best to use the 30c potency once daily for two weeks or more. It is always best to consult a homeopath for an accurate dosage and protocol. The following are some of the most common quitting smoking homeopathic remedies.
1. Tabacum
Tabacum is made from tobacco. It helps for those that experience nausea, motion sickness, vomiting with cold sweats, watery diarrhea, vertigo, paleness, angina and palpitations, depression, and sexual weakness. Cold air improves symptoms, but things worsen from heat.
2. Caladium Seguinum
Caladium sequinum helps with those that cannot experience a bowel movement without having a cigarette first. Other symptoms present when caladium is necessary include asthma, nausea, vertigo, headaches, impotency, depression, nervousness, and sensitivity to noise.
3. Ignatia
Ignatia is used when there is an aversion to tobacco smoke. Common symptoms will include toothaches, spasms, twitches, tics, faintness, and chilliness. They also have suppressed grief, anger, shock, and fear. They are also an idealist and become sensitive quite easily. Symptoms worsen from touch.
4. Lobelia
Lobelia is made from Indian tobacco. It is used for smoking withdrawal, especially when the person has asthma, emphysema, a weak stomach, indigestion, vomiting, intense nausea, vertigo, cold sweats, and a lot of saliva. The person is also a hypochondriac, and fear leads to shortness of breath.
5. Nux Vomica
Nux vomica is appropriate when the person experiences irritability, depression, stress, insomnia, and anxiety when they are trying to quit smoking. Besides cigarettes, the person will also likely abuse other stimulants like alcohol, drugs, and coffee. The person is also very quite critical, driven, and uptight by nature. They also have a lot of unsatisfied urges.
6. Plantago
Plantago will help create a dislike for tobacco. The person’s symptoms will include facial neuralgia, earaches, toothaches, eye pain, restlessness, irritability, red wetting, depression, and insomnia from tobacco. Movement seems to improve symptoms, but things worsen from touch and resting.
7. Staphysagria
Staphysagria is great for people with addictive tendencies, including the need for tobacco, alcohol, food, TV, sex, and attachments to relationships. Hunger is also common, along with cravings for milk, bread, and sweets. The person is also obsessed with sex and masturbation. Tobacco use will cause angina, heartburn, coughing, itchy skin, and frequent cystitis. Suppressed rage and anger are also common.
8. Other Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic nicotine also helps eliminate nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms while the person is trying to quit. Avena sativa is a homeopathic remedy that improves mental clarity when quitting. Finally, arnica montana will reduce the extreme desire for a cigarette.
Other Natural Remedies for Quitting Smoking
In addition to homeopathy, other natural quitting smoking remedies can also help. It is a good idea to identify environment triggers to your smoking habit, which may include going to parties, drinking alcohol, or arguing with your spouse. Moderate exercise also reduces tobacco withdrawal symptoms. Here are a few other things you can try.
1. Lime
Fresh lime appears to help those attempting to quit smoking. A study published in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand in 2012 concluded that fresh lime can effectively be used as a smoking cessation aid to reduce nicotine cravings. Although it wasn’t as good as nicotine gum in the study, lime is a non-toxic alternative that can also boost immunity. The vitamin C in lime is important since one cigarette will destroy 100 milligrams of vitamin C.
2. Acupuncture
Some studies show that acupuncture can help people quit smoking. For instance, a 2010 study published in Neurological Research found that acupuncture significantly reduced withdrawal symptoms from smoking.
3. Herbal Treatments
Herbal treatment can also help repair tissues damaged by smoking. Green tea, in particular, helps diminish the urge to smoke, while lobelia tea is often used with green tea in the detoxification period.
4. Hypnosis
In a meta-analysis of 59 studies published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis in 2000, hypnosis was judged to be partially efficient in the treatment of smoking cessation.
5. Relaxation Techniques
Studies have also found that self-massage may alleviate smoking-related anxiety, improve mood, lower the number of cigarettes smoked, and reduce overall cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Mindfulness-based interventions have also reduced the urge to smoke in college student smokers. Needless to say, quitting smoking is one of the hardest things to stop doing.
There are however natural ways to make quitting a little easier, including homeopathy, herbal remedies, and relaxation techniques. It is also useful to eat a wholesome diet with lots of vegetables and fruit. At the same time, avoid sugar and caffeine, which can elevate withdrawal symptoms. Also, make sure you are drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep nightly.
Remember, everyone quits differently, and it is best to find a strategy that works for you. Work with a natural doctor and homeopath to create a quit smoking plan that is right for you.
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