With smoking being the leading cause of lung cancer (+ a ton of other health issues) worldwide, quitting the habit is actively encouraged by all major health authorities. Many smokers are currently on the hunt for solutions to help them ditch nicotine for good, and - with the substance being more addictive than some of the world’s most renowned hard drugs, there’s no wonder that the path to a nicotine free life can be rather difficult. This is because, the more you smoke, the more your brain receptors eagerly start waiting for that next nicotine intake to up the release of dopamine. This is where nicotine cravings begin, bringing in the dreaded vicious circle of addiction. Luckily for those looking to kick the habit, the market of quit smoking aids is now bigger than ever. The total value of this category is estimated to grow by 15% between 2021 and 2028, with the general public becoming more and more knowledgeable when it comes to the health risks and complications smoking brings. 

HOW YOUR HEALTH IMPROVES WHEN YOU QUIT SMOKING 

Your all over state of health and wellbeing drastically improves when you decide to switch to being nicotine-free. In fact, many quitting smoking timelines reveal that changes in your body occur in as little as one hour after your last cigarette or puff from a nicotine-filled device. By consciously ditching the habit, you are essentially rewiring your brain to stop those nicotine cravings, which is bound to reboot you both physically and mentally. Here’s a timeline of how your body rewards you for being nicotine free: 

After one hour…

Your heart rate and blood pressure drop, leading to an improvement in circulation 

After twelve hours…

Your body will start cleansing itself from the harmful carbon monoxide particles and other toxins contained in tobacco products 

After twenty four hours…

The risk of heart attack, coronary disease and other dangerous conditions associated with smoking already start to decrease 

After three days…

There is no more nicotine left in your body

After one month…

Your lung function begins to improve

After three months…

Blood circulation improves

After one year…

The risk of coronary heart disease is halved 

After five years…

The risk of stroke is lowered, with blood vessels and arteries returning to normal 

After ten years…

The chance of developing lung cancer is half of a smoker’s 

For every year of not smoking, heaps of benefits come along the way. With so much information about quitting made available to us, the array of smoking cessation products designed to help you on your quitting journey is actively expanding, bringing you easier-than-ever ways to quit and plenty of alternatives for you to choose from. 

THE BEST PRODUCTS TO HELP YOU QUIT SMOKING 

Nicotine patches 

Nicotine patches allow you to gradually wean yourself off the substance by lowering the intake of nicotine over a certain period of time. Usually, they are available in three different dosage strengths, allowing you to switch between them as your brain starts to slowly leave that nicotine addiction behind. They are a popular form of nicotine replacement therapy, with many people using them as part of a smoking cessation program to help manage nicotine cravings. Experts advise to always make sure you’re using the correct dose, as well as getting clued up on the side effects that come with regular use - such as sleep disturbances and dizziness. 

Nicotine gum 

Dating all the way back to the ‘80s, nicotine gum is a special type of chewing gum, often used as part of a smoking cessation program to make quitting easier. As you chew the gum, nicotine starts slowly being released into the mouth, with the substance taking a few minutes to reach the brain. Whilst this type of product gives a slower ‘hit’ than you would get with regular nicotine devices and cigarettes, the practice of using nicotine gum when ditching the habit has been proven to help slowly wean you off addiction. Nicotine gum is available in a variety of flavours, but the most common one is slightly pepperminty; a taste which will be finished once you have chewed it for long enough, which is when the nicotine has been released into your body through the blood vessels in your mouth. The average nicotine gum intake for a quitter is 10-15 pieces a day. 

Nicotine nasal spray 

Similarly to nicotine gum, nicotine nasal spray allows you to gradually wean yourself off the substance by allowing its absorption into your body via the blood vessels inside your nose. Unlike other products used as ways to help you quit smoking, nicotine nasal spray is a prescription-only product, with a medical professional usually directing frequency of usage. 

The general recommended dosage is eight doses per day, however, this varies for each individual, depending on the level of addiction they’re looking to shake off. Every bottle contains 10mg of nicotine, with each spray delivering 0.5mg of nicotine into the bloodstream. 

Nicotine inhaler

Nicotine inhalers are a popular way to quit smoking due to their ability to replicate that hand-to-mouth gesture associated with the habit; oral fixation is actually a key factor that keeps people hooked on smoking. By using the power of inhalation, these devices deliver nicotine without the added harmful chemicals normally contained in a cigarette or e-cigarette, which makes them a convenient way to quit smoking and lowering your nicotine intake. When it comes to the regular usage of nicotine inhalers, there is less calculation needed with regards to the dosage. Industry authorities advise that you puff on your inhaler whenever you feel like it, with your body receiving the necessary amount of nicotine either way. 

Aromatherapeutic products 

Aromatherapy is a holistic practice that harnesses the holistic powers of essential oils, known to support your overall state of wellbeing. Strongly based on the power of scent, the essential oils used within the practice have their own unique benefits and play a stellar part in calming the mind and body. With that in mind, many experts recommend incorporating this practice into a smoking cessation program to help support balance and calm. The most popular way to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy is via an essential oil diffuser. Known for delivering the holistic properties of essential oils around you by turning them into vapour, essential oil diffusers are a growing wellness trend. By scenting the room they are placed in, they provide heaps of benefits - from calming stress and anxiety to boosting immunity. By using essential oils as part of a smoking cessation program, you don’t just give your brain a mini-break from the stress that quitting can bring - but you also actually make your journey to a nicotine-free life easier. Some essential oils, such as black pepper, cardamom and neroli, are known to help curb nicotine cravings and aid the overall process of quitting.

Nicotine lozenges 

Nicotine lozenges are custom tablets, designed to slowly dissolve inside your mouth and release nicotine over the course of 20 to 30 minutes. Generally sold as an over the counter medication, experts advise you use them every 1-2 hours for the first 6 weeks of quitting smoking. Like most smoking cessation products, nicotine lozenges are available in different dosages. Experts advise the lozenges are used in conjunction with nicotine patches. 

Here at ripple+, we’re passionate about helping people unveil their happier and healthier selves and know that the journey to a nicotine free life can be rather tricky. This is why we always strive to bring you all the info you need to kick-start that nicotine-free journey!