Gums, Patches and Hypnosis…Oh My!  

In this article we will be looking a few of the quit smoking products and remedies for quitting smoking. Everyone is different, that is why there is a wide variety of ways to help you quit. 

Nicotine Gum 

Nicotine gum is one of the best quit smoking products. This gum is a form of nicotine replacement that works very quickly by getting into the bloodstream through the mucous membrane in your mouth.  You don’t have to have a precription to purchase it and it comes in strengths of 2 mg and 4 mg. 

It is very important when using nicotine gum to follow the included directions very carefully.  You should chew the gum until you notice a peppery taste, and then let it set against your cheek for a while.  You should alternate between chewing it and putting it against your cheek for about 20-30 minutes.   You should avoid eating certain foods and drinks that are acidic, such as juices, coffee, and soft drinks, for 15 minutes before and after you use the nicotine gum because it can absorb the nicotine that is absorbed in the bloodstream. 

If you are a heavy smoker who lights up more than a pack a day you should probably start with 4 mg.  You shouldn’t use more than 20 pieces of nicotine gum per day.  In addition, you should only use nicotine gum for 1 to 3 months and for no longer than 6 months and you shouldn’t chew more than twenty pieces of gum per day.  Gum gives you to better control of the nicotine you ingest when compared to the patch.  This is because you only chew the gum when you need it.  Recent data has shown that scheduled doses of nicotine gum are more effective than using it “as needed.”   

Possible side effects of nicotine gum include:  throat irritation, bad taste, hiccups, mouth ulcers, jaw discomfort, nausea, and a racing heartbeat.  Problems with the jaw and stomach are usually caused by using the gum improperly, such as chewing too rapidly or swallowing nicotine. 

Using the Patch to Quit Smoking 

A nicotine patch is another one of the great quit smoking products. A nicotine patch will provide you with small measured doses of nicotine through your skin throughout the day.  Switching to different patches over time gradually lowers the doses, until you are finally weaned from nicotine.  Nicotine patches can be purchased without a prescription and there are several different strengths available.   

The 16 hour patch is what is recommended for those who are light smokers.  This patch is less likely to cause side effects such as sleep problems, a racing heartbeat, headache, and skin irritation.  This patch does not deliver nicotine during the night so it will not stop the urge for smoking in the morning.   

The 24 hour patch also provides a steady dose of nicotine all the time,  helping with morning withdrawal symptoms.  There are several more side effects with the 24 hour patch, such as disrupted sleep patterns and skin irritations. 

Most smokers start with the full-strength patch, which delivers 15 to 22 mg of nicotine, for the reccomended four weeks.  Then move to a weaker patch of 5 to 14 mg for another recommended four weeks.  The patch itself is applied during the morning to a clean, dry area on the body that does not have much hair.  The location should be below the neck, yet above the waist.  Patches can be affective in as little as eight weeks. 

Side Effects of Nicotine Patches 

Common side effects associated with the nicotine patch include dizziness, skin irritation, racing heartbeat, headache, sleep problems, vomiting, nausea, muscle aches and stiffness.  If any of these occur, you should try switching to a different brand, using a lower dose patch, or using a different form of nicotine replacement.  If you are having problems sleeping, give it a few days to see if it improves.  If not, switch to a lower dosage. 

Using Hypnosis to Quit Smoking 

Hypnosis to quit smoking is a form of therapy during which a trained hypnotherapist puts you into a trancelike state. While many people are very skeptical about hypnosis, for many people it really does work (I have witnessed it myself). While in this state, you are more open to suggestion. Sometimes, hypnosis is done in addition to other remedies you may be utilizing, but it can also be used alone. On occasion, this form of treatment can be effective in as little as one session. 

There are no potential side effects of hypnosis to quit smoking.  There is, however, very little research proving if it really works or why it works.  Critics of this form of therapy say the hypnosis itself does not work, rather it is the patient’s belief in the system that makes it effective.  But, of course, it really does not matter why it works if it does help you quit smoking. 

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