| Why is Smoking So Hard to Quit?
Hey there! I’m Vishnu, a homeopathy student and researcher, always curious about how natural healing can make a difference. Smoking is one of the toughest habits to quit
A transient surge of endorphins in the reward circuits of the brain causes a slight, brief euphoria when nicotine is administered. This surge is much briefer than the "high" associated with other drugs. However, like other drugs of abuse, nicotine increases levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in these reward circuits , which reinforces the behavior of taking the drug.
Repeated exposure alters these circuits' sensitivity to dopamine and leads to changes in other brain circuits involved in learning, stress, and self-control. For many tobacco users, the long-term brain changes induced by continued nicotine exposure result in addiction, which involves withdrawal symptoms when not smoking, and difficulty adhering to the resolution to quit. We all know smoking is harmful, but quitting isn’t just about knowing the risks—it’s about overcoming physical addiction, habit, and routine . Nicotine creates a dependency by triggering dopamine, the brain’s "feel-good" chemical. Over time, the body gets used to this boost, leading to cravings and withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit .
But smoking is also a deeply ingrained habit—whether it’s having a cigarette with coffee, during study breaks, or as a way to handle stress. Some of my classmates mentioned that the hardest part wasn’t just nicotine withdrawal—it was breaking the routine that had become second nature over the years. In addition to its pleasurable effects, nicotine also temporarily boosts aspects of cognition, such as the ability to sustain attention and hold information in memory.
However, long-term smoking is associated with cognitive decline and risk of Alzheimer's Disease, suggesting that short-term nicotine-related enhancement does not outweigh long-term consequences for cognitive functioning. In addition, people in withdrawal from nicotine experience neurocognitive deficits such as problems with attention or memory. These neurocognitive withdrawal symptoms are increasingly recognized as a contributor to continued smoking.
This is where homeopathy can step in, helping to ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and bring balance back to the body.
A few of my friends wanted to quit smoking . They tried nicotine patches, chewing gum, and even quitting suddenly, but the cravings and withdrawal symptoms made it difficult. One day, during a casual chat, a friend shared that he started smoking because of stress and social influence. At first, he kept it a secret, but over time, it became a habit, and now he finds it hard to stop.
I advised them to take homeopathy treatment it doesn’t have harmful side effects. Some of them gave it a try and felt it helped them manage their cravings and withdrawal more naturally. It was nice to see them feel more in control.
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