Nicotine Side Effects

... but I'm still addicted to nicotine

Are you worried about the possible nicotine side effects from your addiction?

Surprisingly you may be addicted to a recognizable brand name nicotine replacement chewing gum.

That addiction may be harder to give up than when you were physically smoking cigarettes.

Are you desperate to give it up before the dangers of nicotine does any further damage to your health?

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can be somewhat of a mixed blessing.

Perhaps someone you know who has quit smoking by chewing nicotine gum has encouraged or even badgered you to try NRT...maybe even your doctor.

How easy it seems, but if it is so easy why are so many ex smokers chewing nicotine gum ... some for over Ten (10) years since they stopped smoking cigarettes.

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. It doesn't take people long to feel the biological effects. The brain receptors respond to substances such as nicotine and they very quickly want more.

It is one of the most addictive substances and we know that nicotine side effects are not only a danger of smoking. 

But how many smokers that quit smoking have actually swapped one nicotine addiction for another?

If you are looking for effective way to stop cravings, the urge to smoke and withdrawal symptoms from tobacco-delivered nicotine-dependence yu will be happy to know that there are some terrific nicotine free non addictive products available. Many of these products made from natural ingredients.

Some of these alternatives to NRT’s even contain dark chocolate which has been proven in clinical studies to increase cardiac function and arterial blood flow in smokers.

Take your time and look for what will work for you to take away your addiction.

Did you crave a cigarette in church on Sunday? That urge to smoke doesn't make it a sin!

You don't have to smoke like your going to hell before you get to church. Nicotine Side effects and nicotine withdrawal? Why go through it just because there is so much pressure from the choir.

How sin free do you think they can be as they preach the virtues of freedom from smoking?

 

Flavanol-rich dark chocolate and cocoa drinks helps maths performance

Chocolate makers seeking to leverage sales through health-positioned products could find a fresh direction with new research from the UK suggesting cocoa drinks rich in flavanols could help consumers do maths.  Following a small study, researchers at the UK's Northumbria university found the high level of cacao anchored in chocolate improved cognitive performance in arithmatic tests.

These studies follow on the heels of other studies about dark chocolate's relationship to nicotine side effects and improvement of arterial blood flow in smokers.

"Dark chocolate and drinks rich in cocoa flavanols significantly improved aspects of cognitive performance and levels of fatigue during this mentally demanding task," said Crystal Haskell at the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research centre at Northumbria university.

This latest research builds on a plethora of studies in recent years that have probed the area of cocoa flavanols and their potential positive impact on health, from heart disease to depression and improvement in smokers health. Even though dark chocolate may not be a product classified as a product to quit smoking it would appear to lessen some of  those nicotine side effects contributing to many consequences of smoking.

Flavanols, the building blocks for proanthocyanidins, are a class of flavonoids that exist naturally in cacao. They have attracted increasing attention from the scientific community, and the food industry, due to their potent antioxidant properties and the role they could potentially play in combating the rising incidence of smoking related cardiovascular disease in today's society.

Consumers have become passionate about looking and feeling good with food and drink products neatly slotting into this trend, and new product development from food makers squarely positioned to piggy-back the emerging health and wellness trend.

But in terms of chocolate, the functional dark chocolate trend is still at the beginning of the curve and only a handful of makers to date, such as Mars' CocaVia and Barry Callebaut's Acticoa, have rolled out products that directly target this area.

However, the double-digit growth seen in the functional category does make for compelling figures and an understandable motivation to drive new product development further down the functional chocolate path. Market analyst Euromonitor reports that in the past four years the functional market has grown on average by 15 per cent a year.

And one in four Western consumers are interested in chocolate with physical or emotional health benefits, according to data gathered on behalf of Barry Callebaut in Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, the UK and the US.

UK cocoa drink study uses high levels - 520 mg and 993mg - of cocoa flavonols

“Foods containing high levels of cocoa flavanols, found in dark chocolate, have been shown to increase cerebral blood flow, and it has also been proven that consumption of plants that have these properties improves performance on mentally demanding tasks. We wanted to discover whether cocoa flavanols produced the same effect,” commented Haskell.

For this study, 30 adults consumed cocoa drinks on different days containing 520 mg of cocoa flavanols, 993 mg of cocoa flavanols or a control drink.

The participants were given a number of mentally demanding tasks to complete, such as counting backwards from 999 in threes.

On the days the participants drank the beverages containing 520mg or 993mg of cocoa flavanols "they performed significantly better at the arithmetic task", report the researchers.

Further, the participants recorded they were also less mentally tired during the task after drinking the cocoa-flavanol rich beverage.

Commenting on the findings Professor David Kennedy from Northumbria university added: “The results presented in the symposium show that medicinal herbal extracts and plant-derived chemical compounds from common foodstuffs can also improve cognitive performance and mood.”

The findings were presented as part of a symposium highlighting the potential of plant-based treatments presented this week at the British Psychological Society annual conference in Brighton, UK.

Based on an original article  by Lindsey Partos, 07-Apr-2009

New evidence that dark chocolate helps ease emotional stress was just published in “Metabolic Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Energy, Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living Subjects.”

The study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed. The study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed.The daily dose also partially corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances. And that’s not all…Sunil Kochhar, and colleagues note growing scientific evidence that antioxidants and other beneficial substances in dark chocolate may reduce risk factors for heart disease and other physical conditions. Although studies in the past have suggested that chocolate may ease emotional stress, there was little evidence until now from research in humans on exactly how chocolate might have those stress-busting effects.

In the study, scientists identified reductions in stress hormones and other stress-related biochemical changes in volunteers who rated themselves as highly stressed and ate dark chocolate for two weeks. “The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 grams [1.4 ounces] during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers,” the scientists say.

This great news for smokers and those smokers that want to quit smoking with a natural stop smoking alternative. No nicotine side effects or those nasty quit smoking cravings.

When you have the urge to smoke look for some of the new dark chocolate products to feel good and reduce the nicotine withdrawal.

Busting Myths On STOPPING Smoking

With the current economy, many are finding their tobacco and nicotine habit hard to give up. But it's not easy to quit, especially with so many myths associated with smoking and quitting smoking.

Many smokers believe they are not hooked and think they can stop smoking whenever they want, but after talking with Wichita Falls health experts, we found that is highly unlikely.

"In reality, cigarette nicotine smoking is as addictive as heroin," said Registered Therapist Debra Pardue. She said most smokers are shocked when they learn the ingredients in cigarettes.

Pardue said, "It's not nicotine that causes the cancer it's the nicotine that keeps you addicted.  The other additives are what cause cancers when they are burned."

So some try to stop the urge for nicotine by themselves and get off heavy cigarettes by turning to lights, dip or chew. They believe they'll never be able to quit smoking completely because they fear their urge to smoke that is supported by nicotine craving will never go away. In realty, Pardue says these alternatives are no better and while each individual reacts differently, the chemical withdrawal is only ten to 14 days."You do have to get your mind set that you're going to quit smoking and find reasons to quit. Whether it's health, your pocket book, whatever reason you have to prepare," said American Cancer Society Community Organizer Candy Kennedy.

For those afraid they'll gain weight if they stop smoking, experts said that only happens because many fill the void with food. "Normally it's going to be snack foods, high in fat and something to occupy hands for daily craving from cigarettes," Kennedy said. Pardue said, "You're only going to gain an average of five to seven pounds and if you weigh the detrimental side effects to that five to seven pounds against the benefits of quitting, it's no comparison."

According to the American Cancer Society within 20 minutes of that last cigarette, a person's blood pressure and pulse drop to normal. So, even if you've been smoking most of your life,

Pardue said it's never too late to give up the smoking habit. If not for you, then for those around you."The way we live our lives has a direct effect on our kids and grandkids so we need to set an example for them," Pardue said. Both Kennedy and Pardue say it's easier to quit smoking if you have a support group, whether it be a friend, co-worker or spouse.

Common Nicotine Gum Use Adversities

Common complaints among long-term nicotine replacement gum users (one year or greater) include: nicotine addiction and with intense gum cravings realted to nicotine withdrawal, anxiety, irritability, dizziness, headaches, nervousness, hiccups, ringing in the ears, chronic depression, headaches, heart burn, elevated blood pressure, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, sleep disruption, tiredness, a lack of motivation, a heavy feeling, recessed, bleeding and diseased gums, diminished sense of taste, tooth enamel damage, tooth loss, jaw-joint pain and damage (TMJ), canker sores with white patches on the tongue or mouth, bad breath, dry mouth, sore or irritated throat, difficulty swallowing, swollen glands, bronchitis, stomach problems and pain, gastritis, severe bloating, belching, achy muscles and joints, pins and needles in arms and hands, uncontrollable foul smelling gas that lingers, a lack of energy, loss of sex drive, acid reflux, stomach ulcers, fecal impaction from dehydration, scalp tingling, hair loss, acne, facial reddening, chronic skin rashes and concerns about immune system suppression. All this means is that nicotine withdrawal is associated with nicotine replacement making NRT less than a best stop smoking aid because of nicotine's side effects.

Other Health Concerns

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration is not blind. It has seen industry commercials and knows that nicotine gum is addictive and that nicotine withdrawal is a problem encountered by long time users of nicotine replace as a stop smoking alternative. It is being marketed as both a great tasting supplement to smoking and a permanent stand-alone harm reduction solution. Sadly, this is being done without any meaningful long-term research regarding the consequences of long-term NRT use or the influence of harm reduction marketing in fostering youth nicotine addiction. In the initial clinical studies supporting FDA approval it was never intended for these uses. As a matter of fact during the 13 week trials regular gum shown to have a 60% placebo effect in subjects enrolled in the study.

Recent studies raise a host of use concerns as smoking alternative because of nicotine side effects that most users will not notice until it’s too late. Researchers are concerned that nicotine is a super toxin that appears to destroy brain gray matter, prevent unhealthy cells throughout the body from dying natural deaths (apoptosis), promotes lung, breast and pancreatic cancer, hinders bone healing, induces angiogenesis which causes plaque build-up within arteries to harden, and that it accelerates tumor growth rates.

Better to try a more natural smoking alternative when you have the urge to smoke.

Just who's freedom from smoking is it anyway? Stop smoking bans have been popping up across the United States for over a decade now. There is evidence on both sides regarding the harmful affects of secondhand smoke. Some studies show that secondhand smoke is detrimental to those around the smoker and some studies have shown that with proper air ventilation, secondhand smoke is not an issue.

Smoking bans are just disguised as ways to take away the freedom to smoke, but also present a great problem to the free market where these bans are literally dictating what a business owner can and cannot do in their own private business. These bans are beginning to filtrate into private homes and cars.

Smoking is an adult behavior. Just as drinking alcohol and engaging in sexual activity are considered adult behaviors. But as we have learned over the years, shielding children from being educated in making responsible choices once they become adults, only causes children to make irresponsible choices while they are children.

So what do smoking bans really accomplish? Do they really accomplish a greater sense of public health? Do they create a distaste for “big government”? Are smoking bans backwards? Do they really help you to quit smoking?

Let’s look at the history of smoking bans, in a nutshell of course. At first, anti-smoking advocates were against smoking inside because of the compact conditions and poor air movement quality. Their concern was that non-smoking workers and patrons could not get away from secondhand smoke as it does have a tendency to “sit” in the air. The argument was that workers do not have a choice of where they work so they need to be protected from side effects of smoking and nicotine. So they fought to have all smoking pushed outside.

It is here that the private business owners began to feel an infringement upon their rights. The local government is now telling them that they can’t allow the use of a legal product in their privately owned, adult only business.

Smoking then went outside. And business owners reluctantly complied, setting up smoking areas for their patrons, outside and at their own expense.

Then, a few years later, these same advocates were tired of having to walk through the smoke to get into non-smoking establishments so they decided to go after smoking outside. Now, not only are private business owners lacking in their rights, but smokers were also being told that as a smoker, somehow their rights are not equal to those who are non-smokers.

Now, for the non-smoking advocate who may be reading this, please don’t get upset. We definitely see your side of this. Why should someone who has no desire to be engulfed in cigarette smoke have to put up with secondhand cigarette smoke? Why should parents have to run quickly through clouds of smoke with their children in order to get past the front doors of one establishment? And for those who have quit smoking and struggle every day with the urge to smoke and to stay on the wagon, why would one want to be subjected to such temptation? Recovering alcoholics are lucky because if they don’t want to go into a bar, they simply don’t have to.

But what would have happened if the anti-smoking advocates had done the exact opposite? What would have happened if their original smoking bans were to restrict all smoking on public streets and only to allow smoking in private businesses that had proper ventilation systems and were physically marked on the entrance that this is a “smoking establishment”? Would we be having the heated debates today that we are? As for the workers in such an establishment; in America they have the right to choose where they work.

A federal judge may soon decide whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to regulate electronic (e-) cigarettes as drug-delivery devices and nicotine delivery systems, the Christian Science Monitor reported Oct. 17.

Smoking Could Make PTSD Worse

Researchers say that nicotine side effects on brain activity may exacerbate Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among smokers, and that alcohol, tobacco and other drug use by PTSD patients suggests the need for simultaneous treatment of co-occurring addictive and mental-health disorders.

Few treatment programs address PTSD and addiction at the same time. "It's kind of a clinical myth that you can only do one at a time or should only do one at a time," said Jean Beckham, a PTSD specialist and psychologist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Durham, N.C.

Although some PTSD patients say a cigarette helps their mood when they're having symptoms, Beckham said nicotine's known ability to sharpen attention may reinforce bad memories. "If you think about your traumatic event and you smoke your cigarette, you can think about it even better," said Beckham.

A new report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that addiction causes changes in some of the same brain areas disrupted by mood and anxiety disorders like PTSD. Up to 60 percent of people in addiction treatment are estimated to have PTSD, and those with PTSD are three times more likely than other patients to drop out of treatment.

PTSD has received renewed attention as U.S. Veterans return from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. A study last year by the RAND research organization estimated nearly 20 percent of returning soldiers have symptoms of PTSD or major depression. 

Repost from the Associated Press

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 22, 2009

FDA and Public Health Experts Warn About Electronic Cigarettes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that a laboratory analysis of electronic cigarette samples has found that they contain carcinogens and toxic chemicals such as diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze.

Electronic cigarettes, also called “e-cigarettes,” are battery-operated devices that generally contain cartridges filled with nicotine, flavor and other chemicals. The electronic cigarette turns nicotine, which is highly addictive, and other chemicals into a vapor that is inhaled by the user.

These products are marketed and sold to young people and are readily available online and in shopping malls. In addition, these products do not contain any health warnings comparable to FDA-approved nicotine replacement products or conventional cigarettes. They are also available in different flavors, such as chocolate and mint, which may appeal to young people.

Public health experts expressed concern that electronic cigarettes could increase nicotine addiction and tobacco use in young people. Jonathan Winickoff, M.D., chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Tobacco Consortium and Jonathan Samet, M.D., director of the Institute for Global Health at the University of Southern California, joined Joshua Sharfstein, M.D., principal deputy commissioner of the FDA, and Matthew McKenna, M.D., director of the Office of Smoking and Health for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to discuss the potential risks associated with the use of electronic cigarettes.

“The FDA is concerned about the safety of these products and how they are marketed to the public,” said Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., commissioner of food and drugs.

Because these products have not been submitted to the FDA for evaluation or approval, at this time the agency has no way of knowing, except for the limited testing it has performed, the levels of nicotine or the amounts or kinds of other chemicals that the various brands of these products deliver to the user.

The FDA’s Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis analyzed the ingredients in a small sample of cartridges from two leading brands of electronic cigarettes. In one sample, the FDA’s analyses detected diethylene glycol, a chemical used in antifreeze that is toxic to humans, and in several other samples, the FDA analyses detected carcinogens, including nitrosamines. These tests indicate that these products contained detectable levels of known carcinogens and toxic chemicals to which users could potentially be exposed.

The FDA has been examining and detaining shipments of e-cigarettes at the border and the products it has examined thus far meet the definition of a combination drug-device product under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The FDA has been challenged regarding its jurisdiction over certain e-cigarettes in a case currently pending in federal district court. The agency is also planning additional activities to address its concerns about these products.

Health care professionals and consumers may report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems with the use of e-cigarettes to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, fax or phone.

• Online: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm
• Regular Mail: use postage-paid FDA form 3500 available at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/DownloadForms/default.htm and mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787
• Fax: (800) FDA-0178
• Phone: (800) FDA-1088

·         Media Inquiries: Siobhan DeLancey, 301-796-4668, siobhan.delancey@fda.hhs.gov 
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

Substance abuse and addiction are mental health issues, and are often co-morbid to biologically based brain disorders such as bipolar disease, schizophrenia and depression. Smoking, alcohol and illegal drug use (i.e. cocaine, heroine, marijuana) are among the addictions and substance abuse disorders. The decision to quit smoking is a decision that has take the adversities of mental illness into consideration when the direct danger of smoking is part of the process.

Nicotine addiction is one of the most common addictions that seems to accompany mental illness. Often it is not recommended to try to stop smoking until and unless the mental illness is stabilized as the added stress of quitting smoking can exacerbate the symptoms of the mental illness.

Recently, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug administration) requested black box warning labels be added to two drugs used to assist in smoking-cessation and stopping smoking . Chantix from Pzizer and Zyban from GlaxoSmithKline have been found to cause an increased risk for suicide in some smokers trying to quit smoking and give up the addiction to nicotine. They have also been shown to have other severe neuropsychiatric side effects such as mood swings and aggressive behavior issues.

Pfizer has had warning labels on Chantix since 2007, but is adding the stronger black box warning label to its product.

Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s drug division stated, “The risk of serious adverse events while taking these products must be weighed against the significant health benefits of quitting smoking.” The FDA has issued this request for black box warnings after careful study of side effects reported to the FDA, clinical trial information and scientific literature.

Those persons who have biologically based mental illness may already be at increased risk for the suicidal tendencies, mood swings and aggressive behavior issues. They should use these drugs with extreme caution and should discuss the increased risks with their health care practitioners and alert their support system of family and friends.

Alternative stop smoking solutions may be a safer answer. 

Don’t be so judgmental of smokers. It’s hard to stop smoking. It makes more sense to be judgmental of tobacco companies who keep people addicted to nicotine. They are the ones that don’t want smokers to quit smoking.

People aren't stupid and they know the side effects of nicotine. Cigarettes are a drug (nicotine) delivery system. Nicotine in any form probably causes cancer. But o does standing in front of a microwave, talking on your cell phone, drinking/eating off of plastics with BPH, pesticides, lawn care products, lead-based paint, etc.

And if smokers think that's disgusting, then they should quit smoking. My feeling is that many don’t!

My father smoked for over 50 years and he quit smoking cold turkey. My dad wasn’t stupid or disgusting or an idiot or selfish or any of the other unbelievably judgmental things people have posted because he smoked and didn’t really want to stop smoking.

There's a really simple answer when it comes to quitting smoking: let smokers enjoy their cigarettes.

I've never once heard my father complain he didn’t have the willpower to quit smoking. He enjoyed his cigarettes and didn’t want to stop smoking. He didn’t WANT to. And it's his body, his choice.

Rants From The No Smoking Section

Hey all you anti-smoking, second hand smoke, your nicotine side effects are killing me and my family … Stop the sideshow.

Last time I checked my PSTD wasn't’t nearly as bad as the freedoms some of us fought for that you want to take away.

Give it up  ... the freedom to smoke begins with the word FREE.

To me that freedom of choice means if you want to smoke … smoke. If you want to stop smoking … stop smoking!

Here is something Richard Simpson of Round Rock, Texas says about respecting the rights of others to choose to smoke or choose to quit smoking.

 “I quit smoking six years now and have no desire to indulge in my nicotine addiction again, but that does not mean I desire to take away that right to smoke from someone else. Just because you do not like it does not mean someone else feels the same. If a business had the right to allow the freedom to smoke, why should a person, city, state or any other government be able to force someone to stop smoking and just take that right away? What happened to the rights of the smoker or, better yet, the existing establishments? Visit a smoke-free establishment just as I do and leave the rights of others alone! “