Have you been thinking about quitting smoking but are hesitant to ingest chemicals and nicotine from stop smoking aids? Now more than ever there are plenty of natural methods to help you quit smoking – without harmful chemicals and the side effects that often come along with them.
Below you’ll find information on some of the most common natural methods to quit smoking:
Herbal supplements
Unfortunately, there are no definitive studies that confirm the effectiveness of herbal supplements in reducing the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Personal feedback also varies; some people say it helps, others say not. But if you’re interested in exploring the possibilities, start with these herbs commonly used for smoking cessation: St. John’s Wort, lobelia, ginseng, valerian, skullcap.
Some of these herbs are actually smoked in a pipe or hand-rolled cigarette, while others are taken orally as supplements. Note also that herbal supplements can be dangerous for some individuals. They are not regulated by like prescription drugs, so knowing the proper dosage and safe usage guidelines can often be hit and miss. Another concern is that some herbal supplements can interfere with prescription medications or aggravate existing medical conditions. If you are unsure whether herbal supplements are right for you, consult your healthcare practitioner.
Alternative treatments
Many people report success in quitting smoking with the use of alternative treatments like acupuncture, acupressure, hypnotherapy, EFT (emotional freedom techniques), meditation and visualization, massage and reiki. Some of these treatments focus on clearing the thoughts and beliefs that lead you to be a smoker, while others claim to clear the human energy field (aura) and promote healing on an energetic level.
It’s interesting to note that these modalities are most often effective when people believe they will be. If you are not open to these types of treatments, it’s doubtful that they would be effective in reducing your urge to smoke. Of course, the same could be said for any type of treatment: if you believe it is helping, you will be successful in abstaining from smoking.
“Cold turkey”
Probably the best known natural method to quit smoking is simply stopping, commonly referred to as “cold turkey.” There’s no doubt that it’s the most final way to become a non-smoker, but it’s definitely not easy for some people to do.
It is possible to combine the cold turkey method with less intense natural methods, like cutting back gradually for a few weeks or having one or more hypnotherapy sessions before making the final leap.
Are natural methods better than traditional methods to quit smoking?
It depends who you ask. Manufacturers of nicotine replacement products not surprisingly claim that using gum, patches, lozenges or nicotine inhalers work the best. Drug manufacturers claim that prescription medications work the best. Individuals who have successfully quit smoking report that different methods worked best for them – some natural, and some traditional.
In the end, you are the best person to decide which method will work for you. There’s no shame in using any method, provided it’s safe and helps you meet your ultimate objective: to be a non-smoker.
Filed under Quit Smoking by on Jan 6th, 2010. Comment. 
As you well know, quitting smoking is one of the hardest things you will ever do in life. I know this as I was in the same boat as you. I was smoking around 40 a day and let’s just say, I wasn’t at my peak of health. I took the kids to the local park one sunny afternoon to have a game of football and after a couple of minutes I was in a heap on the floor. I knew something had to change, I not only owed it to myself but also my kids to get healthier. I decided that was it and I had to quit smoking!
Now I tried using patches and gum but that just didn’t work as I still missed smoking and ended up just going to the store and throwing the medication in the trash. I knew I had to quit but I was weak willed and need help.
I stumbled over this site one night on the internet called Quit Smoking Today. It sounded really good but I was a little sceptical about getting ripped off, as there are so many online scams. I finally made the decision and bought the course. This was the best decision I ever made!
The course was a Neuro-Linguistic-Programming or NLP which is a form of Hypnosis. This was 7 months ago and I have not had a cigarette since. All I did was download and listen to the recording once a day for about a week and I had kicked the dirty habit.
However this is not for everyone was it only works on 97.2% of people but thankfully I was in that majority.
After quitting I found that I had loads of extra cash so I’ve been saving it for the 7 months for a nice family vacation to Florida. If it wasn’t for the Quit Smoking Today Program this would not have been possible.
Final Verdict:
If you were in the same boat as me and are struggling to kick the habit for good, then I recommend you take a look at Quit Smoking Today. It has working wonders for me, along with many others. To improve your health and save loads of cash just check it out here www-stopsmokingnow.com/go/quitsmoking
Karen
Filed under Quit Smoking by on Jan 8th, 2010. Comment.
Why can’t I cure my own bad habit?
If you have a bad habit – such as comfort eating, smoking or an addiction to gambling or alcohol, for example, then you can probably answer the question for yourself. A lot of us simply can’t kick a bad habit on our own – we tend to say that it’s because we don’t have the willpower to actually carry it through.
The fact is that any kind of bad habit takes hold of you both psychologically and physically. So, when you try to kick the habit yourself you have to deal with a lot of mental stress and physical side effects that can really throw you. So, for many people, it’s simply easier to pick up the bad habit again to make the nasty symptoms go away. This doesn’t make us weak or mean that we lack willpower – it simply means that our bad habit has taken such a hold we need external help to deal with it once and for all.
How can hypnosis help?
There are all kinds of methods you can try to help you kick a bad habit. Most of these will try and appeal to your brain on a conscious level. So, for example, you might go along to a ‘Quit
Smoking’ group where you socialize with other smokers and counsel each other on the effects of smoking and so on. On a purely rational level you will walk out of a meeting knowing that smoking is bad for you and knowing that you want to quit.
But, it isn’t that easy. The rational side of your brain might be telling you all this but your subconscious may still be hanging on to the fact that you are a smoker and could be telling you to go into the nearest store and buy a pack right away! So, to put it simply, hypnosis deals with the subconscious thus making it far easier for you to quit effectively.
Going for hypnosis sessions to cure a bad habit will simply help ALL of your mind focus on the goal of giving up. The methods used by hypnotherapists vary. Some, for example, use a form of aversion therapy that makes you feel slightly nauseous at the thought of smoking. Others simply tell your subconscious that you are not a smoker so – after your session, you’ll act like a non-smoker because your brain is telling you to.
Can it help me quit smoking?
Hypnosis is a great way of quitting smoking. So many of the issues involved with nicotine addiction are psychological so this form of therapy works perfectly here. The fact is that many good hypnotherapists can help you quit smoking in just one session.
As this form of therapy is so suited to quitting smoking, many hypnotherapists receive specialized training in helping people overcome smoking addictions. If you are considering using hypnotherapy to quit then it’s also worthwhile looking for therapists that are also trained in neurolinguistic programming or NLP. NLP is a scientific advancement which works great in tandem with hypnosis – it’s designed to help people take control of their actions.
Valerie Dawson, MSW, CHt has been a hypnotherapist for 18 years. She has undertaken special training in hypnosis techniques for smoking cessation and has helped hundreds of people quit successfully with her Easy Quit Hypnosis Program. You can find full details and a free audio trial at http://www-stopsmokingnow.com/go/hypnosis
Filed under Quit Smoking by on Jan 22nd, 2010. Comment.
Nicorette Stop Smoking Aid Original Flavor Gum – 4mg reduces withdrawal symptoms including nicotine craving associated with quitting smoking.If you are under 18 years of age ask a doctor before use. Before using this product read the enclosed user’s guide for complete directions and other important information. Stop smoking completely when you begin using the gum.If you smoke less than 25 cigarettes a day; use 2mg nicotine gum. If you smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day; use according to the following 12 weeks schedule:Weeks 1 to 6 – 1 piece every 1 to 2 hoursWeeks 7 to 9 – 1 piece every 2 to 4 hoursWeeks 10 to 12 – 1 piece every 4 to 8 hours.Nicotine gum is a medicine and must be used a certain way to get the best results. Chew the gum slowly until it tingles. Then park it between your cheek and gum. When the tingle is gone begin chewing again until the tingle returns. Repeat this process until most of the tingle is gone (about 30 minutes). Do not eat or drink for 15 minutes before chewing the nicotine gum or while chewing a piece. To improve your chances of quitting, use at least 9 pieces per day for the first 6 weeks. If you experience strong or frequent cravings you may use a second piece within the hour. However do not continuously use one piece after another since this may cause hiccups heartburn nausea or other side effects. Do not use more than 24 pieces a day. It is important to complete treatment. Stop using the nicotine gum at the end of 12 weeks. If you still feel the need to use nicotine gum talk to your doctor.Store at 68-77° F. Protect from light.Store at 68-77° F. Protect from light. To increase your success in quitting:1. You must be motivated to quit.2. Use enough – Chew at least 9 pieces of Nicorette per day during the first 6 weeks.3. Use long enough – Use Nicorette for the full 12 weeks.4. Use with a support program as directed in the enclosed User’s Guide.To remove the gum, tear off single unit. Peel off backing starting at corner with loose edge. Push gum through foil.Nicotine Polacrilex Gum.For those who smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day. Each piece contains: calcium (117 mg) sodium (13 mg).
Filed under Nicorette Gum by on Jan 22nd, 2010. Comment.
Zero Nicotine is an innovative stop smoking patch designed to help you give up smoking safely and naturally. With its unique blend of ingredients, Zero Nicotine offers you the best possible chance to finally kick the habit for good! If you are serious about your decision to quit, youve come to the right place. Why Zero Nicotine Works Zero Nicotine is safe and easy to use. Each patch contains a dose of the most effective herbal ingredients, formulated to alleviate the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal while cleansing the system of all smoking-related toxins. To break free from smoking, you need to break free from nicotine. Unlike other stop smoking patches, Zero Nicotines all-natural formula eliminates, rather than replenishes, the level of nicotine in your body, helping you break the habit. Kick the Nicotine Habit Naturally It is a well-known fact that withdrawal from nicotine is very unpleasant. In fact, it is the single thing that causes even the most committed quitters to go back to smoking. What makes the Zero Nicotine patch so amazing is that it combines the all-natural healing properties of a unique variety of traditional herbal formulas to completely and naturally eliminate your bodys need for nicotine. Try Zero Nicotine, and take the first step to claiming your life back. Order the stop smoking patch today! Consider the Benefits of Quitting Arent you tired of being a slave to cigarettes? Below is a list of health benefits you can receive from quitting smoking for good: Stroke risk is reduced to that of a person who never smoked after 5 to 15 years of not smoking. Cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus risks are halved 5 years after quitting. Cancer of the larynx risk is reduced after quitting. Coronary heart disease risk is cut by half 1 year after quitting and is nearly the same as someone who never smoked 15 years after quitting. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk of death is reduced after you quit Lung cancer risk drops by as much as half 10 years after quitting. Ulcer risk drops after quitting. Bladder cancer risk is halved a few years after quitting. Peripheral artery disease goes down after quitting. Cervical cancer risk is reduced a few years after quitting. Low birth weight baby risk drops to normal if you quit before pregnancy or during your first trimester the benefits of quitting. ZERO NICOTINE Patch fights the three major factors that inhibit smoking cessation efforts: 1. Nicotine addiction 2. Withdrawal symptoms 3. Nicotine intoxication The proprietary herbal formulation in ZERO NICOTINE Patch contains ingredients that act as natural substitutes for nicotine; thereby satisfying the bodys craving for this substance, without all the negative side effects of patches containing the actual drug, nicotine. The all-natural ingredients will make you crave fewer cigarettes each day. This gradual process allows you to quit with no withdrawal symptoms and requires less willpower and effort on your part. After analyzing many applicable studies and products currently sold on the market, we have developed a revolutionary formula, found in ZERO NICOTINE Patch, which guarantees smoking cessation in a very short period. Withdrawal symptoms will be milder due to the all-natural nicotine substitute, which helps you shake the nicotine habit gradually, with less physical and emotional stress. Furthermore, to help you through the process, ZERO NICOTINEs herbal formulation helps decrease the anxiety and depression that affect most people who are trying to quit smoking. The nicotine content in your system will gradually decrease as you continue to wear the patch. To help you speed up this important process, ZERO NICOTINE contains ingredients with distinctive antioxidant properties, to detoxify your body and eliminate the nicotine stored in your cells. Most of the harmful effects of smoking will start to disappear once you stop smoking completely. The patch application method allows the active ingredients to penetrate the skin and reach the bloodstream faster and more conveniently than any other method. Other methods, such as pills or lozenges, must be taken several times per day, since they lose many of their active ingredients as they are processed by stomach acid, minimizing their effectiveness. The revolutionary patch system eliminates the need to remember to take pills. Simply apply a new ZERO NICOTINE Patch every three days. Its that easy! What Does Zero Nicotine Patch Do? The Zero Nicotine formula is primarily based around our proprietary herbal blend. It is safe and non-addictive, and it can provide your nicotine receptor cells” with the same sensation provided by nicotine. The difference is that you won’t crave the sensation anymore after finishing the Zero Nicotine formula. Remember
Filed under Stop Smoking Patch by on Jan 23rd, 2010. Comment.
Hi, my name is Karen and I am a non-smoker. Having kicked my addiction to nicotine and cigarettes I am living a healthier no smoking lifestyle. If you would like to be a non-smoker, too, join me on your quest to find the best solution to help you stop smoking.
