New Stop Smoking Pill No More Effective Than Other Aids

The newest "stop smoking pill" is Varenicline, sold under the brand name Chantix in the US and Champix in Europe and Canada. This stop smoking medication was approved by the FDA in August 2006 and was approved for sale in Europe shortly thereafter.



The normal FDA review period of 10 months was shortened to six months for Chantix, allowing the drug to be placed on the market more quickly. According to the FDA's press release, the new stop smoking pill received a "priority review" because of its "significant potential benefit to public health".



The fact is that Chantix, although it is considered a "unique" compound, derives chemically from cytisine, which has been used as a "stop smoking medication" for over 40 years in Eastern Europe. Cytisine is a toxic compound that acts very similar to nicotine.



After analyzing accumulated data involving thousands of smokers, researchers at the University of Geneva concluded that "Cytisine may be effective for smoking cessation." Coincidentally, the Geneva review was released in August of 2006.



Advertising for this "new" stop smoking pill claims that Chantix is more effective than Zyban, the name given to the anti-depressant Welbutrin, when it is prescribed as a stop smoking medication. The fact is that Chantix was only slightly more effective than Zyban in only two of the five independent studies that were completed and patients in the study also received daily counseling.



Over the years, several different anti-depressants have been prescribed as a stop smoking medication. Nicotine replacement therapy, gums, patches, lozenges and nasal spray are commonly used. The gums and patches are sold over the counter in the United States. Overall, studies have shown that about 80% of all smokers will return to smoking within the first year, regardless of the therapy they chose to use.



In April 2007, Pfizer research and development published a study concluding that people could safely take the new stop smoking pill for 52 weeks or one year. The FDA has only approved Chantix for 12 weeks of use, followed by an additional 12 weeks if the person has stopped smoking.



The knowledge that most people return to smoking in the first year may have prompted the Pfizer study, but the results do not indicate that the new stop smoking medication is any more effective than other drugs, including nicotine replacement. Only 53.8% of the smokers completed the study. Of those who did, only 36.7% had not returned to smoking.



In other words, of the 251 smokers who began the study, only 49 completed the study and were still not smoking after one year. Those numbers indicate that Chantix is only effective 19% of the time. Placebo (inactive substances) when combined with a support program is effective 14% of the time. In fact, in a new study published in June 2007, researchers concluded that counseling is just as effective as any stop smoking medication currently on the market.



The researchers went on to say that counseling is the "sole approach without any adverse effects". Negative side effects of the new stop smoking pill are similar to those of nicotine replacement, including nausea, headache, vomiting, insomnia and abnormal dreams, with the added side effect of altering one's sense of taste.



A new drug free, nicotine free system with no adverse side effects reports a 90% success rate. To learn more please visit http://www.stop-smoking-blog.com.

Herbal Pill to Stop Smoking

In this article I'm going to talk about an herbal pills to stop smoking. Quitting is arguably one of the hardest things anyone can go through. Your body is dependent upon nicotine to the point where it doesn't feel normal without it. In quitting smoking, you are removing a part of your body that it has become so accustomed to. You're body is going to dramatically let you know that something is wrong which makes the first week of quitting the hardest. Quit smoking aids are a great way to help you get through this extremely difficult time by drastically reducing these physical symptoms.



Most people can't get through the first few weeks of quitting. The 2 markers you want to focus on getting through is the 3rd day and the 3rd week. The cravings are going to be intense the first few days, and it will usually peak around the third day. Herbal pills are a great way to ease through these days as they help battle the negative withdrawal symptoms during this time.



There are a few herbal pills to stop smoking that are popular but one herbal formula that has been getting recent buzz in Nicocure because of its effectiveness. Its made up of Lobella Infalta, which is sometimes called Indian Tobacco. It will give your body similar effects of smoking while you are trying to actually quit smoking. When you stop taking nicotine all together with herbal pills, the cravings will be handled and you're body will be put in a relaxed state to combat the high stress it would usually feel during this time.



The success rate with herbal pills to stop smoking is very strong, as the majority of users quit for good. This is encouraging because for those who try to quit cold turkey, or through the use of nicotine patches or gums, the failure rate is very high. If you are determined, focused, and mentally prepared, herbal pills will be the best aid in successfully getting through the hardest first few weeks of quitting.

Do Stop Smoking Patches and Pills Really Work?

The million dollar question many people who want to quit smoking ask is, "Do pills and patches really work for quitting smoking?" Depending on whom you ask, some will say yes, while others will say no. The bottom line: It depends on the type of smoker and the type of addiction/habit they possess with their nicotine consumption.



First, the premise of both the patch and the pill are to supplement the individual with lower doses of nicotine and gradually wean them off the substance-nicotine.



Most Smokers are Not Physically Addicted to the Nicotine Alone:
The premise is all fine and dandy, but here in lies the rub...most smokers are not actually physically addicted to the nicotine alone, but also the mechanics of smoking. The actual act of smoking has become a way of life and a normal, daily functioning routine.



By taking a pill you may satisfy the craving for nicotine but you don't fulfill the desire to part-take in the act of smoking a cigarette. This is where the true dilemma for using nicotine replacements like patches and pills begins.



Many individuals who are trying to quit smoking, who opt to use the patch open up a fresh can of worms crawling with danger. This danger is actually increasing levels of nicotine consumption! You see, even though individuals using patches and pills are getting their dose/fill of nicotine, they are not getting their fill of lighting up, habitually smoking and/or socializing with the cigarette in hand.



Idle Hands are Evil Hands:
Have you ever heard of the expression, idle hands are evil hands? What this leads to is the need to actually smoke, not for the nicotine, rather for the fulfilling of the actions-the routine of manipulating a cigarette.



What happens is the potential for an individual to actually load their body up with excessive levels of nicotine.



Ironically, if they didn't possess a physical addiction to nicotine to begin with, the longer they engage in this behavior, the more likely they are going to develop the physical component for nicotine!



In theory, the pills and patches sound great. Plaster a patch on your body or pop a pill in your mouth and presto, the urge to smoke is gone! However, this is not usually how it works. The pills and patches will only be effective on their own if the individual has a nicotine addiction and not a cigarette smoking addiction per se.



Therefore, if they were a tobacco chewer only, it might be highly effective. Then again in this case, if the tobacco was chewed in a rewarding social light, then the pill and patch probably wouldn't work alone for them either!



Implement a Complementary Behavior to Compensate:
In order for the pill and patch to be close to effective, the individual needs to implement some kind of complimentary behavioral strategy to compensate for the actions of smoking. For example, say the individual opted to use the patch; they might be inclined to chew on carrot sticks, a tooth pick or something else every time they felt the need to light up. Their body is already getting the nicotine, but their mind isn't getting satisfied fulfilling the rote action of smoking.



Can pills and patches really work if you put all your ducks in order?



Yes, but it is extremely important for the mind to be retrained throughout the process of smoking cessation. You can try all of the magical pills and potions until the cows come home, but you need to develop a set of positive behaviors to replace the negative actions of smoking. Modifying your behaviors are the ducks which need to be lined up!



And being successful at modifying behaviors is what most smokers find the toughest and why many eventually seek professional help.

Stop Smoking With New Wonder Pill

Pills for stop-smoking treatment flood the news as millions of smokers who want to quit search for a cure.



There is a new wonder pill that the newspapers are getting very excited about. And the highly-acclaimed clinical research says it worked for about 50% of the cases. Great!



Hold on a minute...



That's about a 50% failure rate!



Would you really call something that has only a 50/50 chance of working a Wonder Drug, a Miracle Cure?



Yet not only do many hapless smokers fall for this hype, but all these Wonder Drugs have side effects.



A newly-emerging field rapidly gaining recognition is that of Energy Psychology. This involves removing the psychological reasons why someone smokes plus re-balancing the body for a long lasting result free from side-effects.



So where are the figures, I hear you say?



Most stop-smoking Energy Psychology therapists are self-employed private therapists who simply do not have the financial means to run clinical research to prove their success rate. Nor the huge PR budgets of the pharmaceutical giants.



Many successful natural stop-smoking practitioners report success rates with the 70-95% range for ex-smokers staying stopped a year after the treatment.



And you do not have to believe everything they say. Let us say for the sake of argument, that these stop smoking practitioners were lying through their teeth. Let us assume that their figures were only 50%. Guess what? That would make their treatment better than the Wonder Pill because it delivered the same result without the side-effects. Interesting thought indeed.



Another thing that should alert the reader of Wonder Pill PR is the absence of guarantees. Many natural stop-smoking practitioners are happy to back their treatment up by a guaranteed support or full money-back guarantee. Now where do you see the pharmaceuticals doing the same?



There are many ways to stop smoking. Hypnotherapy, Energy Psychology (EFT being the most popular), NLP, pills, patches, gum, and acupuncture, to name the most popular. Whichever method works for you or those you care about is great. And if maximum results can be achieved with minimum disruption to your body, all the better.



© 2006 Suzanne Zacharia

Pill to Stop Smoking - Real Advice to Help You Quit

In this article I'm going to explain a pill to stop smoking and why there are low success rates in more conventional stop smoking methods.



Only a small percentage of all smokers actually quit each year. This is a concerning statistic because about 70% of all smokers have stated that they would like to quit if they can. This means that there are a lot of smokers that are trapped by their addiction of nicotine. Their body's are so used to nicotine that they depend on it to feel normal. When they quit, their body goes under intense reactions to let you know it wants it. The first is and most obvious is the harsh cravings one feels when they stop smoking. Then there are secondary physical withdrawal symptoms which include depression, nervousness, cold symptoms, insomnia, digestive problems, and more. These usually happen all at once which is too much for people to handle at once which explains why the failure rate of quitting is so high.



The Inherent Flaws Of Many Stop-Smoking Methods



Its been a known fact that the best way to effectively stop smoking is by quitting cold turkey. As described above, the effects of quitting are pretty intense. Usually a bundle of different withdrawal symptoms will hit a person when they are trying to quit completely which is way to difficult for someone to handle. People will usually last a day or two until they cave in and have a smoke.



Although nicotine replacement therapy (such as gums, patches, and inhalers) are popular and the most conventional method, in actuality, they don't have very high success rates. This is because you're continuing to feed your body the very thing that its addicted to. Although most plans will have users progressively decrease their intake of nicotine, their body will continue to get cravings which makes the process long and difficult.



What's So Special About Natural Stop-Smoking Pills



Pills to stop smoking have gotten a lot of attention is because they will help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms and take away your cravings without the use of nicotine. This makes quitting much easier since you 1. completely stop the use of nicotine 2. the usual severe effects of doing such will be dramatically reduced. There are manufactured pills by certain drug companies (such as Chantix and Zyban) that will help to do this, but the problem with these is they have nasty side effects of their own. The most common are nausea and intense insomnia. I would suggest looking into herbal pills to stop smoking since they're all natural and won't cause any side effects. Its sort of like having the best aspects of all the different quit smoking aids. They'll put you in the most comfortable position to effectively quit smoking for the long term.

Pills To Stop Smoking

There are a number of ways to quit smoking. What I puzzle about is the use of pills. Let me explain. Most people can quit using an adaptation of Emotional Freedom Techniques. Others may choose a different natural method like the Alan Carr method or hypnotherapy. In my mind, when all else fails, then taking a pill with awful side effects is a really good bet. It must certainly be better than smoking. However, in my mind it is a last resort rather than the first port of call.



Many people report that some of the pills when taken in the morning makes them nauseous for one to three hours. This is even when taken with breakfast so it is not a matter of an empty stomach. The pill at night gives many people insomnia, weird and sometimes disturbing dreams, or a terrible thirst. Other symptoms reported include headaches and loss of libido. Other symptoms include nervousness and insomnia, as well as dry mouth. Quite honestly, if I was still a smoker, I would probably not tolerate the pills very well and wish for a gentler solution. It really must be hard for most people to go for something other than what their doctor recommends. I know it was for me.



As well as hitting the smoking at the root of the problem or at least giving the smoker stopping strategies for life, natural methods not only come without side effects but continue working even after the treatment has stopped. Any visit to a stop-smoking forum will reveal all the smokers who have stopped time and time again with the pills, patches and gum, only to start again. And most people who know smokers will notice them quit time and time again using measures that do not last.



In my stop-smoking practice, only natural methods are used. Having said that, I do encounter the odd client who needs much longer to quit than average and is not willing to attend sessions for longer than average. In this case, I recommend that they go to their doctor and get medication. There is a time and place for everything. And there is a right solution for everyone. If only every doctor were able to offer an excellent natural solution as the norm, with pills as a backup should the smoker have too many issues in the way and need longer than average to quit.

Best Stop Smoking Aids - Which is Best?

In this article I'm going to explain the best stop smoking aids. If you are looking for the best stop smoking aids, I can understand how confusing it may be. There are a ton of different approaches and a ton of different products for each approach that all claim that there product is the best. It took me many times for me to finally quit for good. I've been through a lot of different products and tried a lot of different aids first hand. Below is a description of the best popular stop smoking and its effectiveness in helping its users quit smoking for the long run.



Nicotine Patches and Gums



Nicotine patches and gums are the most popular type of approach that most people will opt to use. The companies that makes these are huge so they spend a lot of money advertising its use and effectiveness. Although patches and gums are so popular, there is actually really high failure rates with these aids. This is because when you continue to give your body nicotine, it makes the cessation process long and strenuous. The cravings will also be very hard to quit, which makes quitting for the long term difficult using nicotine replacement therapy. For these reasons, this many not be the best option you can take.



Quitting Cold Turkey



When you quit cold turkey, you are abruptly stopping the intake of nicotine. This is one of the most difficult things to do, but it also will have the best payout. This is because when you stop smoking and giving yourself nicotine, the cessation process will be much faster and your cravings will go away much sooner. The reason why this approach has seen such low success rates is because most people find it extremely difficult to handle the intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms. When your body is demanding a cigarette, and you have to deal with withdrawal symptoms such as cold symptoms, insomnia, cold sweats, depression, anxiety, and stomach pains at the same time, it makes quitting almost impossible.



Herbal Stop Smoking Pills



I've seen the most success with this method. Herbal stop smoking pills are the best stop smoking aids for a few reasons. You won't be using any nicotine, so this makes the quitting process much faster and more effective. Also, they are certain herbs that effective in handling your cravings and withdrawal symptoms. For example, Lobelia inflata will give your nervous system similar effects of smoking which will handle your cravings. There are other herbs that will dramatically decrease each of your withdrawal symptoms to relax your body and promote calmness. The reason why herbal stop smoking pills are so effective is because they contain all of these important herbs in one capsule. Since its all-natural, there are little to no side effects you'll have to worry about. This will put your body in the most comfortable position to successfully quit.

Aids to Smoking Cessation

Aids to Smoking Cessation



Is smoking a powerful addiction? Just ask anyone who has ever tried to quit. How can smoking cessation be easier? Well, smoking cessation can be a lot easier if you have these two basic fundamentals:- the necessary support and using a smoking cessation aid that is right for you.



Steps to Smoking Cessation



Decide to Quit
You may despise the cost, the smell and the hassle of smoking, not to mention the detrimental health risks, but in order for you to truly kick the smoking habit, you must make up your mind that it's time to stop. The first step in smoking cessation is for the smoker to decide to quit.



Seek Help and Expert Advice
You can ask your doctor to help motivate you, and also speak with your pharmacist. They will have pamphlets available on tons of stop smoking medication and tips, as well as a variety of stop smoking programs, self-help books, and even telephone hot lines. You can discuss which stop smoking aids would be most effective for you. Reach out to ex-smokers too and find out what worked for them.



Also, check with your insurance agent. The cost of your smoking cessation medication (e.g., a quit smoking pill), any counseling, as well as your stop smoking program may be covered by your insurance, alleviating any financial strain on your part.



Nicotine Gum and Patches
Try nicotine gum or nicotine patches as a smoking cessation aid. You chew nicotine gum when you have a craving for a cigarette. The gum contains nicotine. By chewing the gum, you gradually get your system used to living without nicotine. This eases your withdrawal symptoms and decreases your desire to smoke.



You wear a nicotine patch for 24 hours, and put a new one on every day. The patch puts nicotine into your system, and also allows your body to slowly adjust to life without nicotine. You use the most concentrated patches for the initial weeks and then gradually reduce the dosage over the following weeks. Both the nicotine gum and the nicotine patch are smoking cessation aids intended to be used for about three months.



There are other types of medical treatments for smoking cessation in the form of nicotine replacement therapy which comes in lozenges, inhalers and nasal sprays. Check with your doctor to see if nicotine replacement therapy should be in your stop smoking program.



Prescription Quit Smoking Pills
Prescription medication in a pill form can be prescribed by your physician to aid in your smoking cessation. Zyban, for example, is a popular smoking cessation prescription pill that does not contain nicotine. Studies have shown that Zyban has helped smokers quit more easily than without the drug.



Unlike other nicotine replacement therapies, Zyban does not inject more nicotine into your system. With nicotine patches or gum, you should cease smoking so that your body doesn't take in too much nicotine. But with the Zyban smoking cessation program, you can go on smoking at the start of taking medication. Set a 'final smoking date', and then continue with Zyban after this quitting date.



Treatment with Zyban has shown to reduce some of the nasty withdrawal side effects of quitting smoking such as irritability, frustration, anger, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness and depression. Zyban also reduced the craving for a cigarette and the desire to smoke.



Herbal Quit Smoking Alternatives
If you prefer to go the all natural way, then you can try a herbal-based stop smoking program. Herbal treatments, in the form of pills or patches, are a smoking cessation option without the use of nicotine or drugs. This all natural homeopathic formula removes your desire to smoke using natural herbs and extracts. If you do smoke while using the herbal treatment, it would leave a very unpleasant taste in your mouth. Taking the pleasure out of smoking makes it an easy habit to drop.



Find the Plan for You and Quit for Good
There are many smoking cessation options available today. The key is to find the ideal smoking cessation option that fits your personality and your lifestyle. Create a custom made stop smoking plan that is perfect for you, and you will be butting out for the last time and cashing in on a smoke free lifestyle.

Information on Natural Stop-Smoking Herbs

If you are considering quitting smoking, you know that you have a battle to fight. But what you might not know is that there are other weapons available for you to use other than nicotine gums, patches, and other pills. There are also natural stop-smoking herbs.



The trouble with using a product like a nicotine gum is that it still contains nicotine, which you are addicted to. Now, consider the herb Lobelia: lobelia contains a substance called lobeline, which is like nicotine, only it is not addictive. So, you can replace your nicotine craving with lobeline; then, whenever you feel healthier, you can simply stop taking lobeline. The lobelia plant has been used to make cigarettes, tea, gum, and other products, so you can choose what works best for you. A word of caution: lobelia is a strong herb, so be careful with how much you use. You may want to consult your doctor for help in determining how much you should use.



Another great alternative to regular cigarettes are ones made with Indian tobacco. This type of tobacco contains no nicotine, but still tastes like regular tobacco. Another bonus point with these cigarettes is that they don't contain any of the other poisonous by-products found in regular cigarettes. Indian tobacco cigarettes can be an easy way to get out of the smoking habit, as you will find that you won't crave them like your regular, nicotine-filled cigarettes.



Some herbs that are available don't specifically stop your craving for cigarettes, but they do help with side-effects and recovery from years of smoking. There are several herbs that help to clean your lungs of the build-up of tar and other substances that have accumulated there as a result of smoking. These herbs, which include coltsfoot, mullein and horehound, work by causing you to cough and clear your lungs. Mimosa, another herb, can be used in place of anti-depressants, as it helps with side-effects such as headaches and anxiety. You will find it a relief that you cannot develop an addiction to mimosa; other anti-depressants are often addictive.



Consider these natural alternatives if you are planning to give up your smoking habit. They will help you get healthier, faster.

Best Quit Smoking Aids - Real Advice to Help You Break Your Addiction

In this article I'm going to talk about the best quit smoking aids. If you are trying to quit, I can understand how hard it can be. It took me multiple attempts before I finally was able to quit for good. I've tried a lot of different stop smoking aids and know first hand which ones work and which ones you want to stay away from. Here is my experience with the best quit smoking aids.



Nicotine Replacement Therapy



Nicotine Replacement Therapy is when you use a nicotine delivery method to replace the nicotine you normally would get from smoking. You progressively decrease the amount of nicotine you take in until you are no longer dependent of it. Gums and patches are the most common form on Nicotine Replacement Therapy. They are also the most popular type of quit smoking aid. Although so many people use this aid, there are actually very low success rates for its users. This is because you are still feeding your body exactly what its trying to become independent of. Even when you give your body a small amount of nicotine, you're still teaching it to depend on it. This makes the cessation process a long and difficult process.



Cold Turkey



Cold Turkey is when you give up smoking all at once, without the use of any aids. This is arguably the most effective way to quit. This is because your completely stopping your nicotine intake. It's a bit harder at first, but you're craving will go away faster, and you'll be able to quit for the long run more effective. The big catch with this method is that its the most difficult to get through the first few weeks. Cravings will be extremely intense and the withdrawal symptoms get very difficult to deal with as well. These include cold sweats, goose bumps, cold symptoms, anxiety, nervousness, and depression just to name a few. Most people can't get through the first week since most of these symptoms occur simultaneously.



Stop Smoking Pills



Stop smoking pills are the best quit smoking aid that you can take. This is because its encompasses the best aspects of Nicotine Replacement Therapy and quitting cold turkey, without taking any of their negative aspects. It will help to address your withdrawal symptoms and cravings just as effective as patches and gums, without using Nicotine. Since you aren't taking anymore nicotine, its sort of like quitting cold turkey, except without dealing with the nasty side effects. I would suggest that you look into herbal quit smoking pills because since they are all-natural, they won't add any of their own side effects. This is important because there are some stop smoking pills that use certain drugs that give you its own set of harsh side effects such as extreme insomnia and nausea. This is why herbal stop smoking pills are the best quit smoking aid, they'll put you in the best position to quit smoking for good.

You Can Stop Smoking Without Weight Gain

Smoking is dangerous to our health. It can bring about lots of serious diseases to the body. However, many people still choose to continue smoking even though they are fully aware of the negative consequences of this habit. A prime reason is the fact that some smokers are afraid of gaining weight as soon as they get rid of their smoking habit.



Some smokers who quit don't gain weight



Contrary to popular misconceptions, you can stop smoking without weight gain. In fact, not everyone who decides to stop smoking will gain some weight. Based on studies, some people are prone to gain more weight than others. These include people who have smoked for as much as ten or twenty years and smokers who consume at least a pack of cigarette on a day to day basis.



Among the pertinent reasons why quitting your smoking habit can probably contribute to weight gain are as follows:



a. Nicotine keeps your body weight very low. If you stop smoking, your body will eventually return to its normal weight. The normal weight will refer to your original weight if you have not smoked at all.



b. Nicotine helps you rid your body's water a lot faster than people who don't smoke. If you stop smoking, you might gain some weight because of water retention. However, water retention because of smoking will only last for as much as two weeks after you quit.



c. The act of smoking burns some calories in your body. If you stop smoking, your body will use fewer calories than what it needed before.



Despite these conditions, many people can stop smoking without weight gain. You will just have to eat healthy foods and engage in more physical activities. Believe it or not, your determination to quit smoking and prevent weight gain can lead you to a healthier lifestyle.



What to do when you gain weight



You can stop smoking without weight gain if you do it earlier, preferably before smoking becomes an addiction or an inevitable part of your day-to-day living. Remember that the earlier you quit smoking and the lesser the amount of cigarettes that you consume everyday, the lesser will be your weight gain.



On the average, people who gain weight after they quit smoking can get as much as ten pounds of extra fat added to their bodies. In cases where weight gain has occurred, here are some tips that you should remember.



a. Never panic. Gaining eight to ten pounds after smoking is normal. Unfortunately, you are not one of those lucky few who can stop smoking without weight gain. However, keep in mind that you are bound to lose that weight as soon as your body's metabolism adjusts to the absence of nicotine in your body.



b. Eat right. Never let yourself go hungry. If you are not among the lucky quitters who can stop smoking without weight gain, you have to eat frequently, but in small amounts. This method of eating will help you maintain a high energy level. Also, avoid eating foods that are rich in calories. Try to eat those that are rich in fiber and nutrients. These include fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.



c. Avoid drinking beverages with alcoholic content. People can stop smoking without weight gain if they avoid indulging in activities that can bring high doses of calories to their body. Drinking alcohol is one of these activities.

Stop Smoking Medications

In this day and age, we all want a cure-all pill that will solve all of our woes. We want a stop smoking pill, a diet pill, a little blue sex pill, a heartburn pill an anti-stress pill and an anti-depression pill. Heck if you could make one pill that did all that, you would make Bill Gates look like a pauper! But what stop smoking medications are there available to us?



For the purposes of this article, I am only going to look at the stop smoking medications that have some merit about them and have actually been tested. The herbal, shaman, snake oil remedies and secret formulas are not getting a mention!



The first of the stop smoking medications I want to mention is the nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) approach to quitting smoking. This comes in main forms of 24-hour patch, 16-hour patch, chewing gum, lozenge, microtab, inhalator (a plastic nicotine only 'cigarette'), or nasal spray. The idea is to use this source of nicotine as a replacement to keep your cravings for tobacco under control. The process does not wean smokers from nicotine (which in my opinion, is the only reason why people smoke).



Of the stop smoking medications I am reviewing, this has the least side effects and normally only leaves an unpleasant taste or sensation with the smoker. The nicotine is absorbed through the mucosal linings of the mouth and nose and can cause irritation because these parts of the body are not used to nicotine.



NRT is said to double the rate of success in quitting smoking when compared to people quitting using will power or going cold turkey. That success rate is between 3% and 5% so NRT has a long term success rate of around 6-10%. Not great odds! Of the stop smoking medications I am looking at here, this is by far the weakest medication.



The second of the stop smoking medications I want to mention is zyban, which is often known as wellbutrin or bupropion hydrochloride. Zyban was initially developed as an anti-depressant (which it is still used as) but during clinical trials, researchers found that smokers stopped without any intervention at a statistically improbable rate. In other words, one of the side effects of taking zyban was an increased likelihood of quitting smoking.



Zyban is an incredibly popular drug with over 21 million prescriptions in the US in 2006. The beneficial side effect of zyban helping people quit smoking is countered by the many negative side effects. In larger doses, zyban can cause seizures and there is little tolerance for alcohol too.



Because zyban interacts with a subjects brain chemistry, there is a need for doctors to assess a patients mental health very carefully before prescribing. There are also implications when prescribed with high blood pressure (prevalent in smokers!) and people with heart problems (again, prevalent in smokers!). Zyban was initially seen as the potential 'cure-all' pill but in truth, this is not the case.



Studies have shown zyban is about 15% effect when used in combination with NRT and stop smoking support groups.



Of the three stop smoking medications I am looking at, Chantix is the final and most promising of the three. Chantix is the trade name for varenicline which is also traded as Champix in the UK. But just because is is a promising stop smoking medication, it does not mean it is 'the cure-all'.



Again, like zyban, chantix interferes with the brain chemistry of a smoker, although the exact mechanism as to how this happens is not known. It is thought the chantix blocks off the receptors in the brain where nicotine normally attaches. As a result, the normal smoke and reward cycle associated with smoking doesn't work because the nicotine doesn't get a chance to do what it normally does. As a result, the smoker finds that smoking does not have the benefits it once did so they are inclined to stop.



Pfizer, the manufacturer claims a 44% success rate but other studies have shown a much lower success rate in the order of 20%.



Of all the stop smoking medications out there, chantix is probably the most effective but all of these approaches lack one common requirement. When you quit smoking, no matter which of the stop smoking medications you use, if any, you need to get your mental attitude to smoking and tobacco sorted out. It is possible to stop smoking without any of the stop smoking medications available, as many millions of people do every year - why not try and be one of them.



As ever, if you want to stop smoking, never stop trying. Failing to achieve something only really happens when you stop trying to achieve it.

Zero Nicotine Review - Does This Quit Smoking Product Really Work

It's not easy if you are a smoker trying to find the best quit smoking product to help you break your habit. That was the problem I had, then I came across Zero Nicotine.



I tried the Zero Nicotine Patch in preference to the Zero Nicotine Pills, I'm just to forgetful to remember to take pills every day when the patch lasts for 3 days. Anyway what I liked about the Zero Nicotine patch is as you wear it the nicotine content in your body declines day by day. The contents of the patch are all herbal extracts and ingredients, including Gotu Kala, Hops, Skullcap, Oat, Peppermint, Ginger root, Gentian, Myrrh, Safflower, Eucalyptus, Slippery Elm, Liquorice root, Alfalfa, Passion Flower, Sarsaparilla, Bayberry, and Echinacea Powder. Those ingredients don't mean much to me but I do know that the Chinese have been using natural herbal medicine for thousands of years. I can't deny the fact that Zero Nicotine reduced my smoking withdrawal symptoms quit a bit and made it a lot easier for me to resist the temptation to light up.



It's also true that Zero Nicotine patches do not contain any nicotine but the ingredients do mimic the nicotine that drives your cravings, consequently the nicotine in your body goes down and so your need for a smoke becomes less and less. The other thing that I noticed was that I felt a lot calmer, when in the past I had tried to quit smoking I was impossible to live with, I drove my family nuts, they virtually told me to start smoking again just for some peace. My other previous attempts to quit also had me gaining weight but with Zero Nicotine this did not seem to be a problem, not quite sure why, maybe one of the herbs is an appetite suppressant.



Some friends have asked me why I chose Zero Nicotine and didn't go to my doctor and get one of the stop smoking drug based medications. Well I am very nervous about drugs after I had a sever allergic reaction to a prescribed medication a couple of years back, I have never been so sick, now I will only take drugs when I'm convinced there is no alternative. I realise there are other natural quit smoking alternatives to Zero Nicotine and I'm not saying they don't work, I haven't tried them. I just started searching the web for quit smoking products and Zero Nicotine was the first one I came across, it sounded ok, so I tried it, is it the best natural herb based product, I really don't know.



One thing I will stress is Zero Nicotine or any other quit smoking remedy will have trouble helping you quit if you are not really committed to becoming a non smoker. The likes of Zero Nicotine are only there to help you achieve the end result, it's an aid to support your own commitment, not a stand-alone guarantee to quit smoking. If you basically don't want to quit smoking and are only using the patches to appease your other half or your doctor, you will surely fail.



I personally had a health scare that I know was the direct result of smoking, for me it was an easy decision to make, quit smoking or end up very sick or maybe even dead. I would have been a lot smarter if I had made the decision myself years ago. Even with the help of Zero Nicotine I'm not completely there yet, I still have the occasional smoke (very occasional) which frustrates me. I recently found another herbal quit smoking product called Smoke Deter, the reviews I read seem to claim it's better than Zero Nicotine, so I am going to give it a try to see if I can get rid of the last annoying cravings for that occasional cigarette.



Don't get me wrong I'm not saying Zero Nicotine doesn't work, it helped me a lot, I just want to see if another product can complete the job.

Non-Nicotine Pill - Real Advice to Help Quit Smoking For Good

In this article I'm going to talk about a few non-nicotine pills. The physical withdrawal symptoms of quitting are extremely tough to get through, non-nicotine pills are a great option because they'll help your body to combat these symptoms, without giving it nicotine (the very thing your trying to break free of).



Chantix



Chantix is a non-nicotine cessation pill that has received a lot of attention as of late. It activates the same receptors to release dopamine (dopamine gives you the feeling of pleasure) in your body as nicotine would. It does this without actually using nicotine which helps you to get through smoking more effectively.



The thing that sort of freaked me out with Chantix was the nasty side effects of using the drug. The effects include nausea (30% of experience this), stomach pain, a loss of energy, increased appetite, and insomnia. The big reason why I was freaked out was its recent linkage to suicide. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated in February of 2008 that "Health care professionals, patients, patient's families, and caregivers should be alert and monitor for changes in mood and behavior in patients treated with Chantix. Symptoms may include anxiety, nervousness, tensions, depressed mood, unusual behavior and thinking about or attempting suicide."



Zyban



Zyban works very similarly to the Chantix non-nicotine pill, except its made up of different components. It also boosts the body's levels of dopamine. Yet like Chantix, its brings with it negative side effects. The side effects include a change in appetite, agitation, nervousness, and insomnia. A friend of mine took Zyban and was unable to sleep for 5 days straight.



The Problem



The medicine listed above can help your body to feel the same sorts of effects of smoking to help you quit, but they bring with it their own negative side effects which ironically makes it hard to go through.



I highly recommend using all-natural non-nicotine pills because they'll accomplish the same sort of effects your looking for (calming your body, lessening the cravings, dealing with body's stress) without nicotine. The reason I recommend using herbal non-nicotine pills is because since they are made up of natural ingredients, you won't experience the horrible side effects that Chantix or Zyban will give you. You'll be able to combat the withdrawal symptoms of quitting, without adding new side effects during the challenging first few weeks.