There's no doubt that an addiction to nicotine is a serious one indeed. Numerous studies have demonstrated that it is certainly one of the most addictive substances known today. Furthermore, most people will become dependent to it almost right after they start smoking regularly. What happens when you smoke a cigarette: an instant rush of nicotine boosts your body. In other words, there is a spike in your nicotine levels that will slowly dissipate afterwards. Next, you will crave another spike when the nicotine levels in your body will drop below a certain point and that's when your craving will convert in the form of another cigarette.
The reason why any attempt to quit smoking can be so difficult is because, as a smoker, part of your body's physical addiction to nicotine has to do with the relief found in these "spikes or hits". Willpower will be your most important ally if you attempt to quit smoking. In fact, the chances that you will succeed in staying smoke free without the use of willpower are practically non-existent. However, in some cases, your can use a medical aid to support your willpower. The most well-known and popular aids to quitting smoking are the ones that regulate and supply nicotine in your bloodstream.
One of those popular choices is nicotine gum. This gum, that resembles ordinary chewing gum, contains nicotine. Because nicotine gum can replicate nicotine spikes in your bloodstream without the need for cigarettes, it is extremely effective. With the nicotine patch - the second most popular nicotine supplier - quitting smoking for some people is more difficult because the nicotine patch supplies a steady amount of nicotine into their bloodstream. In other words, the patch doesn't create any spike, or "hit". For this reason, some people still find themselves craving cigarettes even when they're using the patch. Even though the body is receiving nicotine, it desires the hit that the cigarette provides.
The difference with nicotine gum is that you can try to replicate this spike without smoking a cigarette. Contrary to normal gum, the nicotine gum is not chewed. Rather, you hold it in your mouth for long periods of time without chewing it. Then, you can give it a few chews when you want a release of nicotine. The same way you would take a drag on a cigarette for a quick nicotine hit. Here's a typical guideline for nicotine gum: first, chew it 3-4 times until you feel a tingling sensation.
Next, flatten it and place it between your cheek and gum. You can repeat the brief chewing process at intervals, as you feel necessary. You should never, under no circumstances, chew on nicotine gum like your would for ordinary gum. There is a simple reason for that and that is because too much nicotine will be released into your bloodstream.
You can get two strengths of Nicotine Gum: 2mg and 4mg strengths (if you smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day, the 4mg gum is recommended). It is also recommended that you use the gum for a period of up to three months every 1-2 hours throughout the day. One drawback of nicotine gum is that you can't drink anything for 15 minutes before and during chewing except water. As you can imagine, nicotine gum wouldn't be very helpful at a bar, where many ex-smokers certainly need the most help. Nicotine gum can be a very effective tool despite of this and, when combined with your willpower, can help you tremendously in your attempt to quit smoking.
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