Nicotine is commonly found in tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, and kretek. This substance has an opiate effect and is the main reason smokers find it difficult to stop smoking.
Nicotine is a natural alkaloid compound contained in several types of plants. However, very high concentrations of nicotine can be found in tobacco, the plant that is used as the basis for making cigarettes.
When it enters the body, nicotine will work as a mild stimulant that can stimulate the brain to release the hormone dopamine, a hormone that makes a person feel more relaxed for a while.
However, nicotine is also addictive so it can cause dependence effects. This addictive nature causes smokers to often find it difficult to stop smoking.
Reasons Nicotine Is Dangerous for Health
Nicotine can cause side effects from the first time it enters the body. These compounds will flow through the bloodstream in a very fast time. In fact, nicotine can reach the brain in just 10 seconds.
In the long term, nicotine can cause a person to become addicted and experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using it.
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms are characterized by headaches, coughs, difficulty sleeping, frequent hunger, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and even stress. In addition to causing addiction, nicotine can also cause various bad effects on health, including:
- Irritation in the mouth and throat
- Decreased appetite
- Digestive disorders, such as diarrhea
- Increased pulse and blood pressure
- premature aging
- Infertility
Not only that, nicotine is also one of the main causes of increased risk of miscarriage and complications during pregnancy, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, cancer, and even death.
How to Overcome Nicotine Addiction
The main step to overcome nicotine addiction and prevent various health problems that can be caused is to stop smoking or stop using other nicotine products.
If you are a smoker and want to quit this bad habit, try to first make up your mind and find out what smoking cessation goals you want to achieve, for example, so that the body avoids various diseases caused by the effects of nicotine.
After that, start to avoid smoking triggers, such as drinking coffee or alcohol. You should also tell your family and loved ones who can support you in getting rid of nicotine addiction.
When the urge to smoke reappears, try to hold it in and shift your focus to other things, such as doing a favorite hobby or exercising, from walking, jogging, to meditation.
You are also advised to eat healthy foods, such as vegetables and fruits, which are known to reduce the desire to return to using nicotine products.
In addition to changing your lifestyle to be healthier, you can also seek medical help by consulting a doctor. Doctors can prescribe medications or suggest therapies, such as nicotine replacement therapy or behavioral therapy, to treat nicotine addiction.
Overcoming nicotine addiction is not easy, especially if you have been using it for a long time. However, with patience and determination, getting out of nicotine addiction is not impossible.
If you still find it difficult to get out of the nicotine trap even though you have done the various ways above, don't hesitate to consult a doctor for advice and treatment to stop nicotine addiction that is right and according to your condition.
