Alternative Therapies That Help You Quit Smoking

(Music playing) Female: Even if you are not keen on the idea of using nicotine replacement therapy, there are plenty of treatment options that can help you stop smoking once and for all. Dr. Joshua Fink: Quitting smoking maybe one of the most important health decisions you will ever make, but it can be a difficult process. While many smokers turn to nicotine replacement therapy, like the gum or the patch, there are number of other unique options available. One smoking cessation option is a prescription medication that has been called the Non-Nicotine Pill. This medication, bupropion hydrochloride is trademarked of the name Zyban. Bupropion is not new, in fact it also been sold as an antidepressant medication under the name Wellbutrin since 1985. In smokers, Zyban boost the levels of the chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine, a process that also occurs when you light a cigarette. The resulting effect is a sense of energy and well being that is similar to smoking a cigarette. Zyban is usually taken twice a day for up to 12 weeks. Because it takes a week for Zyban to become fully effective, it is recommended that the smoker begin taking into medication a week before quitting. It is important that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, people with a history of eating disorders, people taking MAO medications, and those who have seizures all avoid taking Zyban. Another non-nicotine prescription is called verenicline, which is sold under the brand name Chantix. Chantix is usually taken twice a day after reading. When you smoke a cigarette, the nicotine in the product enters your brain binding to the neurotransmitter receptors. Chantix works by attaching to these receptors instead, creating a similar feeling of euphoria. It is important that pregnant and nursing women, as well as people with Kenny disease do not take Chantix. Another therapy that some ex-smokers swear by is hypnosis. Hypnosis is a state of focused concentration induced by a skilled practitioner. Once in the hypnotic state, you \maybe open to more to suggestions from the hypnotist, and therefore be better able to recognize smoking’s harmful effects. Eventually, a patient may learn to self-hypnotize reinforcing these key messages. Those who experience the best results with this therapy use it in conjunction with other quitting aids. Some smokers also find the ancient Chinese therapy of acupuncture to be helpful in the quitting process. During this procedure, needles are placed to keys points in the body, thus correcting an imbalance flow of chi or energy. Acupuncturist believe that once chi is corrected, health can be restored. Of course, some people who decide to quit smoking do so cold turkey. This process involves completely giving up cigarettes with no aid for medication or therapy. While the cold turkey method works for a small percentage, many people find their physical addiction to nicotine, and their psychological addiction to smoking to be difficult to control without some initial help. Quitting smoking can be tough, but it is not impossible. Remember as you quit, that it is important to your doctor before using any prescription medications, or alternative therapies. Female: Want to learn more? Check out other videos and sources on this site for more information. (Music playing)