Why Smoking Is Addictive

Why Smoking Is Addictive Dr. Travis Stork: We actually have Dr. Richard Hurt. He is the director of the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center. But more importantly, he is also an ex-smoker. Why is it so addictive? Dr. Richard Hurt: Well first of all, the cigarette is the most efficient delivery form for nicotine that exists. It gets to the brain so quickly. It takes five heart beats to go from the tip of your finger to your brain so it produces a spike of nicotine that’s extraordinary high. So the delivery devices itself is why it is so addicting and it changes the brain. It changes the neuroreceptors in the brain. It up regulates them so that if Bill’s brother, who is now a nonsmoker and Bill is smoker, we did a brain biopsy of the two of them. Bill would have billions more of these receptors or as being shown on the screen than he does. So it’s difficult because it’s biological change. Dr. Travis Stork: But you know the beauty of this is you tried once maybe you failed you’ve tried twice, maybe you failed but tomorrow I believe in my heart, I believe that is the day you going to quit because it’s all about a multi faceted approach. Dr. Richard Hurt That’s correct. We have medications that help, infact Bills on two of them now that act on those brain receptors. We know that counseling also would helps. So those two things combined together are very powerful in helping people to stop smoking. Dr. Travis Stork: And there is also some other things that, we’ve design a basket for you and the reason for this is, every time you have an urge, you need to do something right?. You can just, so we’ve actually gotten this basket a bunch of different things. We’ve got some Nicorette. We’ve as you can see nicotine lozenges, there’s pumpkin seeds. You like tootsie roll pops? Bill: I love them. Dr. Travis Stork: So lots of things in that basket that you can do with your time other than smoking. But the most important thing is this. I know this from what I’ve heard from your siblings, reading the letter and talking to your family. Your family is so much more important to you than these cigarettes. Aren’t they? Bill: Yes absolutely. Excuse me absolutely. They really are. They’re everything. Dr. Travis Stork: Tomorrow, is tomorrow going to be the last day? Bill: Tomorrow’s going to be the last day. Dr. Travis Stork: Everyone, I believe. Can we follow? Follow alone? Bill: Absolutely, absolutely. Dr. Travis Stork: Thank you all so much for sharing you story with us and we’re actually happy to be associated with you. You are an extraordinary man. Dr. Hurt, Thank you so much for your advice and your help.