Three Major Ways Nicotine Withdrawal Can Affect the Body

Three major effects nicotine withdrawal can have on the body
 
1. Weight gain

Some smokers find themselves craving food and gaining weight after suddenly quitting smoking.

Explanation: Substances such as nicotine can suppress the brain’s hunger center. After quitting smoking, appetite may increase significantly.

2. Coughing and chest tightness

Some smokers experience chest tightness, coughing, and similar symptoms after suddenly quitting. These are normal reactions and usually resolve on their own.

Explanation: Harmful substances in cigarettes have a major impact on the lungs, and this is part of the lungs’ adjustment process.

3. Memory lapses

Some smokers may experience forgetfulness, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, and body tremors after quitting smoking.

Explanation: Long-term smoking stimulates the central nervous system and causes excitement. After quitting, that stimulation disappears, which can leave the brain with a sense of letdown.

No one can force you to quit smoking—you have to do it yourself. Quitting requires not only determination, but also the right approach.

After quitting, throat discomfort can be relieved by drinking more milk, honey water, or sucking on mint candies, all of which may help ease symptoms.

Every medicine has potential side effects, so if any discomfort occurs during smoking cessation, it is best to avoid medication when possible. People often say dietary therapy is better than drug therapy, so let’s take a look at what foods and drinks may be suitable for people quitting smoking.

To help with dry throat, coughing, and phlegm, you can drink dandelion and rose tea.

Brew dandelion and rose in appropriate proportions with boiling water, 1–2 times a day. In traditional use, dandelion is believed to clear heat, detoxify, reduce swelling, and promote urination. Its diuretic effect may help the body eliminate harmful substances through urine. In addition, dandelion is also thought to help reduce internal heat and inflammation, and may improve bad breath, dry mouth, bitter taste, and the sensation of something stuck in the throat caused by smoking. Rose is pungent and slightly warm in nature. It is traditionally used to regulate qi, relieve emotional stagnation, harmonize the middle, and promote blood circulation. Adding rose can balance the cool nature of dandelion and also help regulate mood, which may help relieve the irritability associated with quitting smoking.

To help with insomnia, restlessness, and excessive dreaming, you can drink Acanthopanax, poria, and ginseng tea.

Ingredients for this tea: Acanthopanax leaves (2g), sour jujube seed (2g), poria (1g), red dates (1g), ginseng (0.5g), and lily bulb (1g).

Effects: Calms the mind, relieves fatigue, eases emotional distress, and supports sleep.

The Compendium of Materia Medica records that “Acanthopanax is non-toxic, can dispel wind-dampness, strengthen muscles and bones, regulate qi, resolve phlegm, replenish essence and marrow; long-term use may promote longevity,” and highly praises it with the saying, “Better a handful of Acanthopanax than carts full of gold and jade.”

Sour jujube seed is believed to nourish heart yin, benefit liver blood, calm the mind, and reduce sweating. Clinically, it has been considered effective for treating irritability, insomnia, palpitations, and excessive dreaming.

The Shennong Materia Medica Classic records that ginseng can “strengthen the body and improve intellect, brighten the eyes, calm the spirit, stop palpitations, and with long-term use promote longevity.”

Poria acid is a triterpenoid compound unique to poria and has a variety of pharmacological activities, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, blood sugar-lowering, sedative, and sleep-supporting effects.

In the end, you can only rely on yourself. Quitting smoking is indeed difficult, but where there is determination, nothing is impossible. Whatever you encounter during the process, don’t panic. Keep going, and you’ll meet a better version of yourself.