Nicotine gum is a type of chewing gum that delivers nicotine to the body. It is designed to help people quit smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke. With nicotine gum, the nicotine is absorbed through the lining of the mouth and into the bloodstream. This article will explain how nicotine gum works and its benefits.
What is Nicotine?
Nicotine is a chemical found in tobacco plants. It is highly addictive and is one of the main reasons people find it difficult to quit smoking. When you smoke, nicotine is absorbed into your bloodstream through the lungs. It then travels to your brain and stimulates the release of dopamine. This is what causes the feeling of pleasure that smokers experience.
How Does Nicotine Gum Work?
Nicotine gum works by delivering nicotine to the body through the lining of the mouth. When you chew the gum, nicotine is released and absorbed through the lining of the mouth and into the bloodstream. This provides a similar feeling to smoking, without the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes.
Nicotine gum comes in different strengths, depending on how much nicotine is in each piece. The idea is to gradually reduce the strength of the gum over time, until you no longer need it. This is known as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and is a proven method for helping people quit smoking.
Benefits of Nicotine Gum
There are several benefits of using nicotine gum to quit smoking:
- Reduces cravings: Nicotine gum helps to reduce cravings for cigarettes, making it easier to quit smoking.
- Eases withdrawal symptoms: Many people experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit smoking. Nicotine gum can help to ease these symptoms by providing a source of nicotine.
- No harmful chemicals: Nicotine gum does not contain the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, making it a safer alternative.
- Gradual reduction: Nicotine gum allows you to gradually reduce your intake of nicotine, making it easier to quit smoking in the long term.
How to Use Nicotine Gum
Using nicotine gum is simple:
- Choose the right strength: Nicotine gum comes in different strengths. Choose the strength that is right for you.
- Chew the gum: Chew the gum slowly until you feel a tingling sensation in your mouth.
- Rest the gum: Rest the gum between your cheek and gum until the tingling sensation disappears. This helps the nicotine to be absorbed through the lining of the mouth.
- Repeat: Repeat the process for up to 30 minutes, or until the gum loses its flavor.
It is important to follow the instructions carefully when using nicotine gum. Do not chew too much gum, as this can cause side effects such as nausea and dizziness.
Conclusion
Nicotine gum is an effective way to quit smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke. It works by delivering nicotine to the body through the lining of the mouth. Nicotine gum has several benefits, including reducing cravings and easing withdrawal symptoms. It is important to follow the instructions carefully when using nicotine gum, and to gradually reduce your intake of nicotine over time.