Nicotine gum has remained one of the most commonly used methods and substances that a person who is willing to quit or diminish his or her smoking habit can use. While this chewing gum might seem like a perfect solution, there are many things one must learn about nicotine in nicotine chewing gum, how the gum works, how efficiently it helps the user quit and possible side effects of the nicotine in Nicotine gum. This informative blog post will reveal what nicotine gum is really like, what it is made of, what it can do for you and what you should know.
Introduction
Smoking cessation is one of the most difficult things a person can accomplish. For most, the most difficult hurdle is the withdrawal symptoms that practically need to fight the urge of taking nicotine; a substance that produces pleasure and relaxation through interaction with receptors in the brain. Nicotine gum is one of the nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products available to smokers and has a lowered, measured nicotine level to assist smokers in reducing their urge to take a puff off their cigarettes or cigars but without the toxic content of tobacco smoke.
But what is this nicotine gum and how does it work? There are some points which are important to know when thinking about taking nicotine gum as part of the smoking cessation plan. In this blog, I will discuss the effects of nicotine gum from general to specific and provide you with the information you need to decide whether you should use nicotine gum and not.
What is Nicotine Gum?
Nicotine gum is a gum containing nicotine which dissolves as you chew it and releases nicotine in the process. This nicotine is absorbed through the tissues in your mouth that give out a steady dose of nicotine to help you out during the withdrawal stage and break from smoking.
Nicotine gum is available in different brands, shapes and sizes: There are different types of nicotine gum that are available in the market, and it comes in different strengths depending on the amount of the nicotine that the patient used to take; for the gum containing nicotine the common strengths are the 2mg and 4mg gum. For example, power smokers who take over twenty cigarettes per day may be encouraged to use the 4mg gum.
Nicotine gum is an intermediate therapy meant to assist a person quit smoking and cut down on nicotine dependence step by step. It is prescribed often as one of the many integrated smoking withdrawal strategies that could involve medical advice, counseling, or therapy, and behavior alteration programs.
How Does Nicotine Gum Work?
It gives the users the nicotine needed by their body but without the negative substances present in the smoke from cigarettes. When you are chewing the gum, then nicotine goes to the bloodstream through the lining of the mouth. This gives a gradual amount of nicotine that assists in reducing withdrawal symptoms which are usually severe in the first week of quitting smoking.
This is for the purpose of abating the nicotine your body is accustomed to fetching from cigarettes without having to consume tar, carbon monoxide and other toxic products in the process. This way you can keep cutting down on the nicotine gum that you are using and thus help your body get used to the lower amount of nicotine until it no longer requires it.
The Science Behind Nicotine in Nicotine Gum
Nicotine Absorption
Nicotine gum is basically an nicotine deposit, which releases the nicotine through the ending in the mouth. This is not the same as the manner in which nicotine diffuses into the bloodstream when one takes a cigarette; the nicotine here is in the form of vapor which is inhaled straight into the lungs and absorbed immediately. Nicotine gum however provides nicotine slowly over a longer period of time hence easing the strength of cravings without the rush associated with smoking.
Ingredients of Nicotine Gum
However, nicotine gum is not solely made up of nicotine, it also has a number of other ingredients which give the gum its characteristic texture and flavor as well as a very long shelf life. Common ingredients include:
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Chewing Gum Base: This is what contributes to the elasticity of the gum and making it chewable.
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Sweeteners: To improve the taste, some gums contain chemical sweeteners that are termed as artificial sweeteners.
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Flavorings: Many of these flavors include mint, fruit and cinnamon which helps to mask the bitterness of nicotine.
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Buffering Agents: These serve to enhance penetration of nicotine in the mouth cavity.
Benefits of Nicotine Gum
Curbing Nicotine Cravings
Nicotine gum enables you to get a measured amount of nicotine that will help you to quit smoking without having to take a cigarette. For many people this can be a saviour in the first few days/weeks of quitting when the desire and withdrawals are most powerful.
Assisting with Smoking Cessation
Scientific research has confirmed that with the use of nicotine gum, one is twice as likely to quit as in going ‘cold turkey.’ The controlled nicotine level relieves some of the withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety, and difficulty in focusing, therefore, being less tempted to light a cigarette.
How to Use Nicotine Gum Effectively
Chew-and-Park Method
When taking nicotine gum ensure that you follow the chew-and-park method. The method of taking gum is by chewing the gum slowly till you start to feel the taste of peppery or that of tingly then dropping the gum in between the cheek and gums. This makes it effective for the nicotine to be absorbed in the system of a human being. When the tingling sensation subsides, use the tongue to chew the gum again and do this over and over again. This should be done repeatedly and frequently, preferably each time before the gum is disposed of in about 30 minutes.
Dosage Recommendations
The dosage varies with the amount of smoking that is done in that absorbing more smoke necessitates the need for a higher dose. As for smokers who take more than 20 cigarettes per day, a 4 mg piece of gum shall be suggested. It’s the same case with lighter smokers, since a 2mg gum will normally do the trick. Do not exceed the recommended servings of gum a day that your doctor may recommend as well as the moments when you should cut down on gum usage.
Usage Frequency
During the initial steps of de-addiction process, it is recommended that a person chew one piece of nicotine gum every one to two hours. You should be able to gradually reduce the frequency having realized that you are the one behind the cravings you suffer from.
Potential Side Effects of Nicotine Gum
Mouth and Jaw Issues
Long-term use of nicotine gum has some side effects such as jaw soreness, mouth ulcer or poor dental health. Use of the gum should however be moderated to avoid the development of these problems and you should also use other nicotine replacement products interchangeably with the gum.
Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Some users complained that they felt indigestion, nausea or hiccups after taking nicotine gum, this is because those who swallow too much saliva when chewing the gum. If these problems are experienced, one should try to chew with less vigour and place the gum at the cheek.
Nicotine Dependence
The weakness that can be experienced from using this remedy is the usage of nicotine gum to get nicotine. Even though it is a healthier option to smoking, the aim is to progressively reduce the amount of gum that contains nicotine and totally quit the usage.
Who Should Avoid Nicotine Gum?
Pregnant Women
Nicotine in any form from the cigarette with the stick and up to the gum pose a serious danger to the fetal development. In pregnant women, only cigarette smoking you should avoid the use of nicotine gum and seek the assistance of your doctor for safer smoking cessation products.
People with Heart Conditions
Nicotine has stimulatory effects; it raises the resting heart rate and blood pressure; thus people with cardiac conditions should use nicotine gum subject to medical advice.
The Role of Nicotine in Addiction
How Nicotine Affects the Brain
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that stimulates the brain’s nicotine receptors that, in turn, triggers the release of dopamine resulting in pleasure as well as relaxation. This is what makes nicotine to be addictive since the brain becomes in a position of seeking the feeling that is associated with the pleasant feeling.
Dependency and Withdrawal
The brain is also deprived of nicotine when one quits and this results in effects such as anxiety, irritability and difficulty in concentration. These symptoms can be reduced with the help of nicotine gum which facilitates the process of quitting smoking by giving a regulated amount of nicotine.
Is Nicotine Gum a Long-Term Solution?
Like many other brands of medications, nicotine gum should not be used for more than 12 weeks. Though it is an effective tool in quitting the habit of smoking, it MUST be reduced slowly from the person and eliminated completely. Nicotine gum has some side effects and a drawback that is the continued dependence on nicotine which is not favorable when one is quitting cigarettes.
Nicotine Gum vs. Other Nicotine Replacement Therapies
Patches
Nicotine patches work through the skin and release nicotine to the user’s bloodstream at a slow rate. That is, while using patches does not give the same relief in terms of cravings as using gum, they can be useful for those who would rather not chew gum very often.
Lozenges
Nicotine lozenges are small pieces which dissolve in your mouth and flow nicotine into your body without harsh rush, like nicotine gum. It is good for those people who prefer not chewing gum, but they would love to have some sort of nicotine products to chew.
Inhalers
Nicotine inhalers imitates smoking in a way in which people put their hand to their mouth this may help some people. But they are available only by prescription and can actually be pricier than gum or lozenges.
FAQs About Nicotine Gum
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How long should I use nicotine gum?
The majority of users employ nicotine gum for 8-12 weeks, and for the subsequent periods, the use is tapered off. -
Can I use nicotine gum with other NRT products?
Yes, but doctors advice should always be sought in order for one to know the right one to mix with the other. -
Is nicotine gum safe for long-term use?
Unlike smoking, the nicotine gum poses some health risks but for those interested in a long-term nicotine cessation product it was never designed for that use. The aim is then to wean off the nicotine slowly until the chewing of the gum is eliminated completely.
Conclusion
Chewing gum containing nicotine is a great asset in the efforts to quit smoking because it provides the smoker with a controlled amount of nicotine for overcoming such cravings as mouth fixation and hand to mouth movements. Nicotine gum is one form of cessation aid that can work for you but it should be used properly with knowledge of the possible side effects as well as the long term consequences of use. When it comes to nicotine gum, it is an actually a temporary measure designed to help individuals to get accustomed to the idea of going nicotine free.
When you know the mechanism of action of nicotine gum, its advantages and disadvantrages, you’ll be able to decide whether this type of NRT is for you. As with any other nicotine cessation aid, it is always wise to consult a doctor before undertaking any NRT especially if one is suffering from some complications.
Summary
Nicotine gum is one of the most popular choices of nicotine replacement therapies with the aim of assisting smokers to quit smoking by administrations of nicotine in controlled amounts. The Gum achieves its purpose from the fact that it releases nicotine through the lining of the mouth to help out in withdrawal symptoms as well as the cravings. Coming in different strengths right from 2mg to 4mg, nicotine gum is a viable tool in the quit smoking strategy when used correctly.
At the same time it has several possible negative consequences – sore mouth, stomach issues, and possibility of remaining a smoker. As it was mentioned the nicotine gum can be used for short-term purposes and its usage is aimed at decreasing the level of consumed nicotine and coming to not using nicotine products at all. While it has many advantages in controlling nicotine withdrawal symptoms and helping to quit cigarettes, it is especially necessary to adhere to the correct usage of the product and discuss with a doctor whether this method is suitable for your smoking cessation process.
