The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

strryeyed — Tue, 01 May 2007 19:35:17 GMT

There is no "right" way to quit smoking. We are all wired a little differently and thus will respond in different ways to the various stop smoking tools on the market. Making dietary changes/eating better will always help rather than hinder quitting but i don't believe that it is enough for most people. Quitting smoking involves having a plan of attack. Anyone who has tried to quit before understands that it is not only a physical experience. It is a strong strong habit or ritual that takes time and energy to break. Making behavioral changes (coping with stress differently, having a new morning routine, avoiding alchohol or social situations and other smokers) are imperative to staying quit. None of the nicotine replacement products on the market are bad or mean that someone is cheating. They just aren't for everyone and they aren't to be used as the sole means of quitting. Combination of a product, the right support network (counseling, groups, friends), and changing behaviors is the best approach. And as stated by others responding to this article, NOTHING will work if you don't WANT to quit. So the best place to begin is with a pen, a peice of paper, and a list of pros and cons to continuing to smoke. Add up how much you spend and what else you could buy if you didn't buy cigarettes. Think of the people in your life and don't quit for them but quit because YOU want to be around to enjoy them and witness their lives.

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

keepingfit — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:24:33 GMT

I think that smoking addiction is very individualized and different for different people. My whole family smoked and I began at the age of 15 because it was considered really 'grown-up' to smoke. We watched all the movie stars in the 1940's and 50's, smoking on screen and it looked so glamorous......what else could we do but follow suit! Besides, back in those days the ads actually claimed that smoking was 'good' for you!!! So the process of getting hooked was truly done in ignorance......we had no idea that it could adversely affect one's health! Then by the time we learned of the dangers, it was too late, we were hopelessly addicted.
I even had a sister who died of lung cancer, yet I kept on smoking! Why? I suppose because I was too weak-willed to fight it. However, one day I woke up and realized that it had to be now or never! I didn't stop that day though! I proceeded to give myself mental instructions each time I lit up and told myself that I WAS going to quit! I kept on with the self talk for almost a year but it did have an effect as I had unknowingly prepared myself psychologically to kick the habit.
When the day arrived (totally unplanned) that I put my cigarettes down, I decided to use the gum for back-up. And I kept a pack of cigarettes handy just in case I went completely ga-ga from withdrawals. For some reason this helped me as I didn't feel so scared. I knew that I didn't have to get frantic if I had overwhelming cravings, I could just light up to take the sting away.
I guess I cheated two times during the whole withdrawal period, but in a couple of weeks I was free from the physical addiction. The psychological addiction took a little longer as I kept wanting to go through the motions of lighting up. I stuck it out though and twenty five years later I'm still smoke free.

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

Daniel Date — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 22:06:38 GMT

Tobacco: The Definitive Link in Healthy Aging

By Daniel John Richard Date

“I have great respect for the heroic efforts of doctors and psychiatrists who prescribe pharmaceutical grade methamphetamine to autistic children and the obese. Autism, now reported to afflict one out of hundred and fifty. Obesity: clearly rising.” -Daniel Date

Introduction:

It is a fact, all of the world's oldest living people are classified as chain-smokers [1]. A few of them drink daily [1][2][3], one of them even smokes marijuana daily[3]. Some of them claimed that smoking was the key to their long healthy lives; intelligent people will accredit these claims by natural credential alone; as wise youth’s respect the teachings of elders. My research on the matter may produce some insight as to why this is all plausible.

Sources of Vitamin: Nicotine, Cannibinoid, Opiate

The brain contains receptors designed to receive nicotine, cannibinoid, and opiate. Thus, we can be assured that they are necessary components of a balanced diet and are of nutritional value.

Nicotine in Tobacco is analogous to Vitamin B3 (Niacin) [4]. The discovery of Vitamin B3 was through tobacco research, and nicotine is also present in wholesome foods. Nicotine was given three different distinctive names by scientists (nicotine, nicotinic acid, and niacin), because of its association with tobacco. By the heroic efforts of doctors, pharmaceutical companies, and government; people would not be confused into thinking that wholesome foods contained a deadly poison, or that tobacco provided the same nutrients as wholesome food; the latter of which is true. The Health benefits of nicotine are parallel to the health benefits of Vitamin B3; increased metabolism, suppressed Appetite, regulated nervous system, detoxification of blood capillaries.

Nicotine is found in Eggplants and Tomatoes, Tobacco, Whole grains, leaves and meat. Consumption of nicotine (niacin) by smoking inhalation of Tobacco is profoundly associated with extreme longevity. [1] To meet the U.S. RDA for niacin (‘nicotinic acid’ 15-20mg/day) requires that a person consume a serving of chicken, a serving of turkey, a serving of spinach, and a bowl of fortified cereal each day. By the knowledge of what nicotine actually is, one could attain this requirement by smoking 2 packs of cigarettes.

Tobacco consumption historically coincides with the consumption of chocolate, also a definitive link in healthy aging; we see that Anandamide cannibinoids in chocolate binds with the same receptors as THC (marijuana), the consumption of large quantities of Chocolate is known to produce “Marijuana like high"[5] and that the consumption of cannibinoids is associated with extreme longevity. [3][6] The world’s oldest documented persons Jeanne Calment (1875-1997) and Sarah Knauss (1880-1999), were passionately fond of chocolate. Jeanne Calment habitually ate two pounds of chocolate per week until her physician induced her to give up sweets at the age of 119 - three years before her death aged 122. [6]

Opiates are found in wholesome foods we eat; Milk, wheat, barley and poppy seeds, all contain significant amounts of opiate proteins that stimulate the exact same opiate binding receptors in the brain as heroin [7]

It would seem that because the brain is designed with receptors to receive nicotine, cannabinoid, and opiate; and their sources being inherently attractive sources of food; Marijuana, Chocolate, Tobacco, Bread, Meat, and Dairy; that the world’s oldest living people would regularly consume them; any intelligent and educated person could capably realize that this meant “higher” nutrition.

The Value of Nicotine, Cannibinoid, and Opiate Vitamins in History and Religion:

Tobacco

Man was never meant to run out of Tobacco and experience withdrawal symptoms, it is the fastest producing crop in the world; yielding 1 million seeds per plant. [8] Praised by Native American tribes for its peaceful qualities. They believed that smoking allowed for them to communicate with the “Great Spirit” (North American-monotheistic deity) and the “Heart of Sky” (South American-monotheistic deity). This coincides with the beliefs from the Old Testament of the bible, which states that making “Burnt Offerings” allowed for one to atone for their sin, become united with the Holy Spirit, by covering the stench of sin (possibly body odor, flatulence, other symptoms of gluttony). The Central American Mazatec Shamans practice Catholicism today, they drink Fermented Tobacco Juice and smoke the leaves of psycho-active jungle herbs (Salvia); they believe that this is the way of Jesus Christ. It is quoted in the accounts of the first discoverers of the Mayan Civilization; Cortez and his men, “We were first afraid of smoking tobacco, but then realized that this was good. It cures various ailments such as chronic coughing.” This being our first historical impression of man’s encounter with tobacco smoking, we must know that the symptom they experienced was that of seeming poison at first, but nectar in the end; The intelligent will know these symptoms to be goodness in all circumstances.

Cannabis

Marijuana is industrially the most useful plant ever cultivated by man; it is praised in the bible for its psychoactive properties [9]. It is scholarly understood that the word Cannabis has its earliest root in the Semitic Language of Hebrew. The ancient Hebrew word for Cannabis is Kaneh–Besem. In the bible, the word was mistranslated to Calamus; though many English bibles noted this error and decided to use “Fragrant Cane” instead, the rough translation of Kaneh-Bes. Any intelligent person could realize that “Kaneh-Bes” is the origin of the word “Cannabis”.

The second page of the bible states, “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food” (Gen 1:29). To the good believers of the bible, this means [all] herbs yielding seed across the face of the earth; including marijuana and tobacco, are wholesome and of nutritional value. The following verses go on to state that these things are “Very Good” as well. Most believers in the bible believe that Cannabis is bad, because it is illegal. They do not understand that only man has made it illegal, with the intent of inducing malnutrition among the populace. This has succeeded, with the rates of obesity; pharmaceutical companies are now extracting THC from cannabis to use as a weight-loss drug [10].

Chocolate

Chocolate is an opiate, cannibinoid, amphetamine, and source of vitamin B3 all mixed together, it was held of the highest economic and religious value by the Indigenous South Americans. [11]

Chocolate contains tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. It is the rate-limiting step in the production of the mood-modulating neurotransmitter serotonin. Enhanced serotonin function typically diminishes anxiety. Tryptophan is also broken down by the body into nicotine (niacin).

Consumption of chocolate triggers the release of endorphins, the body's endogenous opiates. Enhanced endorphin-release reduces the chocolate-eater's sensitivity to pain.

Chocolate contains a group of neuroactive alkaloids known as tetrahydro-beta-carbolines. Tetrahydro-beta-carbolines are also found in beer, wine and liquor.

Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, structurally identical to amphetamine, well indicating why this food staple is highly addictive.

Bread

Bread is spoken of highest value in the Holy Bible. Exodus 16:12, “I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, at even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.” By direct implication, only under the influence of opiates and b-vitamins found in bread, could man even begin to understand the existence of the divine nature. It is also said in the bible, that both Jesus and Moses anointed themselves with holy oil (marijuana containing) and spent 40 days in the desert without eating bread; yet came back gleaming because they had been with Yahweh. This made them especially holy because the people back then could not fathom living without bread, meaning that if a person has no bread, he can supplement his nutrition with cannabis to remain in a consciousness that is holy.

Milk

Milk, which contains powerful bovine opiate (casomorphine), meant to sedate baby cows; is highly praised by the Holy Quran. “Be grateful to the Bounties of Allah, to eat its meat and drink its milk, pure milk, palatable to drinkers." (16:66) The Prophet Mohammad is reported in the Hadith Collection of his records to have encouraged a man to drink more milk than he normally would. The Prophet Mohammad is also said to have never left his house without “Kefir”. Kefir is a lactose based bacterial culture that cannot factually survive without human care. Kefir also proves beyond reasonable doubt the theory of “Creationism”. Not only is this organism unable reproduce itself without human care, but historic man did not have the capabilities of creating living organisms that would be solely dependent upon himself for survival. Kefir contains the most important lacto-bacteria’s for the human immune-system, and was required by law to be consumed daily by Chernobyl survivors [citation needed]. It is not found naturally occurring in nature, and only capable of reproducing itself if placed in buckets of milk. The Recorded History of Kefir states that “God rained it down to man from the sky as a gift”, which also serves as the only rational explanation for its existence. Mohammad was reported to have healthily lived for 96 years, and was able to fight war through his elderly age.

Alcohol

Wine is spoken of frequently in the holy bible and especially recommended, "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. " (Timothy 5:23) Jesus turned the water into wine, possibly because water was simply not as wholesome.

Wine is typically forbidden to Muslim’s, out of ignorance of their own religion, as similarly experienced by Christians with Cannabis. It is stated in the Quran, “A similitude of the Garden which those who keep their duty (to Allah) are promised: Therein are rivers of water unpolluted ... and rivers of wine, delicious to the drinkers.”
-- Sura 47:15

“Surely the pious will be in bliss ... their thirst will be slaked with pure wine sealed.”
-- Sura 83:22,25

How would Muslim’s ever know the taste of wine, and what to expect in the afterlife, if it is forbidden to them in the first place? I am sure there would be no suicide bombings if they took drinks and relaxed like the Islamic people of Turkey.

Health Benefits of Tobacco according to the Scientific Method:

Tobacco tar is known to protect against the damaging effects of Asbestos [12], cure Asthma and prevent Breast Cancer [13]. Nicotine has been shown to stop Tuberculosis in its tracks. [14] Carbon Monoxide may prevent Heart attacks and Stroke. [15] Parkinson’s Disease is associated with non-smoking [16] Alzheimer’s disease is associated with non-smoking. [17] Less than 3% of smokers die of lung cancer, even if they smoked chemical ridden generic cigarettes. [18] According to the Journal of Theoretic, Smoking simply does not cause Lung Cancer. [19a] Researchers attempted to induce lung-cancer in thousands of mice through exposure to chronic levels of tobacco smoke (equivalent to 200 cigarettes a day in some cases) every study failed. One study even proved that chronic exposure to tobacco smoke protected mice from cancer induced by nuclear radiation. [19b][c]

Tobacco Related “Premature death” by the Scientific Method:

A person is logged as a premature smoking death no matter what age he dies, including the worlds oldest living people [20].

Anti-tobacco research is paid for and governed by the Pharmaceutical industry. [21] The Pharmaceutical industry distributes methamphetamines to children [22], including Desoxyn (Methamphetamine Hydrochloride)[23] Their credibility and integrity is certainly dubious. They happen to be the sole supplier and profiteer of nicotine patches.

Facts and Evidences:

Marijuana smoking is not linked to lung cancer, even though it contains more chemicals “known to cause Lung Cancer”. [24]

The Pharmaceutical industry has submitted an ample amount of scientific evidence to convince people of smoking related epidemic, some studies have even shown the complete opposite of the scientific evidence I have chosen to use in my research. It is certain that all of the studies conducted by the pharmaceutical industry are biased to produce anti-smoking propaganda (i.e. using obese smokers as test subjects)(or…citing that nicotine dependent fast-food eaters died from their smoking and not from their fast food consumption [20][25] . No conclusive truth can be established from Scientific Study, but people will believe what they are told on Television to be fact anyway.

This essay is designed to educate the brain-washed masses; from the lowliest peasants to the highest educated caste; with facts. For this purpose, I specifically chose the scientific evidence that supported the fact; world’s oldest living people are chain smokers and claimed that smoking was the key to their long life. [1]

Those who disagree will choose the scientific evidence that supports the theory "Smoking causes premature death"[20]

Scientific evidence is produced of money, and fact is produced of history. Many people have been confused in deciphering the difference between scientific evidence and fact. Under the Iron-Curtain of Corporatism, the facts will not even be known by most people, excluding myself and the readers of this essay.

The fact states that the world’s oldest living people were smokers and suffered no ailment from it [1].

Those who rely on Science Fiction (err...evidence) in an attempt to fraudulate the fact say, "Smoking causes premature death".[20]

I know that my logic must be superior to that of a "normal" non-smoking human being, and I declare that “Fact disproves fiction”. The wisest words to have been spoken throughout the recorded history of man.

A short segment about Alcohol:

Some of the world’s oldest living people were considered "moderate drinkers". Moderate drinking is defined as 1-3 glasses of alcohol a day. The Queen Elizabeth lived 100 years drinking gin cocktails and smoking cigarettes daily. As did George Burns with his 20 cigar a day habit beginning at the age of 12, he is rumored to have also enjoyed ten martinis on a daily basis.

Vitamins in Beer? "Unfiltered" Beer is chalk full of B-vitamins, it is known as "liquid bread".[26] Moderate drinking is known to provide over 50 different health benefits[27].

Is all alcohol created equal?

No, one must learn to correctly discern that which is good and bad, most alcohol on the market is cheap crap, filtered beer is crap, preservatives and chemical flavorings are crap and often added to alcoholic beverages. For a good drink, buy quality Gin that has been distilled at least 3 times. i.e. "Bombay Sapphire", mix it with all natural tonic water and squeeze some grapefruit juice into it. Or try drinking unfiltered beer.

Recommendations:

I encourage people to smoke all natural tobacco, Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted whole grain bread is the only bread recommended in the bible next to unleavened “manna bread”. Chocolate should be eaten in the form of barley/corn malted baker’s chocolate or raw cacao. Kefir can be mixed into a smoothie with bananas, chocolate, coconut shreds, and cinnamon. A person will find that a piece of bread with honey, butter, cinnamon and cacao is identical to a doughnut. I cannot stress the importance of eating fresh vegetables of course. A 115 year old man from Spain, Mr. Mercado Del Toro, claimed that he always ate fresh food, he was also a smoker. I recommend making sandwiches with the Ezekiel 4:9; one can be formed of avocado, cream cheese, sprouts, spinach, onion, cucumber, and tomato. Certain vegetables I understand to be difficult to digest raw, these include kale, cauliflower, and broccoli.

Summary:

Read my sources, light up, have a drink, and encourage your children to smoke. One should note, that creationism is shown beyond reasonable doubt by paintings from the 15^th and 18^th centuries [29]

“Jesus basically walked around bad-mouthing ‘Pharisees and Saccubacees’, people back then didn't smoke tobacco yet, so they were living the symptoms of non-smoking; irritability and hunger. The symptoms of non-smoking made them practically barbaric; The Jews killed Jesus for exercising his fourth amendment.” Daniel John Richard Date

References:

1: The Evidence - World's Oldest - All Smokers http://www.forces.org/evidence/hamilton/other/oldest.htm

2:Biography of Madame Jeanne Calment http://www.biogs.com/famous/calment.html

3. 120 Year-old Woman Claims smoking pot/tobacco and drinking every day is her secret to long life. http://www.tobacco.org/news/237486.html

4. Encyclopedia entry for Vitamin B3 (Niacin) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niacin

http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/nia_0184.shtml

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/VitaminB3Niacincs.html

5. Neuroscience for Kids: Coco

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/choco.html

6: Psychoactive food:

http://www.chocolate.org/

7a.Encyclopedia entry: Gluten-free Casein-free diet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluten-free,_casein-free_diet

b. Information about gluten and casein consumption http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/gluten-casein.html

c. Opiates in milk linked to mammalian digestive health

http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/290/6/G1105

8. Encyclopedia entry: Tobacco

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761562287/Tobacco.html

9. Cannabis Linked to Biblical Healing

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2633187.stm

10. Cannabis Obesity Drug Trials to Start – Yahoo News UK

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/30012007/325/cannabis-obesity-drug-trials-start.html

11. History of Chocolate

http://www.fieldmuseum.org/Chocolate/history_intro.html

12. Smoking has a protective effect on immunological abnormalities in asbestos workers.

0429. Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy (Poland). Lange, A. "Effect of Smoking on Immunological Abnormalities in Asbestos Workers.

----

Relative risk of lung cancer for asbestos workers was "highest for those who had never smoked, lowest for current smokers, and intermediate for ex-smokers. The trend was statistically significant. There was no significant association between smoking and deaths from mesothelioma," [emphasis added].

0565. University of London, School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. "Cancer of the Lung Among Asbestos Factory Workers."

[Many other studies show similar findings for asbestos workers].

13. Smokers Paradoxes, the Health Benefits of Smoking http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_smoking#Health_benefits_of_smoking

14. Shocker: Villain ‘Nicotine’ slays TB

http://www.data-yard.net/10c/nicotine.htm

15. The Carbon Monoxide Paradox

http://www.data-yard.net/10b/cm.htm

16. Parkinson’s Disease is associated with non-smoking.

http://www.forces.org/evidence/carol/carol36.htm

17. Alzheimer’s Disease is associated with non-smoking.

http://www.forces.org/evidence/carol/carol16.htm

18. An Early Warning for Lung Cancer- Less than 3% of smokers die of Lung Cancer.

http://www.data-yard.net/3/md0203_1.htm

19a. Smoking Does Not cause Lung Cancer; helps to prevent it

http://www.journaloftheoretics.com/Editorials/Editorial%201-4.html

b. http://www.vialls.com/transpositions/smoking.html

c. "Inhalation Bioassay of Cigarette Smoke in Rats"
A. P. Wehrner, et al. (Battele Pacific Northwest Labs, Richland WA)
Journal of Toxicology & Applied Pharmacology, Vol. 61: pp 1-17 (1981)

The results show that the highest number of tumors occurred in the untreated control [non-smoking] rats. The next highest number of tumors occurred in rats subject to sham smoking, i.e. rats which were placed in the smoking machine without smoke exposure, and the lowest number of tumors occurred in the smoke-exposed rats. Among the latter, the largest number of tumors occurred in rats exposed to smoke from cigarettes having the lowest level of nicotine.

20. Tobacco Will kill 1 billion this century http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,202810,00.html?sPage=fnc.health/cancer

21. State and Institutions: At the service of the Pharmaceutical Industry

http://www.forces.org/evidence/files/pharma.htm

22. Psychiatric Drug Facts.

http://www.breggin.com/

23. Encyclopedia entry for Desoxyn (Methamphetamine Hydrochloride)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desoxyn

24. Pot Smoking not linked to Lung Cancer http://www.entheology.org/edoto/anmviewer.asp?a=246&z=9

25. The association between degree of nicotine dependence and other health behaviors

http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/11/4/450

26. Vitamin B Sources, Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_b#Vitamin_B_sources

27. Alcohol and Health http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/AlcoholAndHealth.html

Additional Sources

28. Primary Smoking and Lung Cancer

http://www.forces.org/evidence/evid/lung.htm

29a. A view of The Madonna with Saint Giovannino"(15^th C.) by Domenico Ghirlandaio (1449-1494)

http://members.lycos.co.uk/dandate2/ufomadonna.jpg

b. A Closer view of The Madonna with Saint Giovannino"(15^th C.) by Domenico Ghirlandaio (1449-1494)

http://members.lycos.co.uk/dandate2/maryufoclose.jpg

c. "The Baptism of Christ"(18^th C.) by Aert De Gelder

http://members.lycos.co.uk/dandate2/ufojesus2.jpg

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

Gina.M — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:05:03 GMT

My mother quit after 50 years of smoking. First came the decision. In her case it was watching a documentary that gave the information that the tobacco companies were breeding new varieties of tobacco that contained more nicotene and thereby getting more people hooked. Her reaction was "Not me. They're not getting me.". Then came her strategy. She looked at her newly bought carton and considered the stories she had heard about withdrawal symptoms. She decided to to put off that next cigarette as long as she could. When she couldn't stand it longer, she lit one up, took one puff then cut the burning end off and saved the rest for later. By the time she got to the end of the carton, she found that she had quit. My father quit after he had had a stroke and found he couldn't relearn to walk if he continued to smoke. And I found that first experimental puff so unpleasant, I thought "Yuk, this is crazy" and never did it again. A case of teenage rebellion?

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

Birdlady — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:02:29 GMT

Thankfully I have never smoked in my entire life. Peer pressure never got to me because it is disgusting and it makes you smell like garbage. I have an addictive personality too. =/

Of course I have nothing wrong with people who choose to smoke, but I think it is gross! It is also horrible for your health and costs you money in increased health insurance costs, the actual cost of the cigarettes, and all the problems associated with it.

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

jeremyroos — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:31:23 GMT

Phillip Day turned me onto an easy way to train your mind to give it up.. Based on the pain / pleasure response in the brain.

First buy a bag of lemons..

When you want a cigarette cut a lemon in 4 sections and take a bite of one! Do this every time you want one..

You'll wince with bitterness and your mind will start to connect the urge for cigarettes with very bad taste and even pain!

After a week or so of doing this, at least 25 times, your mind will connect the urge for a cigarette with terrible bitterness and pain from the lemon.

Your mind will replace the pleasure of cigarettes with pain, and you will not crave a cigarette anymore!

I smoked for 10 years and I just quit cold turkey; without lemons! In my opinion smoking is a mental addiction. Once I was set in my mind that I WILL quit smoking; and that they tasted horrible, I just quit... Now I haven't smoked a cigarette in 4 years.. The taste of them is so bad, I can't believe I even smoked that crap...

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

annapavlova42 — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 02:26:25 GMT

Many years ago I had attended a surprise birthday party for a friend. As we were waiting for my friend to arrive home for his awaiting surprise, I had noticed one of the guest was chain smoking. I could not believe my eyes. Why you say?? Because this chain smoker happens to be the head of the neuro-surgery department at one of the leading hospitals here in my state.

I ask him, " John, a man with your knowledge, education, and educator, you know what smoking does to the system and how your second hand smoke is harming everyone in this house. Why may I ask, why do you smoke, let alone chain smoke?"

He looked down at the floor for a few moments, then lifted his eyes and straightened his back and replied, "because I like to smoke"

He had a smile on his face!!!!

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

foxtroter_203 — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:52:44 GMT

“How addictions develop: Stimulants and other toxic chemicals are addicting because they initially cause the release of a lot of serotonin into your brain, making you feel calm and happy. This is a feeling that people strive for every day. The irony is that these same toxic chemicals that give you an immediate release of serotonin cause you to use up more serotonin---or they damage the cells that make serotonin. When serotonin levels are low, your body craves anything that will make serotonin levels rise, even if it is only temporary. Most people eat too many carbohydrates and/or refined sugars or they self-medicate all day long with caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, iced tea or sodas. Or they may smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol and/or use recreational drugs to keep their serotonin levels higher. This is how addictions get started and are maintained.” ----Diana Schwarzbein, M.D. This having been said. Balancing hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain with balanced eating, stress reduction and exercise makes it much easier to break the addiction cycle. Some people will have an easier time than others in breaking the addiction depending upon the degree of damaged metabolism they have. Heal the damaged metabolism and the addiction process is easier to end.

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

Melissa Kelly — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 19:45:40 GMT

I am not a smoker. Nor have I ever had an attraction to it. My husband smokes and I never really understood the connection and addictive properties. I have read the mile long list of ingredients and cancer causing agents, but I never really understood that there was an emotional comforting, stress relieving effect associated with a cigarette. People develop patterns of behavior not only with their daily routine but also with things like smoking and drinking. It seems strange to me because I am not standing in a position of those who smoke. I personally don't like yellow teeth or smoke scented clothing. I am thankful that my husband does not smoke in the car or our home... he has been known to have as little as one to three and I just cannot comprehend why he will not stop. He has described to me that there is also a physical association of some sort with the simple movement from the resting hand to the mouth. I would love to have some additional information on some to help my husband quit! Thanks, Melissa

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

Bridestein — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:35:04 GMT

I don't know... if you've already been smoking 25 years it seems like 12 weeks of nicotine gum or patches couldn't be worse for your health than continuing to smoke. Since going cold turkey seems to be rarely successful, it would be the less healthful alternative in the long run.
Especially if, like most people, you're trying to quit when you don't want to. I never wanted to quit - I made myself do it anyway, even though I loved it, and I wouldn't have been able to stand it without the gum. That was three years ago and I'm relieved to say that I don't miss it.

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

Aram Ovsepian — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:13:12 GMT

From a personal experience ( 10 years of smoking and smoke free for over 6 years) I find social aspect of it was a major reason I started smoking back in high school. If it is socially acceptable, kids will lean towards it. If we create an environment were it is not socially acceptable to light a cigarette in public then we'll have less smokers.

As for quitting smoking, cold turkey is a way to go.

Finding a "replacement hobby" for the time that was occupied by smoking is a must. I generally would recommend few breathing exercises.

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

lbs — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:50:55 GMT

In a perfect world, smoking might never exist. But we are not there yet. I can only speak for myself and not judge anyone's choices or reasons for whatever habits or addictions they may have. I smoked for many years, and I had my own reasons. It certainly was not to harm any one else. Just remember that addictions come in many forms. I have been smoke free for 12 years now, but if I had not had the support, understanding, and love of all of my friends and family, I may not have been able to quit.
With all of the additional chemicals and trash that is in cigarettes, it is easy to understand why people get addicted so easily. Quitting is almost always on the minds of people who are addicted to anything.
Brooke

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

Russ Bianchi — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:20:22 GMT

Nicotine, like morphine, or other drugs, is highly addictive.

I'm always very wary of any research claiming to help reduce 'the death habit of Tobacco' consumption, coming out of a University FOUNDED on Tobacco, and financed through it's endowment on tobacco money.

Yes, cold turkey (no, not the bourbon brand, over ice) is always the best way to quit.

I have found among a few loved ones who where once heavy smokers that neuro stimulant coffee, lots of it, takes the edge off quitting.

I never could personally figure out why putting something on FIRE, near oneself, let alone inhaling it, at great monetary expense, as well as proven health damage and premature DEATH to oneself, and those breathing even more toxic second hand smoke around the ingestee, was even on a rational radar to do?!

If not for the sake of your own shorten lives tobacco smokers, at least consider what you are doing in GREAT HARM to those around you.

re: The Natural Way to Break Your Smoking Habit

Josh Rubin — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:03:16 GMT

Not going into the emotional aspect of it, which in my opinion is the main reason, I have found through testing that most people smoke, do drugs, etc secondary to an amino acid imbalance in the brain. Using various amino acids (after testing) to balance the brain chemicals, as well as cub the cravings has worked wonders for my clients.