mood swings and psychological effects of stopping smoking
119153
There may be irritability, decreased threshold for stress or conflict, and minor emotional instability during the withdrawal process. Cravings are also common. Some individuals may gain weight, though the typical amount gained is between 5 to 7 pounds.
75786
It doesn't seem very appealing--it can involve dietary restrictions, especially on the larger patch sizes (the ones with higher dosages), which seems like it would have a negative affect on one's mood anyway. It will, of course, get the standard list of depression medication side effects, so I really wouldn't choose this over any others, especially ones that seem to have positive side effects (like Wellbutrin, which can increase one's chances of quitting smoking).
419682
I have tried twice before and got 46 days the first time and 30 days the second time and used the nicotine gum to do it BUT the most important thing I did and forgot to keep doing therefore I started up again and that was to change people,places and things.\nIn the beginning I stayed away from people who smoked and stayed away from places where I was use to smoking  ie my favorite eating place.Drank water with my meals as I use to drink coffee with my meals and would smoke while drinking coffee before my meal came and after I had finished my meal.\nI avoided my usual smoking break time outside with other employees.\nI tend to be a realy high wired person so as I started out with my efforts to quit smoking I made up my mind to run in low gear and to quit putting pressure on myself and to quit letting others laziness and imperfections bother me and to take it all in stride.\nThe only thing I can figure I did wrong was I got too comfortable with my efforts of not smoking and in doing so I forgot to keep up the work of avoiding familar people,places and things that encouraged my desire to smoke.\nI didn't want to gain the weight that most people say you will do when you quit smoking since we tend to exchange one habit for another so I made sure that I had plenty of fresh fruits and veggies on hand.\nI also made sure that I had plenty of my favorite gum on hand to help me get through those tough moments when the nicotine gum did not seem appealing or when it was too soon to have another piece.\nMy family,friends,employer and fellow employees were very supportive in my efforts.\nMy clothes,my house ,my car started to smell so much and my mouth was losing that bottom of the ashtray taste during my efforts to quit and I intend to quit again. .  . and this time FOREVER!\nPeople will certainly climb your backside for smoking and will rag on you forever but when you quit smoking they rarely give you as much credit or praise. . most of them do not really realize just how hard it is to give up smoking. . they say it is as hard as getting off of heroine so be sure to not let this discourage you. \nOne of the most important things to remember is that you want to quit smoking more than you want to smoke.\n\nThey say that the first 72hours of not smoking is when the nicotine leaves your body so the next time I quit smoking it is going to be cold turkey as I can't afford the gum or the patches for months on end and thusly dragging out the quitting smoking process and I will reminding myself that I want to quit smoking more than I want to smoke.\nI also want to set a good example for my grandchildren who are under the age of 4.(It is extremely hard to explain to my grandchildren why their Grammie smokes.)\n\nGood Luck \n\n\n\nP.S. IF you want some extra support,you can email me.
377188
Quitting smoking is a great opportunity to learn about ourselves.\nCongratulate yourself  on having the desire to stop - then you are over the worst, but still need to maintain your resolve. It's just so easy to start thinking that just one won't hurt, but it does. Just one achieves nothing except feeling the need for another. Whatever you do, don't have just one. Beware - alcohol will weaken your resolve.\nHere's a few home-brewed tips that might be useful.\nIt's not just nicotine addiction - there are 50+ chemicals in cigarettes. Also the main problem is habit.\nWe have been used to having body sensations which we translate as 'my body needs something', which we have attempted to satisfy by having a cigarette.\nWhen we try to stop smoking, we still get these 'my body needs something' sensations, and we still feel that we want a cigarette. We have to train our body to be more selective. When we feel we need something, we have to work out what it is that we actually need.\nA glass of water is an excellent substitute if nothing else comes to mind, as it helps with the clearance of the toxic substances in our body. Another good substitute is a bag of salted peanuts, used in combination with the water.\nAnother thing to do is to find an activity which occupies the mind or body. Go swimming - nobody wants to smoke while they are swimming. Slowly, as our body adjusts and translates the 'want something' feelings into something other than cigarettes, then the feelings begin to go away. We know its not a cigarette that the body really needs, because as soon as we've had one we still have the feeling, and want another!\nWe will have a few bouts of feeling or even being short tempered. We must try to bite our lip, and control; ourselves. Recognise the short temper as being the removal of toxins which are trying to find a way out. They went in through the mouth, and they try to get out that way to. We must learn to keep our mouth closed, and force the toxins out the other way.\n\nAfter we have stopped for a while we will begin to feel that just one wont to any harm.\nAll that leads to is a desire for just another one. We must guard very strongly against the desire to have just one.
342741
I stopped six months back , never had any trouble,\nI just quit coz it was consuming me and i never had a reason to smoke , \nJust the urge n it died in four days.\nI just convinced myself its does no good and more negative i thought about smoking more good i used to feel to not be smoking \n\nMany of my friends think i have more will power , they cant just do without it .\nI think its more a psychological addiction than a physical one , it makes me feel more clean and fresh.
440459
Quitting smoking is a great opportunity to learn about ourselves, as you have already observed.\nCongratulate yourself  on having the desire to stop - then you are over the worst, but still need to maintain your resolve. It's just so easy to start thinking that just one won't hurt, but it does. Just one achieves nothing except feeling the need for another. Whatever you do, don't have just one. Beware - alcohol will weaken your resolve.\nHere's a few home-brewed tips that might be useful.\nIt's not just nicotine addiction - there are 50+ chemicals in cigarettes. Also the main problem is habit.\nWe have been used to having body sensations which we translate as 'my body needs something', which we have attempted to satisfy by having a cigarette.\nWhen we try to stop smoking, we still get these 'my body needs something' sensations, and we still feel that we want a cigarette. We have to train our body to be more selective. When we feel we need something, we have to work out what it is that we actually need.\nA glass of water is an excellent substitute if nothing else comes to mind, as it helps with the clearance of the toxic substances in our body. Another good substitute is a bag of salted peanuts, used in combination with the water.\nAnother thing to do is to find an activity which occupies the mind or body. Go swimming - nobody wants to smoke while they are swimming. Slowly, as our body adjusts and translates the 'want something' feelings into something other than cigarettes, then the feelings begin to go away. We know its not a cigarette that the body really needs, because as soon as we've had one we still have the feeling, and want another!\nWe will have a few bouts of feeling or even being short tempered. We must try to bite our lip, and control; ourselves. Recognise the short temper as being the removal of toxins which are trying to find a way out. They went in through the mouth, and they try to get out that way to. We must learn to keep our mouth closed, and force the toxins out the other way.\n\nAfter we have stopped for a while we will begin to feel that just one wont to any harm.\nAll that leads to is a desire for just another one. We must guard very strongly against the desire to have just one.
36829
A cigarette really can release stress.  Someone who quits for a long time and then goes through a tramatic ordeal is likely to remember the release they got from the cigarette, and is likely not to care at the moment about all the reasons they decided to quit.
663285
YES! get some Zyban. Or bupropion that stuff really works, I smoked for 30 years and quit cold turkey with that stuff. No problems except a little irritability.
193987
Smoking.  Haven't had a cigarette in 20 years now.  Tried cold turkey 3 times and failed... but then I got so sick with the flu that I didn't WANT to smoke for three days... and when I got better  the withdrawal was over so I decided to ride it out.  One of the best things I ever did for myself!
300850
Depends upon if you are looking for the positive for negative effects.  Nicotine affects the brain first, (nicotine is found naturally in vegetables to one degree or another) as the brain actually has receptors specifically for nicotine.  People with poor or damaged nicotine receptors find improved mental alertness and calmness in stressful situations.  Nicotine is also an anti-spazmodic, which is generally a brain/nervous sytem-related disorder, which is why it is helpful for people with MS, Parkinsons, IBS, and other spazmodic ailments.  Smokers are less likely to get communicable colds as the heat of the smoke and the nicotine combine to kill many germs and bacteria (organic gardners use a tobacco tincture to control pests and fungus).   The affects of nicotine to the brain are predominately positive.  The negative affects of smoking are more cumulative.  Smoking itself, particularly cigarettes, actually affects the teeth first (causing gum disease and rapid tooth decay), then affects the lungs second, and the heart and the cardio-vascular system a close third.  Smokers who never encounter lung or heart problems will always have dental problems.  The affects on the lungs are most serious, as lung transplants are frequently not an option, and there is no cure for lung cancer.  Diminished lung capacity also hurts the heart, muscles, skin, and organs as rest of the body as sufficient oxygen is not being pumped to all parts of the body.  What part of the body smoking will affect most will depend on three things:  genetic make-up (Recently, the oldest woman alive died after smoking since she was 12), other mitigating factors  such living and work environment, eating and exercise habits, general mental health, and how much smoking is done.
477530
The negative side effects of smoking are damage to throat and lungs;\nadded risk of heart disease;\ndepletion of certain vitamins, especially Vitamin C, which might cause some health problems, \ndiscolouration of teeth and fingernails and even the skin around the fingernails on the hand that holds the cigarette,\nostracism due to smelling like an ashtray;\nostracism due to being a smoker in the first place;\na weakened immune system due to depletion of vitamins in part, but  mainly due to being forced to smoke outdoors in the freezing cold:\nLung disease; respiratory diseases; and sometimes cancer;\ndamage to an unborn foetus;\ncosts of decorating (white walls will yellow quickly);\ncosts of buying the cigarettes;\ncosts of getting private health care for your emphysema or whatever, which your G.P. doesn't care to treat as you a smoker;\ncost of tissues which you need to hack up the daily ten oysters or so ...\nprobably more!\nThe positive side-effects should get a mention too, for the sake of an unbiased  report.\ngood for the digestion;\ngood for certain types of dental problems;\naids concentration and focussing skills;\nreduces stress;\nreduces the toxic effects of alcohol.\nProbably a lot more there too!\nIn the neutral box, premature ageing is often cited as a negative side-effect, but that probably depends on the person (By premature ageing, I mean wrinkled skin and not breathlessness due to lung capacity or heart)\nDepending on the how much nicotine and tar the cigarette contains, and on personal hygiene, smelling bad is no longer an "option".\n\nPeople who suffer from stress-related diseases are discouraged to cold turkey because their conditon would get worse. Until they can find an alternative way of managing their stress, smoking is acceptable, but hopefully they try to cut down.\nBreathing exercises are useful to delay lighting up, as is holding the cigarette in your fingers when you feel the urge to smoke, and counting to ten or whatever, in the hope that a distraction will stop you from smoking it for yet a longer while .\n\nYet why is it that after WW2, so many pregnant mothers smoked, and produced healthy babies? How did all those 60-a-day smokers live into ripe old age, with only a cough to show for it, if that? Could it be that modern cigarettes contain dangerous chemicals these days? Chemicals which are far worse than tobacco itself?
16238
Just an aggrivated feeling if you don't have one, or a momentary anxious feeling until you start to smoke. Not really much of a physical reaction. It is more of a mental habit than a physical addiction.
662269
Seek Medical Help first...\n\nNicotine Withdrawal\n\nWhen smokers try to cut back or quit, the absence of nicotine leads to withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal is both physical and mental. Physically, the body is reacting to the absence of nicotine. Psychologically, the smoker is faced with giving up a habit, which is a major change in behavior. Both must be dealt with if quitting is to be successful.\n\nWithdrawal symptoms can include any of the following:\n\n    * dizziness (may only last 1-2 days in the beginning)\n    * depression\n    * feelings of frustration and anger\n    * irritability\n    * trouble sleeping\n    * trouble concentrating\n    * restlessness\n    * headache\n    * tiredness\n    * increased appetite\n\nThese symptoms can lead the smoker to again start smoking cigarettes to boost blood levels of nicotine back to a level where there are no symptoms.\n\nIf a person has smoked regularly for a few weeks or longer and abruptly stops using tobacco or greatly reduces the amount smoked, withdrawal symptoms will occur. Symptoms usually start within a few hours of the last cigarette and peak about 2 to 3 days later. Withdrawal symptoms can last for a few days to several weeks.
522805
your body is used to getting the nicotine on a regular basis so you will have huge cravings for it. as for caughing, you loung is finally starting to breeth, hopefully it will get better soon. *tumbs up* for quitting, don't give up the fight, you can do it:)
599977
WOW  My Friend you said it.I'm a heavy smoker.I started at 13,I'm now 68.I ant to quit because I have had 2 hart attacks and a stroke. that is the only reason.I couldn't care less about the non-smokers.If they don't like it just don't breath while I'm smoking. nice to hear someone s on my side in this issue
561349
yes. i did have a bad habit for 12 years i smoke cigerettes. i just quit 2 weeks ago i feel better.
349904
first off let me congratulate you on the fact that you've stop smoking smart decision. Well i think that you don't feel good since you stop smoking your body isn't use to it yet. your body is prob still getting use to you not smoking don't worry about it with time you will feel better. CONGRATS