What is Nicotine?
Its a toxic colorless or yellowish oily liquid which is the chief active constituent of tobacco.
When tobacco is smoked, nicotine is absorbed through the wall lining of the small air sacs in the lungs.
Role of Nicotine Gum in quitting smoking !
Nicotine gums are one of the most convenient ways to quit smoking. They are easy to use, you just have to chew them which will release the nicotine and keep chewing till you get a tingling sensation or a peppery taste. However, after you feel the tingling sensation, do not spit the gum out but place it between your gum and cheeks. Due to the addictive nature of nicotine, when you try to quit cold turkey, it takes a toll on your body, and you experience withdrawal symptoms. These can include headaches, depression, anxiety, a constant desire to smoke and sleep problems among others.
Using nicotine gum provides the body with nicotine at constant intervals ensuring that you do not feel heavy withdrawal symptoms while being able to regulate your nicotine intake precisely. However, you might ask why you would consume more nicotine if it is so addictive and what is the difference in consuming nicotine by smoking cigarettes. Furthermore, you might also wonder if nicotine is a highly addictive substance, you will get addicted to nicotine gum instead of smoking.
First of all, nicotine is highly addictive but from a smoked cigarette, it takes just 7 seconds for it reach the brain. Furthermore, consumption of nicotine through gum is comparatively lower than smoking. Therefore, it is still addictive but is less potent and easier to let go. According to medical professionals who prescribe nicotine gum to smokers:
- For the first six weeks, one piece of gum every 1-2 hours is sufficient
- For the next three weeks after that, one piece every 2-4 hours
- In the final three weeks, one piece of gum every 4-8 hours should help
The dosage of the gum can either be 2mg or 4mg per piece, depending on the frequency of your smoking habit. You should not take nicotine gum for more than 12 weeks with a maximum dosage not exceeding 24 pieces per day.
However, there are possible side-effects of using nicotine gum that you should know; they include sore mouth, hiccups, stomach irritation, and jaw ache.