One of the best solutions to quit smoking which has been widely used over the past couple of years is the nicotine patch. It works by weaning off gently, rather than doing it in a sudden. But, nicotine patches distribute toxic chemicals throughout the body which can lead to side effects like nausea and headaches.
Natural Ways to Quit Smoking
To prevent the release of toxic matter in the bloodstream, there are 8 natural treatments which can help you stop smoking for good.
1. Lime Juice A study done by the Srinakharinwirot University studied the effects of lime juice on those who were quitting smoking compared to those who used nicotine gum. Those who consumed lime juice during the trial exhibited greater success. The effectiveness of lime juice for this purpose is attributed to its vitamin C content and its ability to help with digestion.
2. Acupuncture Acupuncture stimulates the flow of qi energy, which is why it works for those who are quitting smoking. Most people who look to give up smoking feel tense and anxious. Acupuncture promotes relaxation by basically replacing the relaxation sensation one gets from a cigarette.
3. Exercise Running or playing some sports releases endorphins, which act as stress reliever. Just like with acupuncture, exercise replaces the relaxed sensation that smoking gives you, while boosting your self-confidence at the same time. As little as 10 minutes of exercise daily goes a long way in limiting your cravings.
4. Hypnosis As reported by one eminent hypnotist, Garry Johnson, ‘86% of my (his) clients stop in their first session.’ While this claim is quite bold, growing evidence suggests that hypnosis can help give up smoking. Not only it tackles the side effects of addiction, but hypnosis addresses the underlying cause of the problem, too.
5. Mindfulness Researchers have found that mindfulness is more effective compared to standard treatments. One study has shown that the participants given standard smoking sessions had 6 percent success rate while the group given mindfulness courses exhibited 31 percent success rate.
6. Black Pepper Oil A study done by researchers from the Nicotine Research Center, inhaling black pepper oil is an effective craving suppressant. This particular study studied the effects of black pepper oil on 48 individuals and found that in order to get rid of the withdrawal symptoms, it is crucial to replicate the respiratory tract sensations.
7. Self-massage More severe withdrawal symptoms can often lead to depression. Studies have shown that self-massage of the hands and ears is a good way to manage smoking-related depression and boost general mood.
8. Rhodiola Rosea This Chinese medicine has been long used to reduce fatigue, especially in battles and similar stressful situations. Now, scientist start showing how effective it can be when it comes to cigarette addiction. According to a study done on mice, symptoms withdrawal symptoms were eliminated by administering Rhodiola Rosea.