Can Chewing Gum Really Help You Quit Smoking? Here’s What Experts Say
Quitting smoking is a tedious journey, one that is often daunting to embark on. Given the addictive nature of smoking, people are often too troubled to find a way out of the situation.
With so many different approaches available to quitting smoking, it isn’t surprising that people are often on the quest for effective solutions. Finding answers to how to quit smoking isn’t as difficult, and nicotine replacement therapies like nicotine gums are gaining more and more traction.
But can chewing gum help you quit smoking? Here, we explore how chewing gum—both nicotine-infused and regular—works as a cessation aid, its benefits, its limitations and its role in the battle against tobacco addiction.
How Does Chewing Gum Help with Smoking Cessation?
When discussing chewing gums as a way to overcome your smoking habit, we will pay close attention to both nicotine chewing gums and regular chewing gum as well.
Nicotine gum: This is a type of medicated gum that contains a small amount of nicotine to ease withdrawal symptoms.
Regular gum: Some people opt for sugar-free, non-medicated gum to satisfy the oral fixation associated with smoking.
Each of these two has its range of benefits that make it easier for you to overcome the habit of smoking and lead a healthy life. Let us explore them in detail:
Nicotine Gum: Easing Withdrawal Symptoms
Nicotine gums are designed to help people overcome their habit of smoking and successfully quit it. Unlike a cigarette, where nicotine and other chemicals are present, nicotine gums are formulated to deliver a controlled dosage of nicotine, especially when the withdrawal symptoms hit.
When you chew nicotine gum, nicotine is gradually absorbed through the lining of your mouth, providing a controlled, smaller dose of the substance. This helps to lessen cravings and mitigate symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, such as irritability, difficulty concentrating, and anxiety.
For people who are trying to ease into their quitting journey and opt for a gradual reduction of the habit instead of going cold turkey, nicotine gum is considered to be one of the most effective options. Opting for a New Nicotine Gum can ease the process quite significantly, allowing you to stay motivated along the way.
Regular Chewing Gum: Addressing Behavioral Aspects
Moving on, we have regular chewing gum, which doesn’t necessarily have any nicotine in it, but it can be used for distraction. Any time the nicotine cravings hit, chewing on a regular chewing gum wills those cravings away.
Many smokers find that chewing gum helps keep their mouths occupied, addressing the habitual or behavioural aspect of smoking. This method may be especially effective when dealing with "cue-induced cravings"—moments when external triggers (like social settings or post-meals) spark a desire to smoke.
What are the Physical Benefits of Chewing Gum for Quitting Smoking?
Chewing gum is a lot more than simply managing your cravings. While that is the main aspect or objective, you have to also consider the physical benefits of fostering this healthy habit instead of smoking.
Oral fixation is a common issue among smokers, meaning that the hand-to-mouth motions often compel people to pick up a smoke, making them derail from their quitting journey. Chewing gum can simulate this motion, giving users an activity to replace the habit of reaching for a cigarette.
In some cases, when you are trying to quit your smoking habit, the nicotine withdrawal contributes to a sudden spike in appetite, leading to overeating and hunger pangs. Chewing gum is an effective way to distract yourself, and sugar-free gums are a low-calorie alternative that keeps you satiated from time to time.
Smoking also leads to bad breath due to oral dryness. Hence, chewing gum offers a much better way to cope and keep oral hygiene in check.
What are the Psychological Benefits of Chewing Gum for Quitting Smoking?
Beyond the physical benefits, chewing gum when you are an active smoker or trying to quit smoking comes with a lot of psychological benefits, too. Some include:
Studies show that chewing gum can reduce stress and improve mood. Since quitting smoking can often lead to feelings of anxiety, irritability, and depression, chewing gum offers a simple way to alleviate these emotions.
Chewing on nicotine gum is quite effective for people who are on their quitting journey and want to ensure they are focused and alert along the way. The mild and controlled release of nicotine often keeps the mental fog at bay.
Both nicotine and regular gum help individuals gain a sense of control over their cravings. This acts as positive reinforcement, allowing you to boost your confidence and stay motivated throughout your quitting journey.
Can Chewing Gum Be Enough for Quitting Smoking?
The concept of quitting smoking is quite elaborate and often subjective. What works for one person might not work for another, which means that while chewing gum can be a distraction for one smoker on their quitting journey, it doesn’t mean that it would yield the same results for you.
In fact, experts also suggest that nicotine gum is most effective as an aid for quitting when it is part of a broader quitting strategy. This strategy can include behavioural therapy and support networks.
In some cases, nicotine gum might not be a permanent solution but a helpful tool to use during the initial quitting stages. To explain it better, chewing gum allows smokers to step down their dependence on nicotine slowly rather than going 'cold turkey,' which can lead to intense withdrawal symptoms and often causes people to relapse.
Final Words
Quitting smoking can be a strenuous journey, both physically and emotionally. So, when you are considering making that switch to embrace a healthier lifestyle, you have to find aids that genuinely work in your favour. Chewing gum can be one of the best assistive options, allowing you to overcome the challenges that often come with nicotine withdrawal and the dependence that you have built with the habit. It is always best to combine the use of nicotine gum with other interventions for maximum benefits.