Nicotine is a highly addictive drug and is as addictive as heroin or cocaine. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms occur when a person quits smoking, as the level of nicotine the body used to get decreases. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms are a short lived process but can be very unpleasant during the period it lasts.
It’s better to educate yourself about what to expect before you quit smoking and how you can cope with the withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal is an intense stage of recovery during which one experiences pain, irritation and stress.
The main nicotine withdrawal symptoms which a person experiences while he quits smoking are:
* Anger and anxiety – This is the first symptom you experience while quitting smoking. During the very initial period you might feel very irritated and even get anger for silly and small reasons. The main reason for this is because you have stopped the intake of nicotine on which you were dependant every day. Going for a walk, listening to relaxing music, taking deep breath, etc can help you from getting yourself irritated and angry.
* Cough and mucus – Cough and mucus is a very common and a good nicotine withdrawal symptom, this is because the hairs which protect the lungs are getting rid of the toxins and tars which have built up during the period you were smoking. Intake of large quantities of water and sucking boiled sweets can help to ease cough, help to keep the throat moist and even flush the toxins out of your body.
* Depression – Nicotine has antidepressant qualities in it, therefore once you quit smoking it is quite normal for you to enter into a state of temporary depression. Nicotine releases dopamine into the brain which makes you feel happy and satisfied but once its intake is stopped the level of dopamine falls and thus causing the feeling of depression. If the condition is really bad then you can consult a doctor to prescribe you an antidepressant.
* Disturbed sleep – Another nicotine withdrawal symptom is disturbed sleep patterns, you either feel sleepier or facing difficulty in getting proper sleep and this is because of the absence of nicotine in the brain. Exercising, listening to relaxing music, doing meditation, drinking warm milk with honey to improve the melatonin level before sleeping, etc are some ways to improve your sleeping pattern.
* Tingling sensation – Once you give up smoking the oxygen supply to your body increases and this causes a tingling sensation.
* Headaches and tiredness – Some of the most common nicotine withdrawal symptoms are headaches and tiredness. The reason for this is the increased supply of oxygen, sleeping disturbances, diet changes and stress. Nicotine speeds up the metabolism to a high level and when the intake is stopped, the metabolism slows down and you feel tired.
* Poor concentration – Nicotine is a powerful stimulant which increases your memory as well as concentration. So when you quit smoking, lack of concentration is likely to occur due to lack of nicotine intake. Best way to combat this symptom is exercise, intake of healthy foods and drinking large quantities of water.
These are the main nicotine withdrawal symptoms which are commonly experienced after quit smoking. Some of the other symptoms are increased appetite, increased hunger, constipation, and bad moods.