The smoking brain is conditioned to ignore the facts. Many smokers really want to quit the habit but are sacred that their life will be unbearable without the weed. Stopping smoking will be tough but it can be done
So what makes it so hard? Nicotine. Nicotine is a natural compound found in a number of plants, including of course tobacco. On its own nicotine doesn’t actually cause cancer. But nicotine does block antibodies that can block cancer. Nicotine also activates receptors, which leads to an increased flow of adrenaline (epinephrine), which increases the heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and glucose levels in the blood. When smokers try to cut back or quit smoking, they experience nicotine withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms appear within a few hours and peak 24 to 48 hours after quitting. Withdrawal symptoms include tobacco craving, a desire for sweets, increased coughing, and impaired performance on tasks that require concentration.
Many of the symptoms
will last for a month or so, but food cravings may well go on for much longer. The good news is that more or less immediately positive things happen to you body.
After 8 hrs – carbon monoxide and oxygen levels in you blood normalise.
After 24 hrs – decreased likelihood of cardiac arrest.
After 48 hrs – increasing reaction to tastes and smells.
Between week 2 and month 3 you gain good improvement in your lungs and circulation gets getter.
In 1 to 9 months, coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease as you continue to see significant improvement in lung function. Cilia – tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs – regain normal function.
In 1 year, risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack is reduced to half that of a smoker.
Between 5 and 15 years after quitting, your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.
In 10 years, your risk of lung cancer drops. Additionally, your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decrease. Your risk of developing an ulcer also decreases.
After 15 yrs the danger of heart disease and heat attack is the same as someone who has never smoked and life expectancy go back to that of a non smoker.
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October 26th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Hi there,
Thank you! I would now go on this blog every day!
Elcoj