Study Reveals; Top 3 Scientifically-Proven Methods to Crush Your Smoking Habit

Out of all the current options available, researchers identified three interventions that “emerged as the most effective treatments. They are:

• Varenicline (Chantix) – An oral prescription medication used alongside education and counseling to stop smoking.
• CytisineTrusted Source – A plant-derived smoking cessation aid that has been used for decades in many European countries. Cytisine is not currently available in the USA, nor is it FDA-approved.
• E-cigarettes (with nicotine) – Evidence around e-cigarettes for smoking cessation remains somewhat controversial. The FDA has never approved an e-cigaretteTrusted Source for this purpose. Nonetheless, the present review did find that e-cigarettes were effective at helping people quit.

Varenicline and cytisine both belong to a class of drugs known as nicotine receptor partial agonists.

“By interacting with the part of the brain that nicotine normally affects, they help to reduce the withdrawal symptoms people experience when they stop smoking, like cravings and unpleasant mood changes,” said Livingstone-Banks.

They also make smoking less pleasurable, disincentivizing smokers from using cigarettes.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), which includes products like nicotine gum, patches, lozenges, and pouches, is also effective. Researchers found that NRT was even more effective when a long-lasting product, like a patch, was paired with a fast-acting product, like gum.

The oral antidepressant bupropionTrusted Source is also approved for smoking cessation. The Cochrane review found that this medication was helpful to quit smoking, but the evidence was not as robust as that for varenicline and cytisine.

Behavioral support, which includes things like therapy and counseling, was also effective. As was incentivizing tobacco smokersTrusted Source with a financial reward.

E-cigarettes have boomed in popularity over the past decade.

However, numerous questions remain about their safety, their role in smoking cessation, and their appealTrusted Source to teens and adolescents. The FDA has not approved any e-cigarette device for smoking cessation. Despite this, anecdotal reports and some researchTrusted Source have indicated that nicotine-containing e-cigarettes may help people quit.

Nevertheless, research on e-cigarettes is controversial, and other studies have found the opposite to be true.

Parents and policymakers have also sounded the alarm about the appeal of e-cigarettes, particularly flavored products, to children and teens.

The dilemma has led many to ask whether the devices do more harm than good.

But, without delving into the broad social and public health implications of e-cigarette usage, the evidence for e-cigarettes as tobacco-cessation devices is substantial, according to the review.

“Our research has found that there is very strong evidence that e-cigarettes are an effective way to help people quit smoking tobacco… While e-cigarettes are unlikely to be completely safe, we can be confident that they are far safer than smoking tobacco,” said Livingstone-Banks.

Hilary Tindle, MD, PhD, the Founding Director of ViTAL, the Vanderbilt Center for Tobacco, Addiction, and Lifestyle at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told Healthline, “The long-term safety of e-cigs is unknown. Furthermore, e-cigs are aggressively marketed to entice young people to begin using nicotine-containing products, so beyond helping adults quit smoking, there are major public health considerations.”

Tindle wasn’t affiliated with the research.

According to the American Lung Association, these are only a few of the positive health benefits you can experience when you stop smoking, and how quickly they can occur:

• Twenty minutes: heart rate and blood pressure drop.
• One day: your risk of heart attack is reduced.
• Three months: your lung function begins to improve.
• One year: your risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a person who smokes.
• Five years: your risk of mouth and throat cancer is half that of a person who smokes.
• Ten years: your risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a person who smokes.

To start quitting, Tindle recommends making a concrete plan:

“Set a target quit date, preferably within 2 weeks, and support your quit attempt with medication and counseling. This combination of support — rather than relying on one or neither — is key and leads to higher success rates,” she said.

Many people in the United States can access free counseling and medication through the hotline 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) and websites, including Smoke Free or the Mayo Clinic and Truth Initiative collaboration, BecomeAnEx.

“If someone does not succeed on the first quit attempt, keep trying. In the US, more than 50% of all people who ever smoked have now quit,” said Tindle.

Breakthrough: 3 Powerful Ways to Kick Smoking for Good (Science-Backed!)

Introduction:

Hey there, fellow health warriors! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re either trying to quit smoking or know someone who is. Well, buckle up because we’ve got some game-changing news for you. A recent study has uncovered the top three scientifically-proven methods to crush your smoking habit once and for all. No more guesswork, no more fad techniques – just cold, hard facts backed by research. Ready to breathe easier and live healthier? Let’s dive in!

Body:

The Smoking Struggle: Why It’s So Hard to Quit

Before we jump into the solutions, let’s talk about why quitting smoking is such a tough nut to crack. Nicotine, the primary addictive substance in cigarettes, rewires your brain to crave it constantly. It’s like having a tiny dictator in your head, demanding its fix every few hours. But don’t worry – science has your back!

The Big Reveal: Top 3 Methods to Crush Your Smoking Habit

1. Combination Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

Drumroll, please! The study’s top pick for smoking cessation is combination NRT. This method involves using two forms of nicotine replacement at the same time – usually a patch for steady, all-day nicotine release and a faster-acting form like gum or lozenges for sudden cravings.

Why it works:

• Addresses both background cravings and sudden urges
• Reduces withdrawal symptoms
• Allows you to gradually decrease nicotine intake

Success rate: According to the study, combination NRT increases your chances of quitting by a whopping 25% compared to using a single form of NRT.

2. Varenicline (Chantix)

Coming in at number two is varenicline, better known by its brand name Chantix. This prescription medication works by blocking nicotine receptors in your brain, making smoking less pleasurable and reducing cravings.

Why it works:

• Reduces the rewarding effects of nicotine
• Eases withdrawal symptoms
• Can be used while still smoking, allowing for a gradual quit

Success rate: Varenicline can double your chances of quitting compared to going cold turkey.

3. Behavioral Counseling + Medication

The bronze medal goes to a powerful combo: behavioral counseling paired with medication (either NRT or varenicline). This dynamic duo tackles both the physical and psychological aspects of smoking addiction.

Why it works:

• Addresses the habit and triggers associated with smoking
• Provides coping strategies for cravings
• Offers emotional support and accountability

Success rate: This method can increase your quit rate by up to 70% compared to trying to quit without support.

FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

Q: How long does it take to quit smoking using these methods?

A: While everyone’s journey is different, most people start seeing significant results within 12 weeks. However, it’s important to stick with your chosen method for at least 6 months to solidify your smoke-free lifestyle.

Q: Are these methods safe?

A: Yes! All three methods have been extensively studied and approved by health authorities. However, always consult with your doctor before starting any new medication or treatment plan.

Q: What about e-cigarettes or vaping?

A: While some people use e-cigarettes as a quitting aid, the long-term safety of vaping is still unknown. The study focused on methods with proven track records and long-term safety data.

Q: Can I combine all three methods?

A: It’s not recommended to combine varenicline with NRT. However, behavioral counseling can (and should!) be used alongside either medication option for best results.

There are many products and medications available to help you quit smoking, but it may be difficult to figure out which are the most effective.

A new review, which included more than 300 prior studies, has identified the three most effective tools to quit smoking.

The most effective smoking cessation tools include the medication varenicline (Chantix), the plant-derived cytisine (not available in the US), and nicotine-containing e-cigarettes.

Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do for your health.