Can Popping a Pill Help You Stop Smoking?

by Bryce Smith on March 19, 2009

There’s a wide array of products available that claim to help you stop smoking. The difficulty, however, lies in the fact that smoking encompasses physical as well as psychological addiction. That doubles the effort required to stop smoking. In their attempts to end their addiction, people have tried everything from hypnosis to patches to laser treatments. All too often, however, people return to their old ways.

However, there’s a new solution that seems to offer more promise to smokers who are trying to quit. It’s known as Chantix, and it’s a prescription quit smoking pill. It’s manufactured by Pfizer and approved by the FDA. When taking this medication, smokers stand a much better chance of quitting for good. This medication has shown impressive results to date with its brand new way of combating the addiction to nicotine.

Before the availability of Chantix, smokers looking for a prescription solution were often given Buproprion. More people know this medication as Wellbutrin, which is a commonly prescribed antidepressant. Research on the effects of Wellbutrin showed that it was helpful in diminishing cravings in the brain’s nicotine receptors. This led to reduced dependency on the cigarette high in many people. Of course, that made it much easier for them to quit.

However, Wellbutrin is really meant to treat depression, not to curb cravings for nicotine. So researchers decided to pursue other options. As a base, they used what had been learned from using Wellbutrin to help smokers quit.

Chantix is the result of these research efforts. This drug affects the nicotine receptors differently from the way in which Wellbutrin works. Chantix works by releasing into the brain small amounts of dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical produced in the brain which makes you feel good.

The chemical tricks the receptors in the brain into thinking that nicotine is present in the system. So it doesn’t send out any distress calls that it needs nicotine. This translates into less severe withdrawal symptoms for the smoker.

Perhaps you’ve tried every method available to help you quit smoking for good, with no success. If that’s the case, you might want to consider this latest prescription treatment. Many people have experienced excellent results, without the pain of withdrawal. Of course, you’ll have to talk to your doctor in order to get a prescription. That will be a perfect opportunity to learn more about the drug, its benefits and possible side effects. And don’t neglect researching the subject yourself.

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