Deciding to quit smoking is one thing, but following through is far more difficult. That’s because of a highly addictive substance found in cigarettes called nicotine. Nicotine, when inhaled, travels to the brain and provides a feeling of relaxation and may remove the feeling of stress. However, this feeling is only temporary, and it causes the smoker to crave cigarettes and their associated feelings. Furthermore, a smoker’s body goes into withdrawal fairly quickly after a cigarette, which adds to the craving for another cigarette to alleviate these withdrawal symptoms. Getting past withdrawal symptoms and not giving in to the cravings is often the most challenging part of quitting, but the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
