There are few things as hard as quitting smoking, since many who try going cold turkey more often than not fail. With the understanding that abrupt quitting rarely works, it is crucial to seek alternative methods. There is not sufficient scientific evidence that the substitute methods of quitting smoking work out successfully, but some people have been able to give up their smoking habits using these techniques. You need not feel that it is too late to quit smoking because irrespective of your age, there are tons of benefits to be reaped when you stop smoking.
The following are some alternatives that you can employ to kick your smoking habit:
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that mainly involves the insertion of thin needles in the skin at particular points along certain lines considered to be meridians (lines of energy). Used to deal with various mental and physical conditions, this ancient therapy has been observed to help with smoking cessation. Although it is not yet clear if acupuncture works for everyone, it has helped some people stop smoking or reduce their withdrawal symptoms.
2. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRTs)
Nicotine dependence is so powerful that it is no wonder it is so difficult to quit without any therapy, medication, or NRTs. NRTs help to minimize the cravings and the withdrawal symptoms smokers go through when they try to abandon smoking. They are made to wean the smoker’s body off cigarettes and give a controlled dose of nicotine, but cut off the supply of other chemicals found in tobacco. The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) has approved the following NRTs: lozenges, skin patches, chewing gum, inhalers and a nasal spray, of which the last two should be used with a prescription only.
3. E-cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes are deemed to be a less harmful alternative to smoking. Vaping has grown in popularity with an increase in access to e-cigarettes. You can easily purchase quality e-cigarettes and the necessary vaping accessories, like e-juice and devices, from Epuffer, one of the global market leaders in the manufacture and sale of vaping items that aims to help smokers lead a healthier lifestyle.
4. Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis involves altering a person’s state of awareness so that they seem to be in a trance and are more receptive to suggestions or psychological guidance. As a smoking cessation method, hypnotherapy aims to reduce one’s desire for cigarettes, or focuses the smoker’s mind on a program to quit smoking.
5. Laser therapy
This technique employs low-intensity beams of light or cold lasers that stimulate points in the body in the same manner as acupuncture. The concept behind this method is to have light stimulate endorphins (chemicals) in the brain to produce a relaxing effect, like the one nicotine has on the brain. However, the effectiveness of this method in helping to kick the smoking habit is not yet well proven.
Final thoughts
Quitting smoking varies from person to person, and everyone should choose the method that works best for themselves – be it the cold turkey method, a slow reduction in the number of cigarettes, or switching to e-cigarettes.
