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Gum and Patch Smoking Alternatives

When people think about quitting smoking, the most common methods that come to mind are the nicotine patch and nicotine gum. Even though these methods can be effective, there are several alternative methods you can try, either alone or along with the patch or gum. Before attempting any method, first consult your physician about which will be best for your health. Then, develop a positive mental attitude.

  1. Hypnosis

    • Hypnosis is often successful to modify behaviors such as smoking tobacco. The hypnotist typically begins treatment by taking a thorough case history so a root cause of the negative behavior can be identified. Then, over a series of several sessions the client is placed into a state of extreme relaxation in which the offending habit is gradually replaced with non-destructive habit, such as chewing gum or eating a healthy snack. By involving your mouth or hands with something else, you will be able to replace the act of smoking a cigarette.

    Acupuncture

    • Acupuncture is a controversial treatment. Although certain people believe that it's effective, the Mayo Clinic states that "several studies have found that acupuncture has little or no effect." It is a method derived from Chinese medicine, which involves the placement of needles in the body. Typically they are placed at the ears, the top of the head and on the feet. Although this method has gained popularity, the success is probably no more than a placebo effect.

    Meditation

    • Meditation, which is defined as a refocus of the patient's thoughts, has been shown to be effective when combined with traditional smoking cessation methods. One common meditation practice is deep breathing -- focusing the mind by breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. If you feel the need to smoke, simply close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Empty your mind of all thoughts and try to concentrate on nothing else but your breath. By routinely practicing meditation, you may gain control of your mind and can learn to better deal with your addiction.

    St. John's Wort

    • St John's wort is a natural herb that people use to treat a variety of ailments, including depression and anxiety. People can also use it to help ease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. The human body contains dopamine, which helps manage movement and emotions. Since the dopamine levels in a smoker's body drop during the withdrawal process, St. John's wort is extremely helpful when the patient initially quits. This is because St. John's wort contains hyperforin, which balances dopamine levels in the human body. You should begin taking the herb approximately one week before you stop smoking so it can build up in your body to ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

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