Smoking cessation consists of counseling, determination, goal setting and varied methods of nicotine withdrawal. Solutions may include a nicotine patch or gum, hypnosis, yoga, medication, or some other form of mind body activity to find alternate pathways of focus. Sometimes combinations of therapies are used. Occasionally one gets focused on a single solution such as chewing gum. For some, chewing Nicorette has become a lifestyle.
What is Nicorette Gum?
Nicorette gum is a concentrated form of nicotine originally created to replace cigarette craving when smoking wasn’t possible, such as on a plane or in a movie theater. Now it is used to wean the smoker off tobacco/nicotine in a gradual way by decreasing the amounts of nicotine absorbed into the body/brain barrier.
With Nicorette chewing, the habit of lighting a cigarette and inhaling is suppressed but the new habit of breaking apart the gum from its crackling wrapper and popping it into the mouth is substituted. Nicorette gum is nicotine, the addictive substance in smoked tobacco minus the offending gases and tars in filtered and unfiltered cigarettes. The gum comes in a variety of flavors.
Who Cant Chew Nicotine Gum?
Some smokers, including those in the following categories, are advised not to use the gum:
- Although the toothless can smoke, those without a good set of teeth can’t chew.
- children or underage smokers
- pregnant or breastfeeding women or those who plan on getting pregnant,since the nicotine can cross the blood brain barriers and be excreted in breast milk. (Pregnancy category D)
- those with nicotine allergies
- asthmatics or those with cardiac disease
Using Nicorette Long Term
Smoked nicotine enters the brain within seconds of inhalation, producing a mild euphoria or relaxation. Repeating this ingestion eventually alters brain chemistry and induces craving. The gum theoretically controls the flow of nicotine to the brain without the toxic carcinogens. Continuing to use the gum continues the dopamine imbalance, causing the mind to want more nicotine to feed the brain and body creating a negative mind body fitness state.
Smokers justify the substitution in the following ways:
- It saves money since can buy the gum in bulk and as a generic.
- They like the taste.
- Gum chewers say they aren’t polluting the air.
- There is no offensive second hand smoke.
- They claim to feel healthier.
The Negative Side of Long Term Nicorette Addiction
Nicotine is released through the mucosal lining satisfying oral craving. Extending the recommended dose belies admitting smoking cessation failure. There are negative effects to this action, just as there are negative sides to smokeless tobacco in the form of snuff or chewing tobacco.
- hair loss
- indigestion from over dosing, belching, gastric upset
- weight loss
- mouth sores
- constant chewing may cause faces spasms and jaw pain or aggravation of TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction)
- sore throats
- headaches
- risk of choking as gum is chewed especially when consuming alcohol
Stopping smoking is a serious endeavor with positive health consequences. Continuing to chew nicotine may deter some but not all, of the positives of stopping cigarettes. It is just a step toward well-being.
References and Additional Information:
Prescribers Letter 2008; 15(7):240706
The Lancet, Volume 334, Issue 8672, Page 1164
WhyQuit.com
1-800-QUIT-NOW
Nicotine Anonymous
Amy Andersen - Amy Andersen, MSN, ARNP, family & pediatrics certified, practices yoga and explores the inter-relationships of mind body fitness and ...
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