Quit Smoking: Benefits & Alternatives | Snushus

Quitting smoking brings many health benefits, but your health is not the only thing that improves over time.

Stopping smoking also has positive effects on your mental well-being, appearance, and of course your wallet. If you haven't yet found the motivation to quit smoking, take a close look at the benefits.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking: Health

Smoking can increase the risk of a number of diseases, with cancer—especially lung cancer—being the most prominent. In addition to cancer, smoking can also contribute to heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, and chronic bronchitis.

But that's not all; besides diseases, smoking also reduces quality of life, and studies show that smokers lose an average of 10 years of their lifespan.

What Happens in the Body?

Just 20 minutes after quitting, your blood pressure returns to normal. After 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops, allowing your organs to receive oxygen more effectively. As oxygen supply increases, your performance levels also improve.

After a few weeks, lung function improves and circulation becomes more stable. After a few months, coughing fits and shortness of breath decrease, and the lungs begin to cleanse themselves by gradually breaking down mucus.

After several years, the risk of cancer is reduced by half, and the risk of stroke also drops dramatically. After 15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease is as low as that of a non-smoker. So, sticking with it is definitely worth it.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking: Mental Health

Quitting smoking also offers mental health benefits. Withdrawal initially seems like a mental challenge because the body and brain have become accustomed to the daily intake of tobacco. But gradually, you will notice your mental health improving and realize that quitting was worth it.

Many smokers find it stressful to feel the constant need to smoke. The brain and body send signals that it’s time for the next cigarette. After quitting, these signals disappear and withdrawal symptoms lessen over time. Additionally, you no longer have to constantly search for cigarette machines and can focus on other aspects of life.

Finally, you no longer have to leave the building to smoke. You can comfortably spend time in a restaurant with friends or family.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking: Appearance and Finances

Smoking can negatively affect our appearance. Discoloration of nails, fingers, and teeth is a common problem. The skin also suffers greatly because the toxic substances in cigarettes attack cells, leading to changes in complexion and faster wrinkle formation.

Another important benefit is financial. To get a detailed overview of how much money you spend monthly on cigarettes, try listing your expenses. The money you save by not buying cigarettes is a great motivator to quit smoking.

Drawbacks of Quitting Smoking: Withdrawal Symptoms

Of course, quitting smoking is a major change for the body and does not happen without withdrawal symptoms. To successfully quit smoking, you need to get through the 7 phases of withdrawal. Common symptoms include increased irritability and aggression.

When the body no longer receives nicotine daily, the brain produces less adrenaline and serotonin, which have rewarding effects on our psyche. Additionally, dopamine—the so-called happiness hormone—is also lacking, which is why many smokers struggle with negative moods after quitting.

Furthermore, the body may react to withdrawal with headaches, concentration problems, sleep disturbances, increased appetite, and trembling.

How long these symptoms last varies from person to person and depends on how long they smoked before. According to former smokers’ experiences, symptoms usually subside about six to ten days after quitting.

Snus as an Alternative to Smoking

Snus is often used as an alternative to smoking because, with oral use of snus, no combustion process occurs, minimizing health risks compared to cigarettes.

Snus comes with varying nicotine levels; for example, the brand Thunder X WDP has a particularly high content of 45 mg/g. In comparison, there are also snus products with less nicotine, such as Lyft Freeze X-Strong with 17.1 mg/g.

Since a cold turkey quit is recommended for smokers who smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, snus can be a good alternative for a gradual withdrawal. Snus can even be purchased completely nicotine-free, as Edel CBD Mint contains no nicotine at all.