Sudden nicotine withdrawal has a number of effects on the body and psyche. You can find out what to expect here in the article!

 

How does nicotine withdrawal manifest itself?

Sudden nicotine withdrawal has a number of effects on the body and psyche. In order to increase the chances of success of smoking cessation, consumers of nicotine-containing products should inform themselves beforehand about what withdrawal symptoms await them and how long they last. We will explain to you what the typical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are and how you can best reduce them.

 

What is nicotine withdrawal?

With regular consumption of nicotine-containing products, the body develops dependence. The dependence is noticeable in the fact that consumers develop an ever-increasing craving for cigarettes or other products with nicotine. They lose control over the number of products they take and have to take an ever-increasing amount to achieve the same effect.

Over time, our body creates more nicotinic receptors in the brain that bind the nicotine to itself. The more receptors there are, the more nicotine is needed. There is a development of tolerance and the usual amount is no longer sufficient to achieve the same tobacco effect on the mind as stress relief. If a consumer abruptly stops using nicotine-containing products, withdrawal symptoms appear.

 

When does nicotine withdrawal start?

Nicotine has the ability to suppress negative feelings such as stress, anxiety, and irritability. If a smoking stop occurs, our cells are irritated by the lack of nicotine supply and react to it with the typical withdrawal symptoms. Consumers feel stressed, are easily irritable, and have trouble concentrating. The withdrawal symptoms from smoking last from a few days to a few weeks. The length of a nicotine withdrawal is determined by the amount ingested and the duration of the dependence.

 

The individual phases at a glance:

• Shortly after the last cigarette, the effect of the nicotine decreases and the body demands replenishment.
• After about ten hours without a cigarette, consumers feel increasingly restless.
• After 24 hours, irritability increases and appetite increases.
• After two days, nicotine breakdown begins and many sufferers complain of headaches.
• After three to five days, the nicotine in the body is completely broken down and the craving for the next cigarette also decreases. However, some smokers report anxiety during this time. In many cases, smokers also cough more because the cilia start to grow again.
• After two to four weeks, smokers feel that they are low on energy and cannot concentrate well.

• After five weeks, the nicotine addiction should be over, but even here the brain can send signals from time to time and ask for a cigarette.

For most smokers, the first five days after nicotine withdrawal are the worst. Over time, the withdrawal symptoms decrease and the body regenerates.

 

What are the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal

The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal start only a few hours after the last cigarette. The intensity of the symptoms varies and some smokers even report no or very minor symptoms. Common symptoms include restlessness, depressed mood, tiredness, nervousness, irritability, increased appetite, and lack of concentration.

 

How to reduce nicotine withdrawal?

If you want to quit smoking you have two options: Either the consumption is abruptly stopped (cold withdrawal) or the amount of tobacco is gradually reduced. A gradual withdrawal does not put quite as much strain on the body and mind and has a higher chance of success. To achieve a reduction in nicotine, you can take snus instead of cigarettes. The amount of nicotine varies, and you can gradually decrease it until your body no longer needs nicotine at all.

 

Conclusion – Nicotine withdrawal has an impact on the body and mind

Nicotine withdrawal has a number of effects on the body and mind. The body gets used to the regular supply of nicotine and seems irritated to stop smoking. The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal start just a few hours after the last cigarette and last for different lengths of time. Common withdrawal symptoms include headaches, nervousness, anxiety, and increased irritability. Since cold turkey is a burden for many, a gradual reduction in the amount of nicotine should be tried.