Your Stop Smoking Blog

A common misconception among many people today when they ask how to stop smoking pot is that marijuana is much like cigarettes in that they are physically addictive and so very hard to stop smoking because of cravings within the body. These cravings can drive you to distraction unless you have a smoke to calm down. This in fact is totally incorrect and is probably just a mish mash of misinformation likening a joint to a cigarette because you smoke them and of course the fact many other drugs are very addictive chemically like cigarettes.

Marijuana has no chemical like nicotine that addicts people; instead pot is psychologically addictive. This means that the urge to continue smoking pot is more about you wanting to gain a high rather than your body needing the drug to stop its pain. Stopping smoking pot is hard only because you do not want to subconsciously.

Now this does not mean that it is easy to quit pot or that you are lacking willpower however. Psychological addictions can be very problematic as people with gambling problems can tell you and requires a great deal more introspection into your own motives and weaknesses so you can pin down the real reason you keep coming back to marijuana time and time again.

To do this however you do not need to go “cold turkey” and simply stop and try to live your life the same as before but without the drugs. This is sometimes the worst thing you can do as there is often a huge gap in your life that can seem big and cold and empty and that time you used to “escape” by smoking pot can lead to you failing in your attempt to quit and falling back into the habit or by picking up another addiction that could be even worse.

To combat this while you sort out the underlying reasons for your addiction it is vitally important to find something healthy and fulfilling to fill that gap such as:

Meditation
The art of meditation can really help pot smokers by allowing time to be spent clearing ones thoughts and those that become very good at it discover they can achieve a different sort of high that though is different to the drug is fulfilling and healthy. By clearing your mind with meditation you can also help sort of the more difficult things in your life that seem so complicated and difficult normally and which just fade away when on drugs.

Hobbies
Finding a rewarding hobby is also a great way to take your mind off marijuana. By occupying your thoughts with something creative like drawing, painting, writing or many other things you can find new talents and new ways of self fulfillment that last beyond a chemically induced high. It can also be an outlet for pent up emotions that may be triggering your desire to get high.

Exercise
While increased exercise is great for your health in general exercise allows pent up energy and frustrations to be spent in a good way. Smoking weed often represses these things making the problems worse. Engaging in a team sport is also a great way to make new friends and contacts that are not into drugs if your current group of friends are still into them making it hard to engage socially. Activities such as yoga are also great to combine with meditation.

If you can fill your life with healthy, rewarding and fulfilling pursuits you will find the need to use marijuana will be greatly reduced and allow you to see your life clearly without the haze of weed clouding your judgment. In the end, how to smoking pot is about finding the root cause of your addiction which can only be done by taking the time and impetus for the drug. Even with these new activities you can fall back into the habit without psychological adjustment and understanding however but it is the first step of being free!

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Although many smokers might think that the damage is already present or that it is too late to bother, scientific studies show us otherwise. Studies say that the benefits are immediate, while being long lasting in results.

Do you know that in just the first hour after you stop smoking your pulse rate and blood pressure decrease, while the internal temperature of your hands and feet will increase? Smoking on the other hand constricts blood vessels, while raising the heart rate, because of the compounds produced within the body. Once you flush these toxins from the body, it will return to its normal state of being.

Within just a few hours, the levels of carbon monoxide in the blood will return to normal. Smoking exposes you to CO, which binds with hemoglobin – the molecule that helps transport oxygen through the blood stream. However, this will reduce the amount of oxygen available. The CO levels will decrease, which will increase the available oxygen, while encouraging it to do its job properly, but feeding all the tissues, which work to sustain your life.

The risk of a heart attack will be on a downswing after the first 24 hours. Your nerve endings change, 48 hours after you stop smoking, since the stimulation induced by soaking them in nicotine reduces drastically. You begin to recover your natural sensations, while at the same time, your sense of smell and taste begins its recovery. You sense of smell is much sharper, while you notice that food tastes fresher than it has in a long while.

Within a couple of weeks, the craving for nicotine tapers off, only to return, if at all at random times over the following months. The circulatory system begins to recover, while gradually the ability to exercise without a shortness of breath or wheezing occurs. You will be able to once again exercise normally within the next few weeks and months, as you commence with a regular exercise routine.

The sinus congestion and hacking cough, common among smokers begins to decrease considerably over the next few months. Your overall energy level increases, while smoke induced fatigue begins to drop as your body systems regenerate to a peak level of functioning.

The risk of stroke drops suddenly, while you keep to your long-term commitment to stop smoking. Do you know that the risk doubles for smokers in comparison to non-smokers? Within a year, it drops by half. Within five to fifteen years, the risk drops down to the level of those who have never even picked up a cigarette.

Similar risks of larynx or lung cancer, pancreas, bladder and others will drop to that of a lifelong non-smoker. Studies show that 87% of lung cancers are those who are a long-term heavy smoker. When you stop smoking, you remove yourself from that group within a few short years.

Stopping smoking is a permanent commitment to long-term health. Its alternative leads to an increased risk of stroke, coronary disease, various cancers, COPD and other acute medical complications. You can beat the odds, when you stop smoking now!

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Smoking used to be cool. It was a way to be independent, to be rebellious, to show your strength. But since the medical world has linked smoking to so many health issues, it has lost favor in society. More and more, smokers are being made aware that though they may be welcome in public places, their habit of smoking is not.

You used to be able to smoke on airplanes, in restaurants, even in some offices. But those days are gone, and many smokers are ready to quit, freeing themselves from a habit that costs them time, money and health.

There are many options to help smokers quit – nicotine patches and gum are sold at most every grocery store and drugstore, supposedly helping smokers wean themselves from the nicotine in the cigarettes. Do they work? According to the Shiffman “Real-world” study, only 3% of those using the Rx nicotine patch and 9.2% of those using the OTC patch were not smoking at six months. In the nicotine gum groups, only 7.7% of the Rx gum group and 8.4% in the OTC gum group were not smoking at six months. Sadly, the average for the four groups was just 7%.

Then there are the stop smoking pills that have become available…according to studies, they can be effective for a small percentage of people, but the side affects are a bit dramatic. People taking Chantrix, for example, can suffer from anxiety, nervousness, tension, depressed mood, unusual behaviors and thinking about or attempting suicide. I think I’d rather smoke.

Many studies have proven the effectiveness of counseling and hypnosis for smoking. In many study groups, counseling along with another treatment method boosted results noticeably, and counseling or therapy on it’s own has been show to be effective with smokers trying to quit cold turkey.

Hypnosis has been proven very effective for smoking cessation, citing reports of 40% to more than 60% success, even after 6 months and beyond. Yes, there are side effects…let’s see. Increased self esteem, improved health, sense of well being, decrease in anxiety and nervousness. That sounds a lot better than unusual behaviors and depression!

There are a few things you should know about hypnosis. It’s easy, you’re totally in control, and it can be a profound experience. Hypnosis is simply a relaxed, meditative-like state where you can access and change your inner beliefs – and habits, like smoking. Habits come from your inner, subconscious mind, so doesn’t it make sense that you can change habits by visiting that part of your mind? Your hypnotist is simply your guide.

Many people think they can’t be hypnotized, but they just don’t understand what hypnosis really is. Most people go into a state of hypnosis every day, while reading a book, watching TV or even driving a car (ever heard of highway hypnosis?). It’s simply a focused state of awareness where your subconscious mind is accessible.

A good hypnotist will spend time with you, helping you understand their program, which can range from one to more than twelve sessions. When you choose a hypnotist, you’ll want to find one that does more than just read you a script. More seasoned hypnotists will help you find the reasons that you are compelled to smoke, and help you resolve them. They will have techniques to help desensitize you from smoking, and retrain your brain for success as a non-smoker.

To be successful in a hypnosis session, you’ll want to find a hypnotist that makes you feel comfortable and at ease, and one with a structured stop smoking program. Find out how many sessions they usually recommend for smoking cessation, and whether they charge by the session or the program. One hypnotist may charge $200, and have a reputation for helping you quit in just one session, another may charge just $50 per session, but sell you a 12-session program. Either way, however, you win. Just consider how much money you’ll be saving when you quit! You’ll be doing your body, mind and wallet a favor.

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Smoking is a dangerous addiction for countless Americans creating a myriad of problems, social and medical. Some people are at risk for losing a job because many companies have banned smoking from the workplace. While it is undeniable that smoking is a difficult addiction to stop, laser therapy may help.

Smoking laser therapy works in a different way than other treatments to stop smoking. Conventional methods involve substituting nicotine in patches or lozenges or even using fake cigarettes to block the craving or can utilize drugs meant to block the addictive cravings. Quit smoking laser treatments block the cravings by using the body’s natural endorphins to block cravings.

Among the many disadvantages to using nicotine substitutes or other devices is the fact that the addiction and craving for the nicotine still exist. A more effective means of controlling the addiction is to reduce the craving. Quit smoking laser treatment achieves the goal of inhibiting the habit and addiction of nicotine use.

The concepts of the ancient science of acupuncture and acupressure are used in quit smoking laser therapy to deal with the addiction of smoking. Instead of needles and pressure to achieve results, quit smoking laser therapy uses high tech low level lasers. These mild laser rays are directed to the same points that acupressure and acupuncture use. The cravings are taken away when the laser rays are applied to the points for a short period of time.

The quit smoking laser is placed to points that are on the hands, wrists, arms, ears, and the side of the nose. During the treatment there is no pain, and the whole process generally takes less than thirty minutes. Psychological aid is also offered since smoking is a habit that also involved patterns of behavior as well as the physical cravings. Patients are given some alternate behavior patterns to invoke rather than grabbing a cigarette, which is something that can happen even when the addictive impulse has been suppressed.

“Quit smoking laser” treatments produce hardly any adverse effects. Actually a number of beneficial results are documented, among them suppression of hunger, which is a real plus for cigarette smokers afraid of the prospect of weight gain once they cease smoking. A feeling of a sense of calm is also reported by a number of clients.

In order to stop using tobacco products, it usually only takes one laser treatment. Some patients may need more than that, but on average one session cures the addiction. Naturally, it also requires a great deal of motivation in order to stop yourself from smoking a cigarette even with the craving gone. Regardless, one of the most efficient and fast ways to quit smoking is laser treatment.

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Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is simply the quickest and most effective way to deal with doubts, obstacles, triggers, cravings, concerns, and emotions that most people who are quitting smoking have to deal with. Not only does EFT help make the transition to non-smoker easier, it better equips ex-smokers to deal with any stressful situations that may cause a relapse.

EFT was founded by Gary Craig, a Stanford Engineer, Ordained Minister and Personal Performance Coach. You can download a free how-to manual from his website (www.emofree.com). EFT is simply emotional acupuncture without the needles. Our bodies are made up of subtle energies. When negative emotions are present, it’s simply a disruption of the bodies energy system. With EFT you stimulate certain meridian points by tapping on them, and it tends to balance the energy flow in our body. EFT is simple to learn, gentle and easy to use, can be used anywhere, only take minutes, and has such great results.

Here are the EFT basic steps to Stop Smoking:
1. Write down all doubts, triggers, emotions, obstacles, and concerns you have about quitting smoking? (I doubt that I can quit smoking or quitting smoking is too stressful)

2. Evaluate the intensity level of each issue or emotion on a 1 to 10 scale (10 being the most). (Doubt – 8, Stress – 7)

3. Set up the affirmation and reminder phrase starting with the most intense issue first.

Affirmation – Even though I doubt I can quit smoking, I deeply and completely accept myself, or Even though I think quitting smoking will be too stressful, I deeply and completely accept myself.
Reminder phrase – My doubts about quitting smoking and My stressful feelings about quitting smoking.

4. Begin tapping lightly on the following meridian points on one side of your body using your index finger and middle finger with either hand, as you speak the phrases out loud. (To view a chart of the tapping points go to www.mindbodytapping.com)

Karate Chop – “Even though I doubt I can quit smoking, I deeply and completely accept myself.” (Repeat 3 times). Eye Brow (Beginning of your eye brow near the top of your nose) – “My doubts about quitting smoking” Side of the eye – “I doubt I can quit smoking” Below the eye – “My doubts about quitting smoking” Under the nose – “Doubt I can quit smoking” Middle of the chin – “All the other things I have tried did not work” Under the collarbone – “I really just doubt I can quit smoking” Under the armpit – “My doubts about quitting smoking” Top of the head – “Doubt I can quit smoking”

5. Take a deep breath.

6. Re-evaluate the intensity level of the issue using the 1 to 10 scale.

7. Tap a second round (Continue tapping as many rounds as you need to reduce the intensity level of the issue below a 3).

8. Move onto the next emotion or issue startingwith the Evaluation #2.

9. Once you have removed all of your doubts, fears, concerns, and obstacles, you are ready to quit smoking. 10. For the first few weeks, use EFT at least three times each day to deal with any emotions,or issues that come up.

To Stop Smoking Today, I recommend you find a local Board Certified Hypnotist who uses EFT as part of their Stop Smoking Program.

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Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is simply the quickest and most effective way to deal with doubts, obstacles, triggers, cravings, concerns, and emotions that most people who are quitting smoking have to deal with. Not only does EFT help make the transition to non-smoker easier, it better equips ex-smokers to deal with any stressful situations that may cause a relapse.

EFT was founded by Gary Craig, a Stanford Engineer, Ordained Minister and Personal Performance Coach. You can download a free how-to manual from his website (www.emofree.com). EFT is simply emotional acupuncture without the needles. Our bodies are made up of subtle energies. When negative emotions are present, it’s simply a disruption of the bodies energy system. With EFT you stimulate certain meridian points by tapping on them, and it tends to balance the energy flow in our body. EFT is simple to learn, gentle and easy to use, can be used anywhere, only take minutes, and has such great results.

Here are the EFT basic steps to Stop Smoking:
1. Write down all doubts, triggers, emotions, obstacles, and concerns you have about quitting smoking? (I doubt that I can quit smoking or quitting smoking is too stressful)

2. Evaluate the intensity level of each issue or emotion on a 1 to 10 scale (10 being the most). (Doubt – 8, Stress – 7)

3. Set up the affirmation and reminder phrase starting with the most intense issue first.

Affirmation – Even though I doubt I can quit smoking, I deeply and completely accept myself, or Even though I think quitting smoking will be too stressful, I deeply and completely accept myself.
Reminder phrase – My doubts about quitting smoking and My stressful feelings about quitting smoking.

4. Begin tapping lightly on the following meridian points on one side of your body using your index finger and middle finger with either hand, as you speak the phrases out loud. (To view a chart of the tapping points go to www.mindbodytapping.com)

Karate Chop – “Even though I doubt I can quit smoking, I deeply and completely accept myself.” (Repeat 3 times). Eye Brow (Beginning of your eye brow near the top of your nose) – “My doubts about quitting smoking” Side of the eye – “I doubt I can quit smoking” Below the eye – “My doubts about quitting smoking” Under the nose – “Doubt I can quit smoking” Middle of the chin – “All the other things I have tried did not work” Under the collarbone – “I really just doubt I can quit smoking” Under the armpit – “My doubts about quitting smoking” Top of the head – “Doubt I can quit smoking”

5. Take a deep breath.

6. Re-evaluate the intensity level of the issue using the 1 to 10 scale.

7. Tap a second round (Continue tapping as many rounds as you need to reduce the intensity level of the issue below a 3).

8. Move onto the next emotion or issue startingwith the Evaluation #2.

9. Once you have removed all of your doubts, fears, concerns, and obstacles, you are ready to quit smoking. 10. For the first few weeks, use EFT at least three times each day to deal with any emotions,or issues that come up.

To Stop Smoking Today, I recommend you find a local Board Certified Hypnotist who uses EFT as part of their Stop Smoking Program.

Technorati Tags: Emotional, Freedom, smoking, stop, Technique, using

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is simply the quickest and most effective way to deal with doubts, obstacles, triggers, cravings, concerns, and emotions that most people who are quitting smoking have to deal with. Not only does EFT help make the transition to non-smoker easier, it better equips ex-smokers to deal with any stressful situations that may cause a relapse.

EFT was founded by Gary Craig, a Stanford Engineer, Ordained Minister and Personal Performance Coach. You can download a free how-to manual from his website (www.emofree.com). EFT is simply emotional acupuncture without the needles. Our bodies are made up of subtle energies. When negative emotions are present, it’s simply a disruption of the bodies energy system. With EFT you stimulate certain meridian points by tapping on them, and it tends to balance the energy flow in our body. EFT is simple to learn, gentle and easy to use, can be used anywhere, only take minutes, and has such great results.

Here are the EFT basic steps to Stop Smoking:
1. Write down all doubts, triggers, emotions, obstacles, and concerns you have about quitting smoking? (I doubt that I can quit smoking or quitting smoking is too stressful)

2. Evaluate the intensity level of each issue or emotion on a 1 to 10 scale (10 being the most). (Doubt – 8, Stress – 7)

3. Set up the affirmation and reminder phrase starting with the most intense issue first.

Affirmation – Even though I doubt I can quit smoking, I deeply and completely accept myself, or Even though I think quitting smoking will be too stressful, I deeply and completely accept myself.
Reminder phrase – My doubts about quitting smoking and My stressful feelings about quitting smoking.

4. Begin tapping lightly on the following meridian points on one side of your body using your index finger and middle finger with either hand, as you speak the phrases out loud. (To view a chart of the tapping points go to www.mindbodytapping.com)

Karate Chop – “Even though I doubt I can quit smoking, I deeply and completely accept myself.” (Repeat 3 times). Eye Brow (Beginning of your eye brow near the top of your nose) – “My doubts about quitting smoking” Side of the eye – “I doubt I can quit smoking” Below the eye – “My doubts about quitting smoking” Under the nose – “Doubt I can quit smoking” Middle of the chin – “All the other things I have tried did not work” Under the collarbone – “I really just doubt I can quit smoking” Under the armpit – “My doubts about quitting smoking” Top of the head – “Doubt I can quit smoking”

5. Take a deep breath.

6. Re-evaluate the intensity level of the issue using the 1 to 10 scale.

7. Tap a second round (Continue tapping as many rounds as you need to reduce the intensity level of the issue below a 3).

8. Move onto the next emotion or issue startingwith the Evaluation #2.

9. Once you have removed all of your doubts, fears, concerns, and obstacles, you are ready to quit smoking. 10. For the first few weeks, use EFT at least three times each day to deal with any emotions,or issues that come up.

To Stop Smoking Today, I recommend you find a local Board Certified Hypnotist who uses EFT as part of their Stop Smoking Program.

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According to the CDC, an estimated, 20.8% of all adults (45.3 million people) smoke cigarettes in the United States. In 2004, Lung Cancer was responsible for more deaths than prostate, breast and colon cancer combined. Over 80% of those deaths are related to smoking cigarettes.

Approximately, four out of five smokers would like to quit . The key is finding the right method.

7 popular quit smoking methods:

1. Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a safe and natural state of awareness that allows you to use the power of your subconscious mind to quickly change habits and control behaviors. Hypnosis has one of the higher success rates compared to other methods as long as you work with a professional Certified Hypnotist and having a strong desire to quit. In many cases this can be accomplished in just one session.

2. EFT
EFT is an emotional version of acupuncture without the needles. You tap on certain meridian points to balance the energy system in your body. EFT is simple to learn, gentle and easy to use, can be used anywhere, only takes minutes, and has such great results. EFT is most effective when used in conjunction with another stop smoking method.

3. Prescription drugs
Various prescription drugs (Chantix, Zyban, Nicotrol) have helped many people to quit smoking. The success rates are not as high as some of the other methods, and the possible negative side effects can be intense. Talk to your Doctor for more information.

4. Nicotine Replacement
Gum, patches, lozenges are all types of nicotine replacement products. These products tend to have a fairly low success rate, and may have some potential negative side effects. They are most effective when used in conjunction with another stop smoking method or program. Before trying any nicotine replacement product please consult your Doctor.

5. Cold turkey
This is the most popular stop smoking method, but has the lowest success rate. Many people fail, because in order to be successful at quitting cold turkey you need to be 100% committed. Having a smoking cessation plan will increase your chance of success.

6. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient chinese treatment that involves balancing the natural energies in the body by placing needles into certain meridian points. This helps curb the desire to smoke. Being successful with acupuncture may require multiple treatments and a strong desire to quit. There is not enough scientific evidence to determine the success rate of acupuncture.

7. Laser therapy
Low level laser is a modern day version of acupuncture. When the laser is applied to certain points on the face, ears, and hands, it releases endorphins that helps reduce the stress associated with cravings. The FDA ruled that the use of low level laser is a safe and non-significant risk. As with acupuncture, there is not enough scientific evidence to determine the success rate of low level laser therapy.

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It’s been well laid out that stop smoking benefits commence just about instantly after you eventually arrive at the conclusion to go “smokeless”. Typically within less than half a day your body begins the procedure of naturally mending itself.

As your body commences purging itself of the carbon monoxide gas & Nicotine in your system you might go through what personifies drug withdrawal symptoms. You shouldn’t worry too much as this is perfectly normal following any dependency. Instead of becoming worried be allowing yourself to focus on these temporary effects, it is better to consider the long full term health benefits.

Just about instantly your blood pressure will start to go back to its natural state, likewise so will your pulse rate drop to normal. Normally inside just a few days you’ll observe a few impressive deviations in the way you physically feel. A large number of ex-smokers have reported improvements to their sense of taste and likewise to their sense of smell. You’ll likewise begin to feel that you can breathe easier too, and ultimately your smokers cough should begin to diminish.

Within less than a week, your risk of sustaining a heart attack lessens dramatically. The nerve ends that bear damage due to your smoking habit will begin repairing themselves.

After less than a month of not smoking your circulatory system will be improving which has the benefit of giving you more energy and you will find you won’t get tired as easily as before. The most important factor of all is that your lungs will begin a healing process. Over quit a short period you will find your lung capacity anywhere will increase by up to one third. The fine hairs called cilia in your lungs will commence regrowth, helping to keep your lungs clearer and step-up your power to battle infections.

As you are able to see, the stop smoking benefits by far beat any of the hazards that you were opening yourself up to if you did carry on smoking. After 12 months of not smoking at all, research has demonstrated that you foreshorten your danger of coronary thrombosis disease by at least 50%. After five years your probabilities of enduring a stroke are just about equivalent to that of a person how has never, ever smoked at all.

Never forget, this determination that you’ve arrived at is a lifetime dedication to remaining in good health. As you continue to avoid smoking you will begin to add days to your lifespan. You will also begin to importantly shrink your chances of being diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer, pulmonary emphysema, cerebrovascular accident, and lung disease.

I’m sure you already are well aware that the smoking habit kills more than 300,000 people every year. Chilling statistics once you stop to think of them. An additional plus factor is absolving yourself from the encumbrance of the sheer expense of smoking. You will no more incur be faced with the expense of cigarettes or the cost of the extra healthcare called for if you were to continue to carry on smoking.

Try to consider giving up smoking like a journey. A journey that will guide to a more well-preserved and healthier life. The stop smoking benefits, once you sit down back and think about them objectively, far outweigh the effects of preserving a habit that will at length guide you to an early grave.