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It is difficult to quit smoking, numerous attempts to give up tobacco often fail at the first serious stress, when a person “just once” takes a cigarette again, and everything returns to normal. But progress does not stand still! Scientists have found that taking the trace element lithium can make it easier to quit smoking, shorten the duration of nicotine withdrawal, and relieve psychological cravings for cigarettes in stressful situations.
She spoke about the mechanisms of formation of nicotine addiction and the help of lithium in quitting smoking. [1] neurologist, president of the international society “Stress under control”, doctor of medical sciences Elena Sergeevna Akarachkova.
As Dr. Akarachkova explained, smoking is not just a bad habit, but a combination of physiological and psychological dependence on nicotine.
Physiological (aka chemical) addiction to nicotine explained in the same way as addiction to any other psychoactive substance. Positive emotions and satisfaction from inhaling cigarette smoke quickly become addictive, because, penetrating into the blood, nicotine affects certain parts of the brain, which leads to the release of adrenaline and imitation of the effects of the “pleasure hormone” dopamine. As a result, a person has an increase in working capacity and mental activity, combined with an improvement in mood and a sense of calm. However, the effect of nicotine “euphoria” is very short-lived, an artificially induced rise is inevitably followed by a mood decline and the smoker’s brain gives a request to repeat the stimulation. In this case, the body quickly gets used to nicotine and there is a need to increase the dosage.
Psychological addiction to nicotine gets stronger with every cigarette smoked. So, over time, the morning without a cup of coffee and a cigarette ceases to be kind, smoking becomes the only easily accessible way to relieve stress, pass the waiting time, relieve irritation and relax, reward yourself after the work done.
When quitting cigarettes, physiological withdrawal reaches its maximum on the third or fourth day, then it subsides and its symptoms decrease and disappear over time, while psychological dependence does not go away on its own and a breakdown provoked by a stressful situation can occur even years after last cigarette smoked.
Lithium – normotimic from smoking
Medical scientists have found that both forms of smoking addiction can be counteracted by taking the trace element lithium, a mood stabilizer (normothymic), which replaces the dopamine effect of nicotine use and relieves withdrawal symptoms, reduces cravings for smoking and prevents relapses. Lithium also has a mild stimulating effect on the production of the hormone oxytocin, which causes a feeling of security, calmness, satisfaction – compensating for the lack of these sensations when quitting cigarettes.
Isn’t it harmful?
Currently, pharmacies offer preparations based on lithium carbonate and lithium ascorbate. Lithium carbonate preparations are used in psychiatry, are sold only by prescription and require monitoring of the concentration of lithium in the blood.
According to Dr. Akarachkova, science does not stand still and more effective and safer lithium salts have been developed recently. In particular, in our country, lithium ascorbate and preparations based on it are allowed for non-prescription use. The use of lithium ascorbate does not require monitoring of the concentration of lithium in the blood, since it is a safe compound, effective in small doses. Numerous studies have confirmed the safety of lithium ascorbate, so this substance can be used, including in vitamin and mineral complexes.
Vitamins with lithium for quitting cigarettes
For people who have firmly decided to quit smoking, it makes sense to pay attention to Normotim, a remedy containing vitamins and the optimal dosage of lithium ascorbate. Its use can help to get rid of nicotine addiction without breakdowns, stress and severe “withdrawal” even during periods of mental stress. And useful bonuses from taking vitamins with lithium ascorbate can be improved mood, increased stress resistance, protection of brain cells from aging, improved memory, and even sleep stabilization.