Quitting smoking brings many benefits. We have summarized the details for you and offer alternatives to cigarettes.
Quitting smoking brings many health benefits, but your health is not the only thing that improves over time.
Stopping smoking also has a positive effect on your mental health, 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, because besides diseases, smoking also reduces quality of life, and studies show that smokers lose on average 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 be better supplied with oxygen. As oxygen supply increases, your performance also improves.
After a few weeks, lung function improves and circulation stabilizes. After a few months, coughing fits and shortness of breath decrease, and the lungs begin to clean themselves by gradually breaking down mucus.
After several years, the risk of cancer is cut in 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 it’s definitely worth sticking with 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 very accustomed to the daily intake of tobacco. But gradually, you will notice your mental health improving and that quitting was worth it.
Many smokers find it stressful to have to smoke constantly. 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 look for cigarette machines and can focus on other aspects of life.
Last but not least, 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 finances. To get a detailed overview of how much money you spend monthly on cigarettes, try listing your expenses. The money you could save by quitting smoking is a great motivator.
Drawbacks of Quitting Smoking: Withdrawal Symptoms
Of course, quitting smoking is a big change for the body and does not happen without withdrawal symptoms. To successfully quit smoking, you must get through the 7 phases after 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 missing, 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, they 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 oral use of snus involves no combustion process, minimizing health risks compared to cigarettes.
Snus comes with varying nicotine levels; for example, the brand edel has a particularly high content of up to 20 mg/g. In comparison, there are also snus products with less nicotine, such as VELO Spiffy Spearmint Mini with 8 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.
