Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)
Synopsis of Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)
Tobacco addiction is a dependence on nicotine, the addictive substance found in cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless products like chewing tobacco and snuff. Nicotine stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, reinforcing tobacco use. Regular consumption leads to tolerance (requiring more to achieve the same effect) and withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit.
Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of preventable diseases and death worldwide, linked to conditions such as heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and various cancers (especially lung and oral cancers). Despite these risks, nicotine's addictive properties make quitting challenging.
Types:
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Smoking addiction: Dependence on cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.
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Smokeless tobacco addiction: Includes chewing tobacco, snuff, or dissolvable tobacco products.
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Polytobacco use: Using multiple tobacco products concurrently.
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Nicotine dependence without tobacco: Includes nicotine patches, gum, or e-cigarettes (vaping) in some cases.
Common Causes:
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Nicotine’s effect on the brain: Stimulates dopamine release, reinforcing tobacco use.
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Social and environmental triggers: Peer pressure, social situations, or stress encourage tobacco use.
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Habitual routines: Associating tobacco use with daily activities (e.g., after meals, during breaks).
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Genetic predisposition: Some individuals are more susceptible to nicotine dependence.
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Stress and emotional coping: Tobacco use becomes a method of managing anxiety, depression, or boredom.
More Severe Causes (Complications):
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Cardiovascular disease: Increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure.
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Respiratory diseases: Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, and lung cancer.
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Cancers: Oral, throat, esophageal, pancreatic, bladder, and cervical cancers.
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Weakened immune system: Increased vulnerability to infections.
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Dental issues (chewing tobacco): Gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancers.
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Pregnancy complications: Miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight.
When to See a Doctor or Specialist:
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Struggles with quitting tobacco despite repeated attempts
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Experience of withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, or intense cravings
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Health issues related to tobacco use (respiratory symptoms, heart disease, cancers)
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Use of tobacco during pregnancy
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Consideration of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or medications
Natural remedies for Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)
Gradual Reduction or Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): Slowly taper nicotine intake through reduced tobacco use or NRT (patches, gum, lozenges). Helps ease withdrawal symptoms.
Herbal Teas (Chamomile, Green Tea): Soothes stress, reduces cravings, and replaces the oral fixation of smoking or chewing. Green tea offers mild stimulant effects without nicotine.
Adaptogenic Herbs (Ashwagandha, Rhodiola): Balance stress hormones and reduce anxiety that often triggers tobacco use. Support emotional resilience during withdrawal.
Black Pepper Essential Oil (Aromatherapy): Inhalation reduces cravings and provides a similar sensory experience to smoking. May also help with withdrawal-related anxiety.
Oat Straw or Oat Extract: Traditionally used to support nervous system health and reduce cravings for tobacco. Soothes anxiety and irritability.
Licorice Root Chews or Tea (DGL Form): Offers oral satisfaction and soothes the throat while reducing cravings. DGL licorice also protects the stomach lining, which may be irritated by tobacco.
Ginseng: Reduces nicotine-induced dopamine release, helping reduce the rewarding effects of tobacco. May lower cravings and improve mood.
Exercise: Physical activity boosts dopamine naturally, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Improves mood, lung function, and cardiovascular health.
Deep Breathing or Meditation: Helps manage cravings, stress, and emotional triggers. Calms the nervous system and supports self-control.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
amino acids
ashwagandha
black pepper
caffeine
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
citrus oil
damiana
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
ginseng
green tea
hemp oil
kava root
kudzu
l-glutamine
l-glutathione
l-phenylalanine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
licorice root
magnesium
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
oat
omega-3 fatty acids
phytocannabinoids
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
rhodiola
selenium
valerian root
vitamin C
water
zinc
lobelia
shen-chu
St. John's Wort
yohimbe
5-HTP
Ash
Aroma
Alpinia
American Basil
Agmisode
Aliphatic alcohol
Anatabine
Alkaloid (unspecified)
Acetyl L-Tyrosine
Adrenergic amines
Active Amines
Alkyl (unspecified)
Areca
Amino Acid (unspecified)
Alkaloids
Asteracea
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Arecoline Hydrobromide
Antimony
Amino Acid Blend/Complex
alkaloid
Avian (unspecified)
Ant
Ash (unspecified)
Blend (Combination)
Beta Phenethylalamine
Bidens pilosa
blend (herb/botanical)
botanical (unspecified)
benzenoid (unspecified)
Betel
Blackboard tree
Bee hive
Blend (Non-Nutrient/Non-Botanical)
Blend (Amino Acid/Protein)
Blend (Dietary substance used by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake)
Blend (Fatty Acid or Fat/Oil Supplement)
Blend (combination)
blend (herb/botanical)
B. brevia
Biogenic amine
Blend (combination)
Curry leaf
Cannabis
Catecholamine
Cytisine
cloves
Cyanthillium cinereum
Capsules
capsule
Cannabichromene
Cannabigerol
Chrysophanics
D-phenylalanine
DL-Phenyl-Alanine 4,2-Dimethylaminoethyl
DL-phenylalanine
Dopamine
Delivery system
Exphedrine HCl
Eucalyptus
Essential oil (unspecified)
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
Free Form Amino Acid
gum (unspecified)
GABA
Holy Basil
Ilex (unspecified)
Jasmine Tobacco
Kudzu
Kava kava
L-Tryptophan
L-Tyrosine
Lobelia
L-Phenylalanine
Mineral ascorbate (unspecified)
N-Acetyl Cysteine
N-acetylcysteine
Nux Vomica
Nicotine
Nicotinamide
Oleoresin (unspecified)
Puerain
Pungent Principles
Phenethylamine (PEA)
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Phenylpropanoids (unspecified)
Peptide (unspecified)
Peptides (unspecified)
phenethylamine (PEA)
Protein
Phenylalanine
Proprietary Blend (Dietary substance used by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total diet
plant (unspecified)
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Phenolic (unspecified)
Pungent compounds (unspecified)
Petiveria
Resin (unspecified)
Sesquiterpenes
Spice (unspecified)
Seasoning (unspecified)
Theobromine
Tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids
Trichilia catigua
Theophylline
Theanine
Tyrosine
Tablet
Terpene (unspecified)
Tagetes
Tetrahydropalmatine
Vitamin C (Ascorbate)
Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate)
Vitamin A (retinol)
Valerian
Vitamin C (not specified)
Vitamin C (ascorbic palmitate)
Vitamin C (mixed ascorbates)
Vitamin C
Vodka
Vitamin B1 (Sulbutiamine)
Wine (unspecified)
yohimbine
Yohimbines (unspecified)