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Ever wondered what happens in your brain
when you smoke a cigarette?
Nicotine is an addictive drug
that actually changes your brain.
That's what can make quitting so hard.
Nicotine reaches your brain fast.
In less than ten seconds,
it travels from your lungs into the bloodstream
and then into your brain.
The brain is made up of many cells called neurons.
Nicotine affects a pathway in the brain called
the reward pathway.
The reward pathway is a normal and important part
to our survival.
It's an area of the brain that makes us feel good
when we do something we enjoy.
Once nicotine arrives at this area of the brain,
nicotine attaches itself to a receptor on neurons --
like a key fitting in a lock --
waking up the reward pathway of the brain.
When the reward pathway is activated,
a chemical called dopamine gets released
and we feel warm and satisfied.
However, too much repetitive stimulation of the reward system
can be dangerous, especially with nicotine.
Nicotine takes over the reward pathway,
attaching to nicotine receptors to release dopamine,
making the brain crave another cigarette.
Every time we smoke, we get that feeling of reward
and so we do it more.
This sets up an unhealthy pattern
as nicotine tricks the brain
into activating those feelings of enjoyment with every puff.
This causes changes in the brain over time.
The longer you smoke, the more and more nicotine receptors
are created.
And each one craves its nicotine fix.
Over time, the body learns that it needs nicotine
to feel good, but it can never get enough.
That's why it's so hard to quit.
The longer we smoke,
the stronger the cravings for nicotine become.
With no nicotine to bind to nicotine receptors,
the reward pathway is not stimulated anymore.
This means the brain releases less dopamine.
With less dopamine, people can get withdrawal symptoms.
The good news is that these changes in the brain
start returning to normal
the longer you go without a cigarette.
Getting past the first stages of withdrawal
when you quit can be hard,
with lots of empty nicotine receptors
screaming out for their fix.
But the good news is that over time,
there are fewer and fewer nicotine receptors
as your brain goes back to the way it was before you smoked.
While you are waiting for your brain
to return to the way it was,
there are scientifically proven ways
you can help ease some of the withdrawal symptoms.
One of these is nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT.
NRT allows just enough nicotine to be in the body
and bind to the nicotine receptors to keep many,
but not all of them, filled.
This helps reduce the withdrawal symptoms
you may feel when quitting smoking.
NRT comes in two forms: long-acting and short-acting.
NRT patches are long-acting.
They keep a steady, low level of nicotine receptors filled
for a long period of time
to help make withdrawal symptoms --
like feeling cranky or restless -- more manageable.
Short-acting NRT products include
gum, lozenge, nasal spray, and inhaler.
These get nicotine to the brain pretty fast,
but the nicotine doesn't stay for very long.
They can be helpful when you suddenly get a stronger craving.
NRT weakens the cravings and re-trains the brain
to start losing its extra nicotine receptors.
Using both long- and short-acting forms
of NRT together
is more effective than using one type alone.
Use the patch for that steady,
low level of nicotine throughout the day
and then the gum, lozenge, spray, or inhaler
for those moments when you have shorter, stronger cravings.
Combining NRT with personalized help from a quitline coach
or a healthcare professional
can further increase the chances of quitting for good.
Getting coaching can help you understand
and change the behaviors that go along with your smoking.
For help quitting smoking,
including deciding which medicine is right for you,
call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit CDC.gov/quit.