Live Life Team
Nicotine replacement therapy is used by millions of people each year. Some opt for nicotine gum to help them quit smoking, while others decide to try nicotine patches. Although those are the most common cessation aids used, smokers do settle for other forms of nicotine replacement therapy to help quit smoking.
One form of nicotine replacement therapy is nicotine inhalers. They are used in a way similar to a smoker’s use of a cigarette, with the exception of lighting them. The inhalers are held to the lips and inhaled, the same way a smoker inhales a cigarette. The inhaler releases a small amount of nicotine into the mouth, which in turn is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Aside from helping to reduce nicotine cravings over time, the nicotine inhaler actually gives the smoker a familiar “ritual.” It mimics the act of taking a cigarette out of the pack and bringing it to the mouth, inhaling and taking the cigarette away from the mouth. The smoker goes through the motions of smoking without actually inhaling. Helping to calm the psychological aspects of smoking will ultimately make the smoking cessation progress a little easier.
The chances of success increase when the nicotine inhaler is paired with another form of nicotine replacement therapy. People who suffer from certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, liver or kidney problems, or women who are pregnant or breast feeding, should not use nicotine inhalers. They should also avoid any other type of nicotine replacement therapy without consulting a physician before beginning the treatment.
