The main myths of smoking

Weips are better than cigarettes, smoking is not in training safely, nicotine causes cancer - and other errors

About 1.3 billion people in the world smoke - this is one of the most common habits in the world. Every year, eight million people die from diseases caused by the use of tobacco. Despite the awareness of the majority about the dangers of smoking, there are many myths around nicotine and cigarettes - and there are much more positive errors than negative ones. For example, that smoking contributes to weight loss, and thin cigarettes and natural tobacco are less harmful than ordinary cigarettes. "Cold" analyzes the main myths about smoking.

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Myth 1. The dependence on smoking is only physical

In fact, it can be both physical and psychological. When using nicotine in the brain, dopamine (a hormone of pleasure) is released, which improves mood and causes a feeling of satisfaction. These pleasant sensations begin to be associated with smoking. Over time, tolerance to nicotine rises and a person wants to smoke more often. So physical dependence appears .

Psychological dependence develops due to rituals associated with smoking. For example, a person smokes after eating, during a break at work or when he experiences certain emotions (joy, excitement, sadness). The main symptoms of dependence are constant thoughts of smoking, difficulties with concentration, anxiety due to the lack of cigarettes.

Refusal of nicotine often causes cancellation syndrome - the body's reaction to a decrease or absence of psychoactive substance. It lasts from several days to three to four weeks, during which a person has unpleasant symptoms: headache, insomnia, confusion of thoughts, blood circulation, fatigue, increased appetite, sweating, anxiety, and mood deterioration.

The development of dependence is affected by genetics , lifestyle and an individual reaction to nicotine. Some people can smoke in social situations (parties or meetings with friends) and not experience a constant desire to smoke. But if a cigarette becomes part of the routine, it will not work to avoid dependence.

Myth 2. Nicotine causes cancer

Nicotine is a psychoactive substance contained in all tobacco products and some liquids for electronic cigarettes. It causes addiction, but not cancer.

Oncological diseases occur due to inhalation of tobacco smoke with carcinogenic (causing cancer) substances. The cigarette contains about 600 ingredients, and when it is set on fire, about 7,000 chemicals are released. At least 69 of them are toxic and provoke the appearance of cancer cells due to damage to DNA cells and immunity suppression.

Such substances include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAU), N-nitrosamines, aromatic amines, heavy metals (cadmium and arsenic), polonium-210 , lead isotopes, benzene and formaldehyde.

Smoking causes at least 15 types of oncological diseases (the lungs and intestines are most often affected). For example, in the USA, about 20% of all malignant tumors and 80% of cases of lung cancer are directly related to smoking.

Myth 3. Nicotine chewing gum and patchings do not help to quit

Nicotin replacements can help reduce the desire to smoke with physical dependence, as well as soften the cancellation syndrome. They are less harmful to health, as they contain small doses of nicotine without harmful substances that tobacco smoke secrete.

Studies show that nicotin replacements increase the chances of quitting smoking by 50-60% . They allow the body to get used to smaller doses of nicotine and gradually abandon it. Studies also have shown that for the best effect it is worth taking a long course of nicotin -resolving therapy (24 weeks).

But nicotine substitutes can cause side effects: skin irritation, stomach disorders and digestion, allergic reactions, toothache, dizziness, nausea and diarrhea, hair loss. They can also be addictive, so it is important to use them strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions or after consulting with a specialist.

Myth 4. The dependence on cigarettes does not appear immediately, and several cigarettes per day will not be harmful

Nicotine causes the same strong addiction as heroin and cocaine, so nicotine dependence occurs very quickly. Physical - can develop for several days, and sometimes even after the first use. When the level of dopamine, the increase of which causes nicotine, begins to decline, the brain wants to get more nicotine in order to experience a pleasant sensation again.

Psychological dependence can form within a few weeks of smoking. The brain begins to associate these situations with the use of tobacco, which enhances the desire of a person to smoke when he gets into them. In addition, prolonged use of nicotine causes changes in the brain - increases the susceptibility of a person to other psychoactive substances, worsens the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Studies show that there is no safe amount of cigarettes. Even if a person smokes one cigarette per day, his risk of heart disease is higher than that of non -smokers (about 46% in men and 31% in women). The risk of stroke increases by 41% in men and 34% in women.

Myth 5. Smoking is not more safer than inhaling smoke

Despite the fact that so smoke does not fall into the lungs, this method is no less dangerous than ordinary smoking - carcinogenic substances are absorbed into the body through the mucous membranes of the mouth. If ordinary smokers most often suffer from lung cancer, then those who smoke are not in return are more susceptible to cancer of the oral cavity, esophagus and stomach.

Myth 6. Thin cigarettes are less harmful than ordinary

Thin cigarettes contain the same amount of resin and nicotine as ordinary. Also, when smoking thin cigarettes, people often make deeper puffs and smoke more often. As a result, smokers inhale more resins, nicotine and other harmful chemicals.

Myth 7. Smoking organic tobacco is safer, and cigarettes without tobacco are harmless

As a rule, organic tobacco is grown without the use of fertilizers and pesticides. It differs from ordinary cigarette tobacco in that when processing it, chemicals and additives are not used (flavorings, dyes, preservatives and others). But the fact that he is safer is a myth .

The smoke of even the organic tobacco itself contains as many toxic substances as ordinary cigarettes. Even in such a tobacco there is more nicotine, which is why physical dependence develops faster. Even herbal cigarettes without tobacco and nicotine release resin and carbon monoxide, which are dangerous to health.

Cigars and tubes with natural tobacco contain the same toxic substances as cigarettes. If a person regularly smokes cigars, he has increased the risk of developing certain types of cancer (mouth, throat, esophagus).

Myth 8. Electronic cigarettes and wales are better than cigarettes

Electronic devices are heated by nicotine fluid, forming pairs for inhalation, and do not contain tobacco (the main source of carcinogenic substances). In such a pair, there are much fewer toxic substances, and therefore it is considered less harmful. But in nicotine liquids there are also carcinogenic substances. And since electronic cigarettes appeared relatively recently, the consequences of the long -term use of these devices are still unknown .

All liquids for electronic cigarettes are made on the basis of propylene glycol and glycerol. Although they are considered relatively safe (for eating and in cosmetic products), their effect on the body has not yet been fully studied. Some studies show that harmful substances can form when heated. Glycerin absorbs moisture and holds it, which leads to dehydration of the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and lungs. This can cause dryness, irritation, cough, inflammation of the lungs.

In 2020, scientists found that waging provokes the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth and causes an inflammatory process. Also, according to various studies , electronic cigarettes cause a stronger nicotine dependence, especially among children and adolescents.

The use of electronic cigarettes (or vape) can lead to a burn of lungs, asthma, chronic lung diseases, decreased endurance, as well as slow -to -delayed development of the brain in adolescents and young people. There are also cases when electronic devices exploded, leading to serious injuries and burns.

Myth 9. Smoking relieves stress and soothes nerves

Cigarettes do not remove stress and anxiety, but only temporarily suppress a person’s experiences due to the effect of nicotine on the nervous system. In fact, nicotine dependence causes psychological stress in the long term. For example, stress arises when cigarettes end in a person, there is no way to smoke or time, it is not possible to abandon a bad habit. In addition, smoking exacerbates the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Smoking also enhances physical stress, since nicotine increases blood pressure and blood adrenaline levels. For example, after inhalation of tobacco smoke, the heart rate increases by 30% in the first 10 minutes.

Myth 10. Quit smoking late, the damage to the light has already been caused

Refusal of smoking is useful at any age and can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer. Fortunately, our body is able to recover. In the first 24 hours without cigarettes, the lungs begin to cleanse themselves of nicotine, resin and other toxins .

The time of complete cleansing and restoration of the lungs depends on the age of the person, the experience of smoking, the general state of health, the lifestyle and the degree of damage to the lungs. For some, the process may take several months, while others may take years. If a person smoked for several years (especially from young age), doctors recommend that you go through annual light screening.

After the cessation of smoking, many experience nicotine cancellation syndrome: they have irritability, tearfulness, anxiety, increased appetite, sleep problems. These symptoms completely disappear within two to four weeks.

To facilitate unpleasant symptoms, you can contact a specialist and choose nicotine substitutes (chewing gum, patching, sprays).