Tim:
Change always brings on unexpected circumstance...Perhaps that is one of the keys to riding the bucking bronco also referred to as the human experience. I too used zyban for a while, and it did have the effect of keeping my ever active mind in check while I worked on getting the cigarette toxins out of my body. The effects of that particular "mamma's helper" put me off a bit as well and I stopped using it rather quickly. Trust me, my little brain has no problem in the dreaming arena.
One of the best things I did in the early days was to increase my physical activity. It helped me a great deal as I am one of those folks who is lacking in the "happy" neurotransmitter category. I do not know your circumstances, and am hesitant to offer any advice, but I do know that many of us (mostly me) smoked in order to keep our attitudes on the right side of center. Read a little about how nicotine has the ability to substitute itself for important neurotransmitters that act to aid your body in the release and use of the feel good substances that help keep us moving forward. Here is a short list of them.
- ENDORPHINS (Opiods): Mood elevating, enhancing, euphoric. The more present, the happier you are! Natural pain killers.
- NOREPINEPHRINE: Excitatory, feel happy, alert, motivated. Anti-depressant, appetite control, energy, sexual arousal.
- DOPAMINE: Feelings of bliss and pleasure, euphoric, appetite control, controlled motor movements, feel focused.
- ACETYLCHOLINE: Alertness, memory, sexual performance, appetite control, release of growth hormone.
- PHENYLETHYLMINE (PEA): Feelings of bliss, involved in feelings of infatuation (high levels found in chocolate).
Smoking is an extremely complex and some would say diabolical trap. Beginning to understand what you are getting from the addiction is the key to finding the way out of it...It is not simply about NOT doing something (smoking) it is more about DOING other things that will give you what you need. Do not despair and do not be afraid the changes will come, but first we must understand why we engage ourselves with such passion in an activity that is killing us.
Keep reading, keep understanding and most of all never forget that you are not alone...
nonic
PS
Nicotine has the ability to disguise itself as Acetylcholine. Nicotine is the naturally occurring pesticide in tobacco leaves. As far as I know Acetylcholine has no ability to kill anything. So you see the problem here.
My Milage:My Quit Date: 12/25/2006
Smoke-Free Days: 843
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 25,290
Amount Saved: $8,851.50
Life Gained:Days: 160
Hrs: 21
Mins: 26
Seconds: 9
