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Everyone who has ever tried
to quit smoking knows the
full reaching effect that
nicotine has on your very
being. The truth about
nicotine is that it is an
addictive substance, not
unlike less sociably
acceptable drugs, such as
cocaine and marijuana.
Willpower works for a short
period of time until stress
or emotional pressures cause
us to crave the feeling of
relief that smoking once
gave.
Many have tried the gums,
patches, and other aids,
some have succeeded, most
have failed. Nicotine’s
initial action is to act as
a stimulant. Smoking is a
fast acting “drug delivery
system” compared to alcohol
or pills that are ingested.
Nicotine hits the brain
quickly, causing an initial
“spike potential” that falls
away just as rapidly,
causing the craving for
another cigarette to return
in a short period of time.
Nicotine is believed to be
one of the most addictive
substances known to science.
Nicotine in the Brain
The part of your brain that
nicotine affects is the
mesolimbic system. There,
neurotransmitters (chemical
messengers) like dopamine
are involved in our sense of
well being, pleasure and
happiness. Nicotine hits the
neurons (nerve cells) like a
sledgehammer. The neurons
are overwhelmed and flood
the nerve receptor sites.
You then feel a sense of
euphoria, relief or
relaxation. These feelings
are short lived.
The nerve cells respond by
adapting to the rapid
increase in dopamine, making
the nicotine less effective.
Since nicotine binds with
the nerve receptor sites
that bind with dopamine, the
brain will decrease the
amount of dopamine it
produces. This overall
decrease of dopamine and its
effectiveness causes chronic
unpleasant feelings,
depression, and cravings for
the chemical we have learned
to depend on, in this case
nicotine.
We now feel bad, low or
maybe jittery. The pleasure
nicotine first gave us is
now gone. We need to smoke
just to feel normal. Now we
depend on nicotine just to
feel good again; addiction
has set in.
Science now believes that
some of us have a genetic
predisposition to becoming
addicted. Some of us have
the A1 version of the
“dopamine gene”, some the
A2. Science has shown that
those with the A1 version
are much more likely to
become addicted. This is why
it is harder for some to
quit than others.
So what can we do?
Since addiction starts in
the brain and central
nervous system that is the
system we need to treat. The
nervous system is where the
cravings are taking place.
If we find a way to help
restore the normal function
of the mesolimbic system and
help your body release
dopamine and other important
neurotransmitters, we will
feel better and have less
cravings.
There is a way to do this!
Auriculartherapy (Aw-rik-u-lar)
is treatment of “nerve
reflex points” on the ear to
stimulate the nervous system
and other parts of the body.
There are no needles used,
only a small amount of
electricity (5 – 20 Hz),
similar to a pins & needles
tingling sensation. The
doctor can regulate the
intensity of the
microcurrent and will only
treat a patient at a
comfortable level.
There is a set pattern of
points specifically treated
for smokers, including a
specific nicotine point!
Treatment effectively wipes
out the major cravings we
have from smoking.
Auriculartherapy has shown
time and time again to be
very effective for the
patient who truly wants to
stop smoking. It has helped
many when the patches and
other means haven’t worked.
Auriculartherapy is a
clinical science recognized
by the World Health
Organization and has
undergone many in-depth
studies at major
universities here in the
U.S. and abroad.
Dr. Jonathan Ewer offers
Auriculartherapy treatments
in his office. Call
724-836-5520 to schedule an
appointment today. Make the
decision that will possibly
affect the rest of your
life!
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