Nicotine addiction
Hey, been taking nicotine for over a year now. I quit for about a week a few times during this year but always come back to it. I don't even care about the feeling it gives, it doesn't cause I'm taking so much. I think i just like to do something that my brain thinks is a dopamine hit? Just feel like i need something to make my mood better, but it never even does, so i snot know why my brain is so convinced it will. How to make it stop believing that? I tried replacing it with other pleasant activities, but nothing works
@tidyOak3807
When your body gets used to taking it, it convinces you that you need it.
It's not easy but you did it before, even if for a few days.
You can do it again and maybe last longer.
And this progress will build your confidence.
Small, consistent steps.
It's about replacing it with something physical that gives healthy endorphins 💚
Hi, I smoked tobacco for decades and from New year quit. I am also abstaining from alcohol, cannabis and social media. What surprised me was, how big effect does nicotine has on psyche. For years I suffered with depression and anxiety and had no idea, that cigarettes did make it worse.
I am clean for 11 days now and feeling surprisingly great so far. I was searching what could cause it, as in 2024 when I abstain from alcohol and cannabis only, it wasn’t as good. My small research showed that abstaining from nicotine and social media might be huge part of it. As you wrote - because of the dopamine. It seems that now the body and brain are recalibrating to normal and suddenly I just dance at home to some nice song on radio, or am quite happy when playing with my dog.
So I just want to support you on your way without nicotine, it really should change over time.
I heard recommendation on a book for quitting smoking from Allen Carr: Easy way to stop smoking. Didn’t read it myself, but it might help you. Good luck!
@tidyOak3807 What you’re describing is very common with nicotine. After a while it stops giving pleasure and just relieves the discomfort it created in the first place. Your brain learned that nicotine equals relief, even when it no longer actually improves your mood.
Other activities don’t feel effective because nicotine trained your brain to expect fast dopamine. Natural rewards are slower and quieter, so they feel like they’re not working at first. That doesn’t mean they won’t.
The belief fades gradually, not all at once. Each time you don’t act on the urge, even if it’s uncomfortable, your brain is relearning. This isn’t a willpower issue. It’s a learned loop that can be undone with time.