It's not a surprise that smoking is a horrible habit to break, or that it is a viciously addictive habit. There are options out there, however, and there are many organic ways of quitting available.
Not everyone knows what ingredients are in a cigarette. It is known that tobacco is the main ingredient but this isn't what causes the health problems. There are approximately 4,000 different toxins found in cigarettes, at least fifty of which are proven to be carcinogenic.
It is mind boggling to that doctors used to consider cigarettes a healthy option, and was given to people to help them calm down and expand the lungs. This opinion died down, and despite proven scientific studies it is still legal.
The effects of cigarettes are compartmentalized, users think that the chances of them getting diseases are slim and this is not the case. There are many different ingredients in cigarettes but these are a few of the most common ones:
Nicotine
Nicotine is not only one of the most addictive substances known to man but also one of the most dangerous. IT is responsible for a majority of the withdrawal symptoms..
Carbon Monoxide
You might recognize the name as the stuff that your car emits through it's exhaust or the meters that should be in your house to prevent people from passing out and dying.
More Toxins
A few of the other elements found in cigarettes include: arsenic which is the active ingredient for rat poison; hydrogen cyanide, used in WW II in the gas chambers, was outlawed by the Geneva Convention; DDT, an illegal, cancer causing insecticide; butane, also known as lighter fluid;sulphuric acid, powers car batteries and can eat through human skin; cadmium; maltitol, a sweetening agent not allowed in the US anymore. All in all not a healthy spread.
What Happens To Your Body After You Smoke Your Last Cigarette?
While smoking is terrible for you, the body recognizes the seriousness of the toxins. It starts working immediately and efficiently to remove all traces and damage. Within just 20 minutes of not smoking, your body begins a series of changes that continue for years. All you have to do is not smoke, for resources and support visit Smoke-Free.
20 Minutes After Quitting
- Your heart rate drops.
12 hours After Quitting
- Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
2 Weeks to 3 Months After Quitting
- Your heart attack risk begins to drop.
- Your lung function begins to improve.
1 to 9 Months After Quitting
- Your coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
1 Year After Quitting
- Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
5 Years After Quitting
- Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker's 5-15 years after quitting.
10 Years After Quitting
- Your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker's.
- Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.
15 Years After Quitting
- Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a non smoker's