I recently quit smoking. 3 months and going strong.
I’ve been chewing Nicorette and, for a short time, the Duane Reade version of Nicotine gum. The Duane Reade version, while cheaper than the brand name, has the taste and consistency of a rubber band. If it didn’t also have Nicotine it would be a rubber band.
My brother, who chews Nicorette with me, and I are now addicted to Nicorette. But I have no complaints. It stops me from smoking AND makes my breath smell minty fresh.
Recently, I’ve been feeling like I should go the last mile and try to kick Nicotine all-together, no matter what the delivery format. I’ve weened myself from cigarettes to gum, which I chew voraciously for hours on end. It’s time to quit the gum too.
Imagine my delight when I was told by some bio-tech industry friends this week that Nicotine, I assume in small doses like a glass of red wine per day, can actually have a healthy, positive impact on the brain.
According to a Wired article, “Nicotine acts on the acetylcholine receptors in the brain, stimulating and regulating the release of a slew of brain chemicals, including seratonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.“
Nice!
My teeth are happy, my breath is happy, and my brain is happy and alert, firing on all cylanders. I’m excited for my next piece of expensive gum.
