Brain Mechanisms To Quit Smoking Identified

Smoking is an automated behavior and can only be controlled (and also inhibited) by certain brain circuits. These types of circuits would be interrupted and would not work properly in many smokers.

The person who smokes a daily pack of cigarettes has come to turn this habit into something repetitive, mechanized, that he needs to do for a mental matter. And this goes far beyond addiction to nicotine or other substances inherent in tobacco.

One of the data provided by the study is that the lower the oxygenation level of the blood in the inhibition control circuit, the greater the probability that the person will resist the temptation to smoke. Thus, there would be important neurobiological conditioning factors that would explain why some smokers have more difficulty quitting tobacco.

With these data in hand, scientists analyze the possible potential of different treatments, be they pharmacological or behavioral changes.

These therapies would have the purpose of reinforcing communication in the inhibition control circuit of smokers. And help these people quit smoking.

Test details

At the origin of these investigations, inhibitory control networks were examined in the brains of various smokers. They were dependent on nicotine and committed to trying a multi-week smoking cessation program.

At the beginning of the program, the researchers used a functional MRI to monitor brain activity. At the same time, patients who wanted to quit smoking performed inhibitory control tasks.

• Study participants had to press a computer key each time a colored circle appeared on the screen. Sometimes a circle of another color would appear.
• Responses related to the level of oxygenation of the blood indicate that the brain used more resources to inhibit the automatic response of pressing the key when the “weird” circle appeared.

Study conclusions

After two months, among the participants who wanted to quit smoking, 50% would have succeeded. Patients who failed to quit had just as good scores on the inhibitory control task as those who successfully quit.

However, the impression he gave is that his automated behavior was very strong and very assimilated. This evidence reaffirms that biological differences may help explain why some smokers who are trying to quit are more successful than others.

Good habits to quit smoking

Identifying the brain mechanisms to quit smoking is essential in order to achieve this. In other words, you need to identify those times when there is a greater propensity to smoke. In the morning? After eating or having sex? Driving a car?

Asking family, friends, and coworkers for help also works .

• It is necessary to inform of the date in which the treatment will begin. By then the smoker has to get rid of all his cigarettes and the trace of it.

• You should also clean anything that smells of smoke, such as clothing and furniture.
• In those places where it was customary to have cigarettes, you can place sweets, candies or cookies.
• It is effective, especially for very dynamic or nervous people, to find activities that occupy their hands and keep their minds entertained. Try mobile games or crossword puzzles.

A new way of life

You have to change your daily habits and schedule. This helps to quit smoking. For example, eating at different times, eating several small meals instead of large ones, changing rooms, furniture, etc.

Exercise is always positive, and also to quit smoking. In addition to reducing anxiety and stress, it creates a sense of physical and mental well-being that reduces the urge to smoke.

Quitting smoking is not easy but if you are determined, do not stop fighting for your goal! Ask for help from your environment and change your habits once and for all. Leave tobacco addiction behind!