Smoking is deeply ingrained in the conscience of the addict. Back in the day, it was even prescribed by doctors because it was thought to give people more stamina. Today, people realize that smoking is bad for them but they get hooked for some reason or another and once that happens, it can be very difficult to break free.
Although it is difficult, it is not impossible to quit. If you have the right type of support system and the right plan in place, you can rewire your brain and kick the habit for good. Knowing what happens when you quit smoking is also quite motivational. This is what happens when you quit.
20 minutes
Your heart rate and blood pressure begin to normalize only 20 minutes after you smoke your last cigarette. Circulation begins to increase so the sensation starts to return in your arms, hands and legs. As your body begins to clean nicotine from your system, it will result in cravings for another cigarette but try to overcome it.
8 hours
As you breathe in tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide is inhaled along with it. Carbon monoxide bonds with your blood cells and keeps them from circulating oxygen in great enough measure.
After you quit smoking for at least eight hours, your level of carbon monoxide is reduced by half. Oxygen levels will continue to increase, reducing your risk of a heart attack.
48 hours
Your sense of smell and taste will begin to return if you successfully go 48 hours without a cigarette. As your nerve cells continue to regrow and regenerate, your sense of smell and taste will become even stronger. You may find that it is no longer necessary to add additional spices to your food.
By this point, nicotine has been completely cleaned out of your system. Since nicotine is responsible for the addiction, the craving for a cigarette may be quite strong and you may feel nauseous. Don’t give in to the temptation to smoke now, you are on the threshold of something much better.
72 hours
After you have successfully gone 72 hours without smoking, your lungs begin to revitalize and it becomes much easier to take a deep breath.
Inside of your lungs, the cilia are repairing themselves and regaining normal function. Your risk of serious problems, such as kidney failure, heart attack and cardiovascular disease are dropping by the hour.
2 weeks
By this point, your cough has likely reduced significantly, especially if you have been smoking for quite some time.
The toxins from smoking are being constantly removed from your lungs. Since those toxins are being removed, your body will be stronger and can repair itself at an even faster rate. You likely notice that you can now move about much more freely without becoming short of breath.
3 to 9 months
The benefits continue to flow as you reach this point in your recovery. Your skin will feel soft again thanks to the circulation of blood to the extremities. In addition, you may notice that your skin has regained its elasticity because of the increase in collagen. This means fewer wrinkles.
1 to 5 years
Your risk of heart disease is reduced by half. All of the signs that you were at one time a smoker will be gone by this point.
What this means for you is that yellow teeth and yellow fingers from smoking have been long gone thanks to increased circulation in the gums and skin. Your risk for cancer is also decreased by 50%, including lung, kidney, bladder, pancreas and mouth cancer.
10 to 15 years
Hopefully, your cravings for cigarettes will likely be a distant part of your past. The shift of lifestyle may not only benefit you at this point because of smoking, you may realize that you are strong enough to accomplish many things!
After 15 years without a cigarette, the chance of cancer or heart disease are the same as someone who never smoked. The negative health consequences associated with smoking are also a thing of the past and you can enjoy a healthy life from this point forward.
It’s worth it. Good luck!
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