Smokeless NRTs: What They Are, and How They Can Help You

The knowledge and awareness of smoking’s detrimental health effects usually serve as a motivation for quitting. On top of the increased risks for chronic conditions like lung cancer and heart disease. Our article on ‘What Smoking Does to Your Face’ also associates cigarette smoking with signs of premature aging, e.g. excessive wrinkles, mouth lines, and saggy skin with a dry texture. As such, smokers who successfully quit improve both their health and appearance.

The various benefits of quitting are undeniable, but it doesn’t make the process any easier. Since cigarette smokers become dependent on the stimulation they get from nicotine, their attempts to quit usually come with withdrawal symptoms that range from irritable and depressed moods to restlessness and insomnia.

It is in this context that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) emerged as a pharmacological treatment that can relieve withdrawal symptoms and, at the same time, improve quit success rates. Most smokeless and tobacco-free NRTs are available as over-the-counter (OTC) medications and come in various formulations, including gum, pouches, and patches. Here is a guide on how each type of NRT works and helps with smoking cessation.

Nicotine gum

While nicotine gum looks like regular chewing gum, its effective nicotine release is only possible through the “chew-and-park” method. You need to chew the gum down until you feel a tingling sensation, and then park it between your cheek and gums for about a minute in order to properly absorb the nicotine into your body. This process can then be repeated several times for about 30 minutes until the nicotine effect wears off.

Nicotine gum comes in different flavors and is effective for smokers who have trouble quitting due to oral fixation. A study published on BMC on nicotine gum efficacy, using Nicorette Freshfruit Gum, further supports this claim as it resulted in a greater reduction in smoking urges. The gum is also discreet and fast-acting, which makes it convenient for addressing nicotine cravings wherever and whenever.

Nicotine pouch

The nicotine pouch is also an oral NRT product that is offered in a variety of flavors. However, its nicotine delivery and experience differ from the gum. Since pouches are simply tucked beneath the upper lip and do not have to be chewed, they release nicotine faster. The quick and direct nicotine absorption also provides longer-lasting relief for up to 60 minutes. This also means that they are less messy and easier to dispose of compared to gums.

In order to effectively curb nicotine cravings, Rogue nicotine pouches come in different dosages on Prilla so that users can adjust and experiment with them depending on their need and cessation progress. They are also made with sugar-free ingredients, which means smokers with preexisting conditions like diabetes do not have to worry about the nicotine pouches disrupting their prescribed diet.

Nicotine patch

The delivery format of the nicotine patch is described to be “fixed” since it releases a steady dose of nicotine throughout the day. The self-adhesive patch is applied on the skin through which nicotine is absorbed, and should be replaced every few hours for optimal effect. Patches can be combined with fast-acting oral products like gum and pouches, as research shows that combined therapy leads to higher cessation rates than only using one type of NRT by itself.

Furthermore, an Insider article advises nicotine patch users to completely abstain from cigarettes since using both simultaneously is otherwise unsafe and can lead to nicotine overdose. The usual symptoms of nicotine overdose include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations. You can also avoid nicotine overdose by aligning the patch dosage with your daily nicotine intake from previously smoking tobacco. This means that the beginning doses vary among light, moderate, and heavy smokers.