If you belong to the group who has already tried a wide array of stop smoking options like nicotine gums, patches, lozenge, pills, acupuncture, hypnosis or laser therapy and still nothing offers you the desired benefits, you might consider trying the stop smoking injection, prior losing all your faith and self-confidence. Stop smoking injections are available in two types of anticholinergic drugs, referred to as scopolamine and atarax, approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Possible Functions

Research has shown that smokers develop additional nerve endings in the brain. Smoking for a prolonged period of time implies that the individuals have developed more numbers of nerve endings in their brains. These additional numbers of nerve endings result in a production of additional amount of neurotransmitter acetylcholine during the period of smoking and shortly following the termination. Since during the cessation the production of acetylcholine is blocked, it is unable to send messages to the brain, eventually resulting in withdrawal symptoms.

The stop smoking injection has the ability to alleviate or fully eradicate the physical withdrawal symptoms caused by nicotine within the first 24 to 48 hours following the onset of the abstinence. At this time, the physical symptoms of withdrawal are actually much more severe, if left without the stop smoking injection or any other possible support. With the help of the stop smoking injection, the individuals get relief from gastrointestinal complications, headache, nausea, reduced heart rate, irritability, nervousness, inability to concentrate, etc.

Since it requires a minimum of three to four days to eliminate all the toxic traces of nicotine from the body and another 10 to 14 days to harmonize the essential acetylcholine balance, additional oral medication and scopolamine patches need to be supplemented along with the stop smoking injection. Although the medication and patch used during the process is much less powerful than the stop smoking injection, these are sufficient to block the production of acetylcholine, while adjusting the body with nicotine withdrawal.

Major Drawbacks

A strong criticism concerning the use of stop smoking injection argues that the stop smoking injection only aids people in resolving the crisis related to physical withdrawals, however, not offering any benefits to psychological cravings. Many clinics use stop smoking injection in combination with behavioral approach, so that the program can be more effective to the smokers in their effort of cessation. In fact, several studies have confirmed the higher success rate for this combination. Since it is affiliated by FDA, it may be covered under medical insurance as well.