J**2:5532759 said:
Cigarette smoke has other chemicals in it as already mentioned.
Specifically monoamine oxidase inhibitors. MAO inhibitors are actually antidepressants and may be one reason analog smoke is MORE addicting than pure nicotine.
I would specifically try to get a lot of light exposure especially in the morning.
I would watch for carbohydrate craving and don't pig out.
Most importantly I would begin a program of exercise regularly which will stimulate all those brain chemicals. Optimal is thirty min a day five times a week but anything is good. (standard disclaimer if you have medical condition check with your doc first etc etc)
Hang in there.
Jeff
GG stealth, Provari, iatty2, DIY chef
Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme (this is what the 'ase' suffix refers to) . It is responsible for catalysing the reuptake of monoamines (serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine) when they have been released into a synapse. An maoi inhibits this process, leading to an elevated level of those neurotransmitters. The brain has a tendency to reach an equilibrium in terms of neurotransmitter levels, so when one cuts off the maoi by smoking cessation, the monamine oxidase levels don't revert to normal. They have been compensating for the maoi, and so when the maoi is removed, they are overcompensating, reuptaking more than they should, which leaves one with severely low level of monoamines in the synapse. This doesn't just lead to depression, it can lead to severe nuerological side effects, which is why people are tapered off maois and why quitting cold turkey is BRUTAL.
Physiology of psychology was my favorite class ever, but I barely survived. Chemistry is painful.
*Edit* Now that I think about it, the overcompensation mechanism may have more to do with the response of the recieving dendrites. Bleaah time to start reviewing again. Having a good grasp of physiological is essential in chem dep counseling.