Chantix, a drug produced by Pfizer, is supposedly a revolutionary new drug that leads unprecedented success in quitting smoking. While I am ready to dive head first into the Cold Turkey approach, I decided to research this new drug and see what its all about. I began by checking out the Chantix website: http://www.chantix.com/index.aspx. Right off the bat, I liked the Chantix approach to quitting smoking, as it is designed to address both the physical and behavioural components that come with nicotine addiction. Chantix addresses the phsycial element by reducing urges for nicotine, while the "GETQUIT" Support plan is designed to "help you think and act like a quitter." While I have no idea what that means, I like the fact that the product adresses the behavioral compenent of nicotine addiction, which I feel is frequently overlooked.
Chantix is different than other anti-nicotine products because firstly it is a pill. I have never heard of a quit-smoking product that comes in pill-form. Secondly, it is different because it contains no nicotine. Products like nicorette gum/the patch contain nicotine and work by gradually weening a person off of the substance. Chantix works differently.
When you smoke, the nicotine you inhale attaches to receptors in your brain. These receptors then trigger a release of dopamine, which causes a brief sensation of pleasure. Nicotine addiction occurs when the body craves and wants to create this chemical sensation repeatedly. Chantix targets these nicotine receptors and blocks their ability to intake nicotine. This, in turn, prevents the consequent dopamine reaction the the body from occuring, which is the source of the addiction.
Wow! Chantix sounds great! Why would anyone ever try any other method to quitting when this is so easy. In my next post I will discuss why this is far from true, and expose the dark side of Chantix as a quit-smoking remedy.
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