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Tag: Smoking Damage

Why Do I Have Heart Palpitations When I Quit Smoking?
When someone quits smoking they go through what is called nicotine withdrawals. This means that the body and brain are trying to get back to the state they were in before smoking cigarettes introduced many toxic chemicals into the mix. These symptoms can range from dizziness to coughing and also range in severity. Some people only have mild discomfort and some people have more severe pain. However, these withdrawal symptoms usually only last 2 to 4 weeks as the body is flushing itself of toxins and rebalancing itself.

One symptom that can be a little more terrifying than the others: heart palpitations. This is usually because anything going wrong with the heart is dangerous. Many people often relate palpitations to a heart attack. This article will discuss what heart palpitations are, causes of heart palpitations, how to ease them, and how Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy can help calm you after quitting smoking.

What Are Heart Palpitations?

Heart palpitations are basically the feeling that your heart is beating too fast, too hard, or fluttering. Sometimes it can feel like your heart is skipping a beat which is called an ectopic beat but these are very common and in most cases are not dangerous. Heart palpitations can also be felt in the throat, neck or other areas of the chest. They are usually mild and only last for a few seconds or minutes.

Causes of Heart Palpitations

While smoking is one of the major causes of heart palpitations, it is not the only one. Many people have heart palpitations after they quit smoking because their body is trying to clean itself of harmful toxins caused by years of smoking. Quitting smoking is a great way to avoid heart palpitations in the future but since your body still has chemicals in it from smoking, you may feel some of their after effects, such as heart palpitations. However, smoking and quitting smoking are not the only causes of heart palpitations. There is a chance that quitting smoking is not the only cause of them and it is best to rule out other possibilities, just in case.

Some other causes of heart palpitations include:
- Panic attacks – Feelings of stress and anxiety combined with heart palpitations could mean a panic attack. They can be frightening but usually only last a short time.
- Lifestyle choices – This includes smoking but also other factors such as excessive alcohol or caffeine, eating rich or spicy foods, or using recreational drugs.
- Medical Conditions – Conditions such as anaemia, low blood-sugar, fever, dehydration, or an overactive thyroid
- Physical Activity – Pushing your body past its limits
- Hormonal Changes – Periods, pregnancy, and menopause are the most common
- Medications – Some medications cause heart palpitations, but this side effect should always be listed on the bottle
- Heart Condition – Sometimes there can be a more serious problem and you should consult a doctor
How To Ease Heart Palpitations

When you quit smoking you could experience some heart palpitations that occur from the nicotine withdrawal. This is a normal symptom of nicotine withdrawals and should subside in a few weeks. There are a few things that you can do to ease the heart palpitations in the meantime. Some of these are:
- Reducing stress and anxiety – Stress can aggravate heart palpitations. There are many ways to reduce stress such as yoga, breathing exercises, or meditation.
- Avoiding stimulants – This can be anything that makes your heart beat faster. Stressful environments and situations, products like caffeine, alcohol, sugar, energy drinks, and especially nicotine can all contribute to heart palpitations.
- Abstain from illegal drugs – Amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs will get your heart racing and most likely cause heart palpitations.
- Avoid stimulant medications – Some medications for colds, coughs, and nutritional supplements contain stimulant ingredients.
Heart palpitations can be indicative of a more serious heart condition. If you suspect your heart palpitations are more than just a symptom of quitting smoking, consult a doctor immediately.

Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

Heart palpitations are can often occur after a person quits smoking. There are many withdrawal side effects after you quit smoking and heart palpitations are one of them. They are generally not painful and should last a very short time, but they can be scary because they involve the heart.

One way to decrease stress, lessen your chances for heart palpitations, and quit smoking successfully is to try Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. Joseph R. Giove is a certified Clinical Hypnotist with over 30 years of experience helping people quit smoking and handling the withdrawal symptoms that come afterward. He uses no chemicals that could cause heart palpitations, only the power of the mind. By gently altering brain patterns, he can help you to get over your cigarette addiction for life!

If you are having trouble quitting smoking or difficulties with withdrawal symptoms like heart palpitations, then consider Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy to help you lead a healthier life!
August 18, 2016
Do Side Effects of Quitting Smoking Include Rashes?
Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things a person can do. Quitting cigarettes and nicotine has been said to be in the same realm as kicking a cocaine or heroin habit. It is a serious undertaking. There are many side effects that occur when quitting smoking. The brain is used to a certain amount of nicotine and other chemicals every day and denying it of those chemicals has side effects.

One of the many side effects of quitting smoking are itchy rashes that can break out all over the body. This article will discuss the reasons for rashes to occur after quitting smoking, the side effects of smoking, and using drugs such as Chantix combined with behavior modification therapy to help with quitting smoking.

Why Do Rashes Occur When Quitting smoking

Nicotine restricts blood flow in the blood vessels. The vessels take blood to every part of the body, including the skin. It will take some time for the body to get normal blood flow back to all of your skin after you quit smoking. Most people will develop a type of rash that looks like eczema on their feet, legs, and hands. This is temporary and will go away when the body gets used to being nicotine free.

Stress is another factor that can cause itchy rashes when quitting smoking. Stress from not having nicotine delivered to the brain all the time can play all kinds of tricks on the body. When quitting smoking, the body is not used to being deprived of all the chemicals and carcinogens that cigarettes provide. The body attempts to ‘fix’ itself and this can lead to rashes.

Most people will also experience a reaction on their face. This is the most exposed part of the body and tends to dry out faster than anywhere else. When you quit smoking your skin is trying to heal itself and is flooded with nutrients and oils. If these oils build up enough, a rash or acne will occur.

Changes in diet are also a cause for rashes related to quitting smoking. Smoking cigarettes, or ingesting nicotine in general, cause people’s appetite to be decreased. Once someone quits smoking the appetite comes back. Some people tend to eat unhealthy foods once they start eating regularly again and their body is not used to all the calories and other substances being consumed, causing the body to react to this change by developing a rash.

Ingesting nicotine (chewing tobacco, pipe smoking, quitting aids such as gums and lozenges, and smoking cigarettes) for a long period of time puts a lot of harmful chemicals and carcinogens into the body. When you quit smoking the body is trying to get rid of these chemicals. As these poisons are coming out of you, they can cause itchy rashes on the skin. The good news is that they are temporary for as long as you cease smoking! The body is a remarkable machine that has the ability to heal itself. There will be some discomfort at first but it will subside and the rashes will go away. Once your body has rid itself of the harmful chemicals caused from nicotine use, there should be no more rashes and you will live a long and healthy life!

The Side Effects of Smoking

Besides skin rashes there are many other adverse side effects to smoking. Nicotine does very harmful things to the body and mind. There are many side effects that come with smoking. Some are mild and some are severe. These side effects include:
- Cancers
  - Larynx
  - Esophagus
  - Liver
  - Stomach
  - Lung
  - Kidney
  - Cervix
  - Bladder
  - Pancreas
  - Colorectal
  - Blood
- Diseases
  - Stroke
  - Heart disease
  - Eye degeneration
  - Bone weakness
  - Pneumonia
  - Diabetes
  - Erectile dysfunction
  - Pregnancy complications
- Diminished Appearance
  - Yellow fingers
  - Stained teeth
  - Wrinkled skin
  - Noxious odor
- Death
Using Chantix and Behavior Modification Therapy to Quit Smoking

Recently a new drug has entered the market, called Chantix. Chantix is a behaviour changing drug that works concurrently with behaviour modifying therapies so that the smoker no longer craves cigarettes and can avoid situations where they would want to smoke. These types therapies include group counselling, one on one visits with your doctor, or hypnosis.

By using these two methods together there is a much greater chance that you will quit smoking successfully. As with any quitting smoking method, there are side effects. Always make sure you talk to a qualified medical professional when attempting to quit smoking.

Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

There are always going to be withdrawals when quitting anything that goes into your body, and cigarettes are even more so. When going through a traumatic time like quitting smoking, you need all the help you can get.

Joseph R. Giove is a certified Clinical Hypnotist with over 30 years of experience in Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. He uses only the power of the mind to help you quit smoking, not dangerous chemicals or carcinogens. He will gently alter your brain patterns so that you will no longer want cigarettes, even despise them.

At the end of the day you will live a longer and healthier life when you quit smoking. There are some side effects to quitting that include itchy rashes but those will subside. The body is trying to get rid of many years of harmful toxins that have built up inside it. By using Chantix and behaviour modification therapy such as Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy, you have a great chance for a long and healthy life!
August 15, 2016
What Are the Effects of Nicotine on the Body
Nicotine is one of the most dangerous chemicals that can be ingested into the body. Whether you are chewing tobacco, smoking a pipe or cigarettes, or even using patches or gum for quitting smoking, the number of carcinogens that are in nicotine is alarming.

Nicotine is severely addictive, which makes this drug even more dangerous to the body. Nicotine is so addictive, it has been likened to being addicted to heroin or cocaine. Quitting smoking is hard to do and trying to quit often takes several attempts, but the sooner you quit smoking, the less nicotine will affect your body in the end.

Nicotine has many effects on the body. Obviously, most of them are adverse but there are a few that temporarily enhance some of the body’s functions. This article will look at all of the effects that nicotine will have on your body, and how Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy can help you quit smoking to avoid these effects.

What Are the Physical Symptoms of Nicotine Use

When nicotine is smoked or absorbed into the body, it can have many harmful side effects. Here are some of the symptoms you can expect after prolonged nicotine abuse and the parts of the body that will be affected.
- The Heart – Nicotine causes the heart rate and blood pressure to increase. Eventually, you will be at a much greater risk of heart disease and stroke because the heart has to work much harder to clean the nicotine out of your system.
- The Brain – Nicotine causes minor problems in the brain such as dizziness, tremors, and sleep disturbances. The major problem is that nicotine is highly addictive for the brain and therefore, in turn, affects all other parts of the body.
- Metabolism – Nicotine increases the calories that the body burns, but that is only because the body is trying to get rid of the nicotine. This means that there will decreased endurance and breathing problems. Basically, the body may be alright for a sprint but will not make it for a mile.
- The Reproductive System – Men are at risk to develop erectile dysfunction and impotence at a higher rate than non-smokers. Women increase their risk of infertility and miscarriage. There are also many risks to a baby that is exposed to nicotine from the mother.
- The Eyes – Nicotine actually damages the eyes in many ways. It will degenerate the eyes so that there will be night vision problems, peripheral vision problems, as well as overall vision issues.
- The Bones – Nicotine increases the risk of osteoporosis. People who smoke have been found to be at a greater risk for fractures due to the weakening of the bones.
- The Stomach – Nicotine is depressant on the hunger sensation and makes the brain think it doesn’t want food. Anorexia is a common disease associated with smoking and is very dangerous to overall health.
- The Lungs – Nicotine obviously has a negative effect on the lungs. It causes the lungs to be over-stimulated and increase the production of respiratory secretions. This means the lungs are working harder than they have to. Prolonged use of nicotine will cause the lungs to paralyze and could lead to respiratory failure.
- The Rest – There are other side effects of prolonged nicotine use including: heartburn, diarrhea, dizziness, stomach acid, mouth pain, and fatigue.
These are some of the serious negative effects that nicotine has on the body. The longer a person smokes cigarettes, the greater the risk of having one or all of these problems with their body.

Positive Effects of Nicotine Use

While the negative effects of nicotine on the body are plentiful, there are some positive effects. It should be noted that nicotine is very dangerous to a person’s long-term health and this article is simply depicting all of the effects that nicotine has on the body. These short-term positive effects are minor and will not outweigh the extremely dangerous adverse effects of nicotine use.

Nicotine in cigarettes has been found to be a stimulant for cognition, focus, and alertness for a short time. It makes a person more aware and also stimulates memory, attention, and motor abilities. Nicotine acts as a stimulant in the brain that temporarily increases its activity.

Reflexes are also increased with nicotine use. Research has shown that finger tapping speed increases with smoking cigarettes. Again, since nicotine is a stimulant for the brain, it causes faster muscle movement in the body.

Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

While there are some “positive” short-term effects of nicotine on the body, the negative aspects are much greater. There is no doubt that nicotine is dangerous to the body and could have long-lasting or permanent effects.

Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy is a non-intrusive method of helping you quit smoking and overcome the effects of nicotine. Joseph R. Giove is a certified Clinical Hypnotist with over 30 years of experience helping people quit smoking who doesn’t use chemicals or any other carcinogens. All he uses is the power of the mind to gently alter your brain patterns so that you lose your craving for cigarettes, and eventually despise them.

Quitting smoking will add years to your life and result in a better quality of life. The sooner you can cut nicotine out of your life, the better off you and your loved ones will be!
July 24, 2016
Is Smoking Weed Bad for You?

Marijuana, or weed as it is also called, has been making major news headlines recently as several states in the US and many other countries moving to legalize or decriminalize this otherwise Schedule 1 drug. This, coupled with the ongoing discussions and studies surrounding its use in the medical field, ascertaining whether smoking weed is bad for you can seem confusing.

It is important to note that despite certain specific medical benefits for particular illnesses as administered by a medical professional, overall smoking marijuana is not ‘healthy’. It would be fair to say that weed is less damaging to your health than cigarettes, but it is still by no means healthy. Cigarettes contain over 4000 chemicals and many of them are carcinogenic. Many of these same chemicals are also found in marijuana if it is not grown certified as organic. Marijuana, more commonly known as weed, is a natural plant, as is tobacco. However, both of these natural plants are often then combined with thousands of chemicals.

Unfortunately, there are certain social groups that are more likely to smoke weed when the time comes to make a healthy choice. Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and young people are the most susceptible to this drug.

The Chemicals in Marijuana

While cigarettes bear the brunt of more than 4000 incredibly harmful chemicals, this is not to say that marijuana doesn’t also contain its fair share. Scientists have identified 483 different chemicals in marijuana including THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the active ingredient in weed that gives the user a ‘high’. However, many of the other chemicals found in marijuana can be harmful to the body as well. Some of these chemicals include:

● Nitrogenous compounds
● Amino acids
● Enzymes
● Simple alcohols
● Acids
● Fatty acids
● Steroids

Particularly when purchasing weed ‘on the streets’, or from anywhere other than an official weed dispensary, there is no scientific way of accurately knowing what precise chemical components are contained therein. Different growing environments, planting methods, soils used and fertilizers can contribute their own chemical components to various strains and strengths of weed.

Smoking Weed, Breastfeeding and Pregnancy

The harmful effects of marijuana are amplified for certain segments of the population, particularly pregnant women and new mothers who are breastfeeding. While the effects of smoking weed while pregnant or breastfeeding are still being studied, it is certainly not recommended. Ingesting smoke of any kind is not recommended at any time in a life, and smoking marijuana while pregnant or breastfeeding could be harmful to your child’s development.

Unfortunately, and perhaps do to the lack of studies on the subject, many women do smoke weed when they are pregnant. Often the motivation for this is due to the calming and pain reducing effect that marijuana can have. There are any number of pains that can come with pregnancy such as back pain, leg pain and headaches, to name a few. Smoking weed, specifically the active ingredient THC contained therein, gives the user a sense of pain relief from these sometimes excruciating pains. This being said, there are some studies that have concluded that babies born to mothers who smoked weed while pregnant were at higher risk of being born with the following issues:

● Stillbirth
● Low birth weight
● Smaller length
● Smaller head circumference

When a woman is pregnant everything she puts into her body can be transferred to the baby through the amniotic sack. Likewise when a new mother is breastfeeding, chemicals from marijuana including the active ingredient THC can be transmitted through the breastmilk and ingested by her baby.

Marijuana Use in Adolescents

Despite recent legislation in certain states and moves to decriminalize weed, marijuana remains illegal in most of the United States and Canada. Marijuana is still a Schedule 1 Drug along with Heroin and LSD and it is nevertheless by far the most widely used drug among young people. Its illegal status means that young people must interact with criminals and drug dealers in order to procure it, which can put them in dangerous situations. If they are caught with weed by the authorities, they can also face jail time. In fact, in the United States, about half of all people in federal prison are there due to drug possession charges.

Smoking weed can also affect young people’s growth and development. Smoking weed for extended periods in a person’s youth can have the following health effects as they grow older:

● Memory loss
● Inability to think clearly
● Decrease in IQ
● Poor school performance
● Behavioral changes
● Increased risk of long term mental health issues

Health Effects

While smoking, inhaling, or ingesting weed may not be as dangerous as smoking and ingesting nicotine from cigarettes, they share many of the same attributes. While the quantities are lower, there are still several of the chemicals found in cigarettes that are in THC. These chemicals, when smoked, will produce a thick tar that eventually builds up in the lungs the same way nicotine does. Just as smoking cigarettes can lead to severe health problems stemming from problems with the lungs such as lung cancer, so can marijuana use.

Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

Marijuana use can pose significant health risks to anyone who smokes it in addition to being disruptive to your daily life due in part to the ‘high’ achieved by its active ingredient, THC. More and more studies are being done every day to examine both long-term and short-term effects and just how much damage smoking marijuana is causing the human body. Being weed free and smoke free in general is by far the healthiest way for you and your loved ones to live happy, healthy lives.

Joseph R. Giove uses Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy to gently reset your brain patterns in order to diminish your desire to smoke weed. He uses no outside chemicals or carcinogens as other ‘quit smoking’ techniques may use. Only the power of the mind, which in the end, is our most powerful tool.

May 13, 2016
Smoking and Lung Cancer
The link to smoking tobacco, cigarettes in particular, and lung cancer is widely known and has been heavily researched. Smoking cigarettes means ingesting some 4000 chemicals in addition to tobacco, and causes close to 90{cb12661b2b7fd86e618703ac3a1bf5df9897d897450d7668a57e7745cc225577} of its users to develop some form of lung cancer in their lifetime.

Doctors use a term called ‘pack-year smoking’. This term refers to how many packs of cigarettes are smoked per day multiplied by the amount of years smoked. For example, if a person smokes two packs per day for 10 years, then they would be a 20 pack-year smoker. One in seven people who smoke at least two packs per day will die from lung cancer. If you are a 30 pack-year smoker then your risk of lung cancer is even higher. Clearly we can see that the more you smoke, the higher your risk. However, it is important to note that smoking is dangerous at any pack-year level, and that there is actually no safe amount that you can smoke without increasing your risk of contracting lung cancer.

Smoking cigarettes in any quantity means that you will be twenty five times more likely than nonsmokers to have lung cancer. The risks posed to those who smoke cigars or pipes can be less, but are nevertheless five times more likely to get lung cancer than a nonsmoker.

Smoking and Chest Pain

Smoking cigarettes is hands down one of the most dangerous things a person can do to their body. A common misconception is that smoking only affects the lungs In reality, it affects all muscles in the body including the biggest muscle: the heart. The lungs are in charge of taking in the oxygen the body needs in order to function, and muscles in particular rely heavily on this. Often times smokers will experience tightness, or even pain in their chest area after smoking a cigarette. Many smokers wonder why this is, and the answer is that your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen in order to function properly.

Smoking cigarettes causes the following to happen to your heart:
- Hardening of the arteries
- Reduction of blood flow
- Increased blood pressure
- Buildup of cholesterol
- Increased chance of blood clots
- Increased chance of heart attack and stroke
If chest pains are a common occurrence after smoking a cigarette, or anytime for that matter, then you should consult a physician. What the doctor will most likely tell you is to quit smoking immediately or be at significant risk for a heart attack. The most painless and chemical-free way to quit smoking is with Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. Joseph R. Giove is a certified Clinical Hypnotist who can help you ease you into the life of a nonsmoker.

The Types and Stages of Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer is commonly broken down into two main categories:
- Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Small Cell Lung Cancer is found in about 15{cb12661b2b7fd86e618703ac3a1bf5df9897d897450d7668a57e7745cc225577} of all lung cancer patients in the United States. Small cell is categorized as a cancer that is only found in one side of the chest, usually just one lung and the lymph nodes around it. This is called the limited stage. The next stage is called the extensive stage which involves the spread of cancer to other areas of the body.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer is the more commonly found form, and it is prevalent in the other 85{cb12661b2b7fd86e618703ac3a1bf5df9897d897450d7668a57e7745cc225577} of all lung cancer patients. This type breaks down into the following categories:
- Adenocarcinoma – the most common form of lung cancer
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma – second most common form of lung cancer
- Large Cell Carcinoma – accounts for ten percent of all lung cancer cases
These categories can be further broken down into four stages:
1. Cancer is detected only in one lung
2. The cancer has spread from the lung to the nearby lymph nodes
3. The cancer has spread to the middle of the chest. This comes when the cancer has spread around the collarbone and the opposite side of the chest
4. The cancer has spread to both lungs, the fluid around the lungs, and other vital organs. This is called the ‘Advanced Disease’ stage.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer

While only an in-person checkup with your physician can tell you the extent of the damage caused by smoking cigarettes, there are some symptoms that could give you an indication that you should talk to your doctor sooner than later. Additionally, consulting with a professional smoking cessation professional such as Hypnotherapist Joseph R. Giove can help the transition to a smoke-free lifestyle.

There are several symptoms that can be indicative of lung cancer, and any of these symptoms should prompt you to seek medical advice as soon as possible. Some of these symptoms include:
- Intense and prolonged coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Harsh sounds when breathing or talking
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Coughing blood
These symptoms occur in the lungs but there are others that can occur in places other than the lungs. Fatigue, blood clots, and loss of weight and muscle are some of these symptoms.

Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

There are many, many medical studies that clearly show the link between smoking nicotine and its effects on the body, particularly lung cancer. Lung cancer is one of the most frightening outcomes of smoking, and it affects an alarming percentage of all smokers, 90{cb12661b2b7fd86e618703ac3a1bf5df9897d897450d7668a57e7745cc225577}. Lung cancer can affect anyone who smokes cigarettes, but increases in probability the more cigarettes smoked per day and of course the length of time spent smoking. This means that you have a 90{cb12661b2b7fd86e618703ac3a1bf5df9897d897450d7668a57e7745cc225577} chance of contracting lung cancer if you smoke and a 1 in 7 chance of dying from it if you smoke heavily for an extended period of time.

Joseph R. Giove is a certified Clinical Hypnotist with a proven track record of helping people quit smoking without any of the harmful chemicals and carcinogens that are often found in other ‘stop smoking’ methods. Quitting smoking today has been proven to add on average up to 17 years to your life, and Joseph R. Giove can help you achieve your goal.
May 10, 2016
Nicotine Health Effects
When you talk to most people about serious health risks, it’s almost a guarantee that smoking will be brought up. After all, stopping smoking is one of the single most important things one can do to reduce their risk of cancer and heart disease and start to feel better physically as a whole.

But at Joseph R. Giove Clinical Hypnosis, I’ve noticed that a number of people don’t fully understand just what it is about smoking that keeps them coming back or what damages their health. While things like the tar and the various carcinogens within a cigarette are understood, the various health effects of nicotine aren’t as widely talked about.

This is especially problematic since many people switch from smoking cigarettes to using electronic cigarettes or even nicotine gum or patches. They’re still getting their nicotine, but through method that doesn’t come with the tar and the more than 4,000 toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke.

However, what they don’t realize is that nicotine itself has a variety of impacts on the human body and its overall health and wellbeing. In other words, using any kind of nicotine product is something you should stop doing. Otherwise you’ll be putting yourself at risk for a variety of health issues.

What Is Nicotine?

First, it’s worth understanding the basics of what nicotine itself actually is. There are a few basic points that can help explain this to you clearly.
- Nicotine is a type of compound known as a parasympathomimetic alkaloid.
- It’s found in the leaves of the nightshade family of plants and heavily in tobacco plants.
- It makes up between 0.6 and 3{cb12661b2b7fd86e618703ac3a1bf5df9897d897450d7668a57e7745cc225577} of the total dry weight of tobacco.
In short, it’s a chemical compound found in plants. But beyond that, nicotine is a drug – just like the many illegal drugs available throughout the country. It acts as a stimulant, and also triggers various psychoactive effects on the user. This includes feelings of relaxation, appetite reduction, and mood elevation. It works as a stimulant and a relaxant and as such is a bit different from many other drugs out there.

The Many Health Effects

Now it’s time to get into the health effects of nicotine. When a cigarette is smoked, the nicotine is absorbed by the lungs and enters the blood, reaching the brain in about seven seconds in most cases. This triggers the release of a variety of different chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which brings the calming effect with it. But that nicotine-rich blood is now moving throughout the body and can have a wide range of impacts on it. The various health effects of nicotine include the following.
- A serious increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which can trigger angina and other heart related issues. This is especially true in patients already suffering from some form of heart related illness.
- An increase in the chance of developing cardiovascular disease has been linked to nicotine use as well. This applies to nicotine no matter how it is used to enter the body, from patches to smoking and beyond.
- Nicotine can trigger a variety of different gastrointestinal problems. This includes nausea, diarrhea, and peptic ulcers.
- It also leads to dry mouth and heartburn.
- Nicotine has been linked to headaches, dizziness, and abnormal sleeping patterns.
- The impact of nicotine on the circulatory system is especially profound, and it has been linked to an increase in the chance of clots, an enlarged aorta, damaged vessels, and more.
It’s true that currently there are only mild links between cancer and nicotine itself, though researchers disagree as to whether or not the use of nicotine will lead to cancer. Some studies have shown that it can occur, and that tumor growth is increased directly by nicotine. In other words, the risk of cancer from nicotine is something worth paying attention to – just because you’re not smoking doesn’t mean you’re not placing yourself at an added risk.

Pregnant Women, Fetuses, And Nicotine

Pregnant women in particular need to avoid the use of nicotine. No matter how the chemical enters the body, it will find its way into the bloodstream and will then be passed to the unborn child. This has been connected to numerous health issues including:
- Reduced brain development
- Hypoxia – an issue where the fetus isn’t properly nourished
- Reduced strength and performance of blood vessels leading to the child
- Altered brain development
- Abnormalities in muscle tone
- Increased chance of facial clefts
Nicotine is also present in breast milk of nursing mothers who smoke, highlighting yet another way that babies could be exposed to this drug.

Nicotine Addiction

Of course, we can’t talk about nicotine and your health without talking about the key reason that smoking is so hard to stop for millions – addiction. Nicotine is the substance within cigarettes that users become addicted to, due to the impact it has on the brain’s natural chemistry.

By triggering the release of pleasure causing compounds within the brain, nicotine quickly develops into a chemical that users are addicted to. Some studies have suggested that it’s even more addictive than cocaine, and while it doesn’t have the same level of health effects that cocaine use will bring with it, the prevalence of nicotine use means that it’s just as large of a problem for society.

Due to the highly addictive nature of the drug, users have a difficult time stopping its use and instead often stop smoking by using patches or e-cigarettes. However, this still doesn’t remove the health risks associated with nicotine itself. As a result, it’s important to find a way to completely stop using nicotine.

Hypnosis can help. It’s a proven technique that has helped thousands in the Bay area put down the cigarettes and e-cigs, step away from the patches and gum, and live a completely nicotine-free life. Complete cessation is the only way to avoid the many health effects that nicotine can have on one’s life, and as such it’s well worth looking into all of your options for doing just that – including hypnosis.
February 24, 2016
Cigarette Smoking And Impotence
Medical science regularly focuses on finding the information needed to keep us as healthy as possible. And along with cures for diseases and illnesses, a lot of that research focuses instead on prevention. It makes sense – preventing problems is much easier than correcting them, after all. To do so, we need to identify, understand, and avoid health risks.

One of the biggest health risks in history is certainly smoking cigarettes. This habit has been proven to directly cause or lead to heart disease, cancer, and a variety of other health issues. But at Joseph R. Giove Clinical Hypnosis, I’m surprised at how many people don’t realize the full extent of smoking and how it can impact other parts of their health.

For many, there are certain health issues that are linked to smoking that can come as a surprise. A perfect example of this is in impotence and sexual dysfunction, and it’s important to take a closer look at this problem and how smoking can impact it.

The Hard Data

First, it’s worth taking a look at the numbers related to this issue. A recent study involving over 4,700 men looked at sexual relationships and lifestyle choices. Here’s what the survey found.
- Current and former smokers were roughly 30{cb12661b2b7fd86e618703ac3a1bf5df9897d897450d7668a57e7745cc225577} more likely to be dealing with impotence of some kind than those who had never smoked.
- Heavy smokers – those who smoke more than a pack a day – have a 60{cb12661b2b7fd86e618703ac3a1bf5df9897d897450d7668a57e7745cc225577} higher chance of impotence, in particular erectile dysfunction.
- 15{cb12661b2b7fd86e618703ac3a1bf5df9897d897450d7668a57e7745cc225577} of those who smoke or have smoked in the past reported that they have experienced erectile dysfunction at least once.
- About 12{cb12661b2b7fd86e618703ac3a1bf5df9897d897450d7668a57e7745cc225577} of non-smokers reported experiencing erectile dysfunction.
But that’s just one study. Another program actually examined things like erection strength throughout the course of the study. Here’s a look at some of the numbers from that study.
- At the beginning of the study, about 20{cb12661b2b7fd86e618703ac3a1bf5df9897d897450d7668a57e7745cc225577} of participants stated that they suffered from erectile dysfunction.
- When the study concluded, 75{cb12661b2b7fd86e618703ac3a1bf5df9897d897450d7668a57e7745cc225577} of those who had quit smoking reported experiencing no more problems with impotence
- Those who avoided nicotine altogether developed larger and firmer erections – but these changes only came upon stopping all nicotine, not just smoking in general.
In other words, the evidence is overwhelming – smoking directly causes and worsens impotence and other sexual dysfunction problems. In addition to impacting your health in a dramatic way, it may also be hurting your sex life.

Why Does Smoking Impact Impotence?

The next thing you probably want to understand is how this happens and why smoking causes impotence at all. This isn’t difficult to understand if you take a closer look at how smoking works and how it can impact your life.

First, you’ll need to understand erectile dysfunction itself. Basically, this is a problem wherein the penis fails to fill completely with blood. When the arteries within the penis fill with blood, they expand and create an erection. Poor arterial blood supply means that an erection is difficult to attain – the more blood, the better.

But smoking impedes the blood flow within your body. The chemicals in cigarette smoke damage the blood vessels significantly. This in turn can restrict blood flow moving through them, which in turn means that there isn’t as much blood moving to the penis when there should be. Add to this the fact that smoking can weaken or damage the heart, reducing its ability to pump blood throughout the body effectively, and it isn’t hard to see just how smoking impacts impotence.

Additionally, it’s worth remembering that the blood flow moving throughout the body is dictated by the nervous system. Research shows that smoking can directly impact the nervous system as well, and as a result it can be much harder to get or maintain an erection – the brain isn’t able to properly control the blood flow, and even when it does the damaged arteries make it harder to get the erection.

Additional Health Risks

Along with outright impotence, it’s important to pay attention to the fact that smoking can impact a lot of other aspects of your health that may directly relate to sexual performance. Things like respiratory health, cardiovascular health, and more can all impact your sexual health due to their potential influence on health overall. In short, your smoking will not only directly influence your sex life, but indirectly as well.

And many of the health problems that smoking causes will also have an influence on sex. For example, something like heart disease could trigger fatigue which in turn can reduce your overall desire for sex. This is just one example.

All in all, it’s important to understand that your body is a finely tuned machine, and introducing any chemicals to it that shouldn’t be part of it will undoubtedly impact your health and the way the body performs. This includes your sexual performance.

Overcoming The Problem

Luckily, if you’re experiencing impotence as a result of smoking, there’s hope. The studies show that after smoking, impotence issues lessen dramatically and the strength of erections increase significantly. Just putting down the cigarettes is enough to start moving back towards a healthier you overall and a healthier you in the bedroom.

But, with that said, remember that the data shows that it’s not just smoking that can impact an erection – it’s nicotine itself. In other words, if you’re looking to improve your sexual performance you can’t just stop smoking by using patches, gum, or those electronic cigarettes. Instead, you need to stop nicotine use entirely.

Hypnosis is a perfect way to do so, and offers a way to stop smoking without the use of supporting nicotine. This lets you put down the smokes and start moving towards a healthier you – and a healthier sex life – naturally. Science has proven that it’s highly effective, and that it’s one of the absolute best ways to stop smoking for good.

If you’re a smoker who is dealing with erection problems it might be time to stop smoking. The impact on your life can’t be overstated, and it’s something that you can’t afford to ignore any longer.
February 10, 2016
E Cigarettes And Spitting Up Blood
Smoking has been part of this country for centuries. After all, tobacco farms were part of the earliest economy in the nation. But today, things are changing. Medical science has recognized the numerous dangers associated with smoking and most Americans have taken steps to stop smoking. Teen use of cigarettes is lower than ever, and the number of people using them in general is falling annually.

But along with the decline in smoking traditional cigarettes has come a dramatic rise in the number of people using electronic cigarettes. Also called e-cigarettes or e-cigs, these devices are marketed as a safer way to stop smoking. And thanks to the marketing and the various flavors offered, these trendy devices are growing in popularity among everyone – including teens.

But are they really safe? There are plenty of things you need to understand about these e-cigs including the fact that many users report spitting up blood after use. That’s just one issue, but it’s one that can be incredibly alarming. At Joseph R. Giove Clinical Hypnosis, I think it’s important to take a closer look at these devices and why when you’re ready to stop smoking, hypnosis is a better option.

What Is An E Cigarette And How Does It Work?

First, you’ll want to learn the basics of what an e-cigarette is. These units are either shaped like a cigarette, or shaped somewhat like a pipe with a large box-like chamber with a thin column coming out of it. Either way, they work with the same basic principle.

A chamber within the e-cig is filled with a liquid mixture including nicotine and a compound similar to water. Flavorings ranging from mint to cotton candy and beyond may be added as well. When the user takes a ‘drag’ from the electronic cigarette, a battery activates a heating element which vaporizes the fluid inside. The resulting vapor is inhaled like one would inhale smoke from a cigarette.

The idea is that since you’re inhaling only vapor and nicotine, these are a safer option than traditional smoking. But while there are fewer carcinogens found within the e-cigarette vapor so far, there are still risks that have been found – and more likely will be uncovered in the future.

E Cigarette Use And Spitting Up Blood

One problem that many e-cigarette users report experiencing is spitting up blood after use – whether short term or long term. This issue can also occur with traditional smoking, and some online forums suggest that the blood and phlegm being coughed up is actually caused by your body getting rid of the remnants of your smoking past, not by the electronic cigarette itself.

But consider some of the following reasons that an e-cig can cause you to spit up blood and you’ll see that it goes beyond just ‘I used to smoke’ as an excuse.
- The lungs and the mucus membranes within them and your airways are incredibly sensitive. Not only will they quickly absorb compounds that they come into contact with, but they can also be damaged easily. The chemicals in some vape mixes can cause damage fast.
- For many, the flavorings are a major draw of e-cigs. But there are some that can irritate the mucus membranes significantly, and some people may actually have allergies to the different ingredients. These irritants can cause the bleeding to occur as well.
- In some instances there have been reports of e-cigs overheating. If this occurs the vapor you inhale could be much hotter than normal, and may damage the mucus membranes of the lungs and airways. This may result in coughing or spitting up blood.
- Irritation from coughing due to vapor inhaled may also damage the airways and the lungs. This can trigger the problem of spitting up blood as well.
- The respiratory system is very delicate and as a result it can easily become infected. When you expose it to chemicals and irritants like those found in electronic cigarettes, you can worsen those infections dramatically. These infections can lead to significant problems as well.
All in all, your respiratory health is directly related to how you take care of yourself and your body. While e-cigs might very well be safer than cigarettes – and the evidence isn’t conclusive on that yet – the fact remains that every puff you take off an e-cig is putting your body at risk of damage. That damage can directly lead to spitting up blood.

The Problem With The Research

There’s a big problem when you start looking at e-cig related research that needs to be addressed as well. That problem is simple – the evidence is too new. There haven’t been nearly enough studies into e-cigs yet. However, the research that has been done has uncovered that they’re not as safe as once thought. In fact, just the flavorings used in them have been found to contain multiple types of cancer causing compounds.

And because electronic cigarette use is still so new, it’s too early to know about the long term effects of these products. There are ongoing studies happening now, but at the moment we’re just not sure how they will impact the health and wellness of users on a long term basis. Some additional research may uncover more reasons that spitting up blood could occur from e cig use.

Stopping Matters

Simply put, stopping smoking is one of the best steps you can take for your health. But that includes all types of smoking – even electronic cigarette use. As such it’s important that you consider taking the right steps towards a healthier you.

Spitting up blood is cause for concern for sure, and could be a sign of an even more serious problem. E-cigarettes can irritate the airways dramatically and as a result of this, they’re not a ‘stop smoking safely’ option. Instead, consider using natural and highly effective methods of putting down the smokes for good. Hypnosis is one option that is backed by decades of research, and one that’s much healthier than the e-cigarette can ever be – and you won’t have to worry about spitting up blood when you use it, either.
February 3, 2016
Does E-Cigarette Smoking Affect Your Lungs?
There is, at this point, no argument within the medical community or the public at large that smoking cigarettes can seriously impact your health in a negative way. Smoking has one of the largest negative influences on your health possible, and it’s important to stop smoking if you’re already a smoker.

To stop smoking, however, many people are turning to the use of electronic cigarettes, also called e-cigs or e-cigarettes for short. These devices are supposed to replicate the act of smoking and provide the body with the nicotine it’s addicted to, but without the hazardous chemicals found in traditional cigarettes.

And the basic data explains why it’s such a popular option. After all, cigarette smoke contains about 4,000 toxic chemicals and every puff you take pulls those cancer causing agents into your lungs. E-cigs, the argument goes, don’t have all those carcinogens. You’re exposing yourself only to water vapor and nicotine.

But is this really accurate? Does e-cigarette smoking affect your lungs? The answer should be obvious, but it’s one I get here at Joseph R. Giove Clinical Hypnosis often. As such, I think it’s time to take a closer look at the subject to help you understand more about just why you need to rethink your position on e-cigs.

Your Lungs

First, let’s start with a brief point to understand about your lungs and airways. The respiratory system is made up of a large number of mucus membranes, from your sinuses to your lungs and all points in between. These mucus membranes are incredibly delicate and easily absorb almost any compound that they come in contact with. In other words, each puff off of an e-cig means that you’re putting what’s in those e-cigs into your lungs, and that your respiratory system is absorbing the compounds and chemicals within them.

What Is An E-Cig?

Now we need to look at the e-cigarette itself. E-cigs are small units that are made up of a battery, heating element, and cartridge. The cartridge contains a liquid mixture made up of flavoring, nicotine, and some liquid that vaporizes easily, usually propylene glycol. Advertisements suggest that it’s just ‘water vapor’ you’re inhaling, but that’s not entirely accurate.

When you take a drag on the e-cig, the battery switches the heating element on. This heat vaporizes the liquid, and the vapor that you inhale is the resulting cloud of ‘smoke’ that you see being exhaled. The various flavors are part of why about 2.5 million teens try these e-cigs, and why they’re so popular among adults as well.

E-Cigarette Smoking And Your Lungs

Now that you understand the basics behind your lungs and their mucus membranes – and the basics of e-cigs – you should be able to understand why the assumption that e-cigs are safe isn’t a good one to make. The reason is obvious. You’re still breathing in large amounts of chemicals and exposing your lungs to them. In fact, the amount of vapor inhaled from certain e-cigs is surprisingly large.
Sadly, e-cigs are still so new that long-term studies haven’t been completed yet. What research does exist is gradually starting to reveal some disturbing facts. Here’s a look at some of the things you need to consider.
- You’re still putting nicotine into your body. And while there hasn’t been an increased risk of cancer found with e-cigs and nicotine, the drug can damage arteries, increase the chance of heart attacks, and increase blood pressure. Additionally, nicotine is the addictive substance found in smoking. Not only can it damage your lungs, but it can keep you hooked on the use of e-cigs.
- There is no FDA regulation on e-cigs and their ingredients. As such, your lungs could be exposed to a wide range of chemicals that could damage them in significant ways. There’s no way to know for sure what is in an e-cig cartridge or mixture since there are no regulations in place.
- A 2014 study found that aerosol from high-voltage e-cigs contains higher levels of formaldehyde. This carcinogen can cause cancer and have other health impacts on your lungs as well as the rest of your body.
- Several other cancer causing chemicals have been found in studies, though the specific chemicals in an e-cig varies from product to product due to the aforementioned lack of FDA regulations.
- The most recent study, completed in 2015, found that the actual flavorings used in e-cigarettes were particularly dangerous. Chemicals linked to respiratory disease and lung cancer have been found in 47 out of 51 flavors tested in the study. In short, these flavors are a main draw of ‘vaping’, but actually also serve as one of the biggest dangers.
Add to this the fact that most medical experts and researchers agree that there isn’t enough evidence to determine for sure what kind of long term damage e-cigarette smoking can cause, and it becomes clear that your lungs could be paying a heavier price than you realize whenever you use an e-cigarette. They may be safer than traditional cigarettes, but that’s not really saying much.

Additionally, those who are already at risk of health issues like those suffering from lupus or other immune or respiratory-specific illnesses need to remember that e-cigs can make their conditions even worse.

Quitting Nicotine Is Possible

Whether you picked up e-cigs to stop smoking traditional cigarettes or have always been an e-cig user and nothing else, it’s important to remember that there you can stop. Nicotine is the primary reason that people are addicted to smoking any kind of cigarette – electronic or traditional – and breaking free of nicotine addiction is important for them to do.

Hypnotherapy offers a way to do just that, and to do so without the risk of health conditions, lung damage, or any other similar problem occurring. Studies have found that hypnosis can work to help improve your ability to stop smoking, and the power of mental suggestion is something that can directly lead to improved health and wellbeing. If you’re serious about improving your life, don’t’ look for bubble gum flavored e-cigs. Look at a viable option that will actually work.
January 20, 2016
Electronic Cigarettes And Lupus

Head out into public and within a few minutes there’s a very good chance that you’ll see at least one or two people puffing away on an electronic cigarette. Humans have always had a fascination with smoking, it seems, and over the years it’s evolved from pipes to cigarettes and cigars and now to our modern version of smoking – vaping.

While it’s marketed as a safer alternative to cigarettes, vaping – the use of electronic cigarettes – does still have health risks to consider, and the research is too young to accurately determine what kind of a long term impact electronic cigarettes can have on your health. Those with existing health issues will likely find that e-cigs could continue to cause them additional trouble that traditional cigarettes did. A perfect example of this is lupus, and at Joseph R. Giove Clinical Hypnosis I’ve regularly seen the impact of e-cigs on those with disorders like lupus.

As such, I think it’s worth taking a closer look at this subject in order to show just how important it is to find alternative options for smoking cessation – and why hypnosis is a great option for doing just that.

Electronic Cigarettes

First, we’ll begin with understanding the basics of electronic cigarettes. E-cigs are generally shaped either like a traditional cigarette or with a larger box at the bottom of the unit with a nozzle leading upwards. One design looks like a cigarette, the other resembles a pipe in some aspects.

No matter the design, they work similarly. Cartridges with a liquid mixture of nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals – usually propylene glycol – are loaded into the unit. When a ‘drag’ from the e-cig is taken the chemicals are heated up and turned to vapor, which is then inhaled like a regular puff from a cigarette.

They’re marketed as a safe alternative to traditional smoking since many of the carcinogens present in cigarette smoke are missing. But research done into them has been very minimal and still suggests numerous health risks. Additionally, the long term health risks are unknown and there is reason to believe that in the future, a wide range of additional health issues may be linked to e-cigs.

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can damage a wide range of the body. Essentially, those with lupus suffer because their body’s immune system attacks the organs and tissues within it – your body is attacking health cells and tissues. This can lead to rashes, inflammation, increased infections, fatigue, joint pain, and more. In severe cases it can cause significant health problems to occur.

Unfortunately, lupus is a disease that still isn’t’ fully understood. Causes aren’t entirely known and treatment generally focuses on controlling symptoms instead of curing the disease. As such, it’s a serious condition and doing all that you can to manage and control it is important.

Lupus And Smoking

A lot of research has been done into the dangers of smoking, and some of it has focused on how it impacts lupus sufferers. The medical community agrees that stopping smoking will have the biggest positive impact on lupus possible.

The big reason is that those with lupus are at increased risk of infections, and respiratory infections are the most common types of infections that they develop. On their own, smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of developing bronchitis and pneumonia. When a lupus sufferer smokes, that risk is only increased further.

The other dangers are directly associated with the fact that lupus sufferers are already at an increased risk for health issues that smoking can cause. This includes cardiac disease and heart attacks – lupus patients are at a greater risk of heart disease, and smoking only makes this worse. The same goes for the circulatory system, the kidneys, and the liver.

In short, lupus patients who smoke are increasing their risks of health conditions dramatically due to the combination of their medical condition and the health impact of smoking. It’s a dangerous connection and one that needs to be addressed.

What About E-Cigs?

The general argument for e-cigs is simple – they’re not cigarettes, and as such they provide nicotine in a much safer method of action. But the reality is that the mucus membranes of the respiratory system are incredibly delicate and easily absorb chemicals and compound that touch them. Each puff from an e-cig places a variety of chemicals within the respiratory system.

A lupus sufferer already has a weekend immune system and are more likely to develop respiratory problems, and when a drag from an e-cig is taken it makes it more likely that those illnesses will develop. Despite the supposed ‘safety’, it’s still a risk – especially when you’re suffering from lupus.

Add this to the fact that e-cigs haven’t been fully tested for long-term effects and the fact that there is no FDA approval needed and it becomes clear that lupus sufferers need to avoid e-cigs completely for the sake of their health.

What Can Be Done?

Stopping smoking doesn’t have to mean picking up an electronic cigarette. There are options that can allow you to break free of smoking entirely and focus your attention on coping with lupus. At Joseph R. Giove Clinical Hypnosis, I use a drug free approach to helping patients stop smoking for good.

The key is understanding the power of the mind and using mental suggestion to rework the way that your mind thinks and works. It sounds simple, and at its basic level it is. But it’s something that is only possible with the help of an experienced hypnotherapist due to the process involved.

Lupus sufferers need to stop smoking, and they need to do so entirely – not just by continuing to smoke in a different form. And when you consider the health impacts that smoking can have on anyone’s health, it becomes clear that hypnosis is something everyone who smokes should consider. It’s been proven to be effective, and thousands of people have been able to put down their smokes for good thanks to my help. It’s worth trying for yourself.

January 17, 2016

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