Medical Breakthrough: Cranial Electrotherapy Leading Fight against Cigarette Smoking

Of all forms of addiction, tobacco is the most regularly abused. This is majorly because of its addictive content, nicotine. Addiction is majorly characterized by its rewarding and compulsive nature. These two make quitting a difficult process. Addiction has little or no regard to health consequences, however dire. It is said most smokers recognize use of tobacco as harmful and often they express a desire to moderate or desist from using it in vain. Reports indicate close to 35 million tobacco users express willingness to shun however over 85 percent of them who take their own initiatives each year often relapse, mostly within a week. And yet a very small portion of the remaining 15% attains full recovery.

How Cigarette Smokers Get Addicted to Nicotine

The addictive substance nicotine once smoked causes a number of effects in the brain. Nicotine like other addictive substances activates pleasure axes of the brain. It also increases levels of one key pleasure causing chemical component of the brain called dopamine. The brain has a way of developing a pathway of things commonly used through a process neuroplasticity. This way long term exposure to nicotine leads to increased levels of dopamine production. The whole process therefore leads to addiction of nicotine and tobacco for that matter. The addictive substance also has pharmacokinetic properties, which acts to reinforce the addiction. Learn more about nicotine addiction via www.awaremednetwork.com.

The road leading to addiction is as straight as the above explanation. Nicotine addiction is also rewarding and repetitive, literally making smoking fun. But there are consequences, most of the time dreadful. This reminds us the way back to recovery. Unlike the road down to addiction, the one back to sobriety is rough and bumpy. Sometimes it is so rocky we get stuck, other times it’s so muddy and slippery we get back down to nicotine addiction and wait for another season like the 85%. After a few more attempts, we lose hope and let nature take its course. Recovery then seems impossible, however it is within reach. And we can give it one more shot. Only this time differently. How about battling cigarette smoking using the recent medical breakthrough, cranial electrotherapy?

Symptoms of Nicotine Addiction

Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include anxiety, irritability, increased appetite, craving, depression, short-lived attention spans, and sleep disturbances. There are a number of clinical other methods in use however none comes out a clear cut treatment option. Replacement therapies such as gum, inhalers, and patches may attempt take out the pharmacological characteristics of withdrawal but often cravings never seize. Cranial electrotherapy however is slowly gaining popularity for its convenience, comfort and comparative cost.

New Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is a type of brain stimulus that passes a small, pulsed electric current from one corner to another of a patient’s head to cure some of the addictive symptoms earlier mentioned including; anxiety, depression, chronic pains and insomnia among others. Cranial electrotherapy involves the use of a small hand-held electric, home based medical device. Even though recently approved, CES has been around for some time, it has been used in our psychiatry clinics for a period many years.

Cranial electrotherapy Simulation devices generate 1/1000, the output of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and connected with sponge conductors on both sides of the head. Patients are required to use the device for about 20 minutes twice every day during the first 6 weeks, then less frequently as recommended by a physician. Actually the device is convenient and more easy to use; this is because it allows the patients go about their morning and evening routines comfortably. The electrical current must be gentle, not greater than 4 mA. They are often these often called electroceuticals; not quite as handy as popping a pill, but a lot more convenient than the trans cranial magnetic stimulation or ECT treatments.

Zero Side Effects of CES

Various medical research studies indicate cranial electrotherapy causes no adverse effects other than headache or dizziness in less than 1 of 250 patients. Cranial therapy is again a cheaper way of treatment compared with others. The cost of the CES ranges from $600 to $800 depending on the features and the place of origin, the manufacturer. Reports also purport cranial electrotherapy increases cognitive abilities of the patients, especially when they are chemically dependent. Also, the use of cranial electrotherapy does not need monitoring hence cutting down on costs.

Despite the benefits mentioned immediately above, many experts discourage use of cranial electrotherapy during pregnancy. Research on effects of CES on milk production is ongoing and until it is considered safe, doctors have warned against its use by expectant mothers. Most of the experts however opine cranial electrotherapy has no effect on milk production and or continued lactation. More research on cranial electrotherapy and its’ safety with the expectant and the unborn is ongoing with further revelations expected in this year’s upcoming August Integrative Addiction Medicine Conference. To learn more about the same and sign up for a chance to participate click on: http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com.

Medical Breakthrough: Cranial Electrotherapy Leading Fight Against Cigarette Smoking