The Pleasant Smell Will Reduce The Cravings For Cigarettes

The pleasant smell will reduce the cravings for cigarettes

The desire to take a cigarette and smoke can be interrupted by inhaling the aroma of chocolate, mint or vanilla. Researchers have noted the ability of pleasant smells to distract smokers from thoughts of their own cravings for nicotine by using memories or associations associated with these smells.

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Intentionally inhaling the pleasant scent reduces the urge to smoke and can be part of an effective smoking cessation strategy, according to an American study published online in the American Psychological Association's Journal of Abnormal Psychology.

About half of adult smokers report trying to quit, but one in two relapse within two weeks.

“Even with nicotine substitutes, relapse is common. New interventions are urgently needed to help the millions who want to quit but cannot,”said lead study author Michael Sayette of the University of Pittsburgh.

The study involved 232 smokers between the ages of 18 and 55 who did not try to quit smoking or used nicotine substitutes such as gum or vaping. They were required not to smoke for eight hours before the experiment, but to bring along a pack of their preferred cigarettes and a lighter.

Participants first sniffed the bottles and rated a number of different scents that are generally considered pleasant (eg, chocolate, apple, peppermint, lemon, or vanilla), as well as the tobacco smell from the participant's preferred cigarettes, one unpleasant chemical odor and one empty (odorless). They were then asked to light a cigarette and hold it in their hands, but not smoke. After 10 seconds, participants verbally rated their desire to smoke on a scale of 1 to 100 before extinguishing the cigarette and putting it in the ashtray.

In a series of experiments, it was found that cravings for cigarettes diminished after inhaling the pleasant aromas. Researchers have noted the ability of pleasant smells to distract smokers from their thoughts about their cravings for nicotine through memories or associations associated with these smells. For example, the scent of peppermint reminded some of the attendees of their grandparents' childhood Christmas holidays.

“Despite disappointing relapse rates, there have been few new approaches to quitting in general and reducing cravings in particular. Using pleasant smells to disrupt smoking habits may be a special and previously unknown method of reducing cravings, and our results in achieving this goal are promising,”added Michael Sayette.

Research has shown that the use of pleasant fragrances can help control nicotine cravings in people trying to quit smoking. However, more research is needed to validate this theory - whether this approach can be useful alone or in combination with other methods that help you quit smoking.