smokerZchoice™

HOW IT WORKS

How lobeline, theobromine, and chocolate work to reduce cravings for cigarettes and tobacco products and ameliorate the negative effects caused by smoking.

For answers to other frequently asked questions about smokerZchoice™, see our FAQs Page

How Nicotine Causes Cravings
Nicotine addiction makes it very difficult for many smokers to quit. When smokers inhale smoke from a cigarette, nicotine reaches the brain within seconds and binds to nicotinic receptors, which activates the reward pathway in brain circuitry. This stimulates the pleasure center in the brain. The initial effects recede quickly and a cycle of craving and withdrawal takes hold.

There is a considerable body of evidence in the academic, scientific and addiction research community that nicotine use at any level (smoking, smokeless tobacco, pipes, cigars, etc.) can result in the development of chemical dependence. Nicotine has a dynamic effect in the brain causing dysregulation and derangements from its allosteric (normal) state.

Scientific literature and clinical research suggests that neurochemical and behavioral actions resulting from chronic abuse of nicotine dependence has a commonly linked mechanism of action. The chronic relapsing nature of dependence resulting in this constant state of dysregulation and derangement is associated with the recruitment of key neurotransmitters acting through the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAchR) complex and having secondary or rolling effect on the gamma–aminobutyric acid (GABA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA) receptors. The maladapted activity of these receptors and their subsets as a result of nicotine use is hypothesized to be primarily responsible for their ongoing contribution to a continuing pattern of reinforcement, sensitization and craving.

How Lobeline Works
Lobeline works by partially activating the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChrs) and by this mechanism of action is able to reduce the severity of the smoker's craving and the withdrawal symptoms from nicotine. Lobeline may be able to diminish the sense of satisfaction associated with smoking via its inhibitory mechanism of dopamine uptake and pre-synaptic release. In addition, although lobeline binds with high affinity to the nAChrs it does not up-regulate nicotinic receptors as does nicotine. This also may help to prevent the cycle of nicotine addiction by inhibiting reinforcement.

The lobeline based formulations used in smokerZchoice™ have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). These formulas have been developed and are manufactured with the highest standards of the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States (HPUS). The USFDA recognizes these pharmaceutical standards and they are rigidly enforced just as with all other pharmaceutical products. All pharmaceutical compounds manufactured for use in smokerZchoice™ are in accordance with FDA guidelines. The manufacturing of smokerZchoice™ takes place in certified facilities under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). These facilities are regularly inspected in order to insure the highest levels of regulatory compliance.

How Theobromine and Chocolate Work
Theobromine and chocolate work as mild stimulants, and are used in smokerZchoice™ formulations because they support the relaxation of the smooth muscles of the bronchi in the lungs and may promote reversal of endothelial dysfunction in smokers. This dysfunction in smokers results when endothelial cells are unable to produce Nitric Oxide (NO) to the same extent as healthy endothelial cells and therefore normal vasodilatation is reduced. Theobromine as expressed in dark chocolate may improve blood flow by lowering endothelial dysfunction in smokers. Smoking is bad for your skin. It blocks the flow of oxygen and nutrients through capillaries, reduces skin-moisture content, decreases the amount of collagen produced and causes discoloration and loss of elasticity. Because of its ability to dilate blood vessels and improve micro vascular blood flow, theobromine may also be able to improve certain skin conditions and even reverse smokers skin so prevalent in women smokers.

A clinical trial, published in Heart, examined the effects of dark chocolate on endothelial cell dysfunction and platelet activation in smokers. Endothelial cell function was measured by ultrasound before and after the subjects ate dark chocolate containing 70% cocoa. This study shows that consumption of dark chocolate significantly improves endothelial and platelet dysfunction in male smokers, possibly due to the presence of high levels of antioxidants. In addition, the results indicate that dark chocolate may have a direct effect on the vascular and arterial blood flow. The authors of the study note that further study is needed to completely understand the mechanism of action and to confirm these initial results. Interestingly, a second trial published in 2007 has already helped to corroborate these results. In that trial, 11 subjects with smoking-related endothelial dysfunction consumed high-flavanol chocolate daily for one week, and the results showed that this treatment led to a sustained reversal of endothelial dysfunction. Future studies that include women and non-smokers are also needed. However, the authors of this trial concluded that a small daily intake of dark chocolate may beneficially affect vascular health.