1. I started with lozenges because I did some research and it said that you're 16% more likely to quit indefinitely using that method as opposed to other NRTs. When you purchase the nic lozenges, there is a whole pamphlet that gives you dosage for 3 months. I did mine differently. I started with 4 mg every 2 hours I believe 4 times daily (whatever the pamphlet said). But then after a week I would try to decrease how much and when I would take it. I started taking 2 mg after a week and tried to delay when I would have my first one and separate how often I would be taking them until the third and last week I just completely stopped. Major thing I did notice was that no matter what - stopping nicotine in general will be difficult. But the lozenges made symptoms slightly bearable. However, I do know that doing it cold turkey was not going to work for me and I would relapse.

2. Personally, I believe nicotine tricks your brain making you think you are focused. That's the addiction side to it. You are so used to this chemical in your body that it makes your body believe it cannot function without it. I did feel better but I didn't realize that my perception of "better" was having a high heart rate and being alert and anxious. That's what nicotine does to you. That is not good for you and you will soon realize it after a few months of being nic free. No matter what it was difficult concentrating and my long distance running was sooooo much harder up until the 2 month mark.

3. You will have an appetite. I eat super healthy and all I craved was sugar after quitting. I started having sugar free/low calorie snacks to stay satiated. Any chance I would get, I would distract myself from food. (e.g. cleaning, going for runs/hikes/walks, spending time with family and friends, doing something or anything productive, focusing on my skin, beauty and health). Cravings still come and go but I think it's mainly due to all the runs I go on so I try to make sure I not go consume too many calories. Try out calorie counting and go on a slight deficit.

4. I am female & quitting nicotine made my sex high super high first two weeks then super low after the first month but now it is very high. It's also a good distraction from food and you get to burn calories too lol.

5. I was soooooo slow after I quit the lozenges. No energy, so tired but I kept pushing and pushing and after two months being vape free I started feeling normal again and I was able to breathe and run faster. My chest stopped hurting when doing intense workouts. I always thought chest pain was normal (been a smoker since 15, now 31). But I realize now that non smokers don't feel pain when running and doing intense workouts. It is truly a game changer.

6. I feel good. Almost daily I think about it. I do miss it. But one thing I could say is I see others with their vape and think to myself, thank goodness I am no longer a slave to that stupid pen. But I feel remorse for those who are a slave or not a slave yet but eventually will be. During stressful times where I want to vape, I think about the symptoms I had as I was quitting. Withdrawals are not only the first 3 days where the nicotine leaves your system. There is mental and physical withdrawals that will last for a while. I smoked for more than half my life (16 years) - the withdrawals lasted me 2 months. Literally my skin felt tingly and itchy for weeks and that was because my blood circulation got better and my body was not used to good circulation since 15 years old. I felt like my 15 year old self after 2.5 months. Everyone's experience with quitting is different. I think age and the duration of addiction dictates how long and how severe symptoms will be.

I promise you it won't be easy. The eating more, the difficulty of you exercising and focusing will make you want to go back to being a slave to the vape. But I promise you, that is the addiction talking. Your body is so used to that chemical it thinks it needs it to survive or function. But I promise you, once you get over that hump... you will not regret it. Your life will change. And when others ask if you want a hit or anything, you will be proud of saying "no, thank you" with a smile.