In this episode, we dive deep into willpower, nicotine addiction, and the myths of quitting smoking with Sami. We break down typical nicotine junky behavior, how nicotine addiction works, and why nicotine replacement therapies like vapes and patches often fail. Sami shares his unique perspective on why some smokers struggle to quit and why relaxing and enjoying a cigarette might be part of the solution.
00:00 – The truth about willpower
01:30 – Recognizing nicotine junky behavior
04:00 – How nicotine addiction takes control
08:20 – Why nicotine replacements don’t work
13:00 – Vapes, nicotine patches, and their flaws
16:30 – A controversial take: relax and enjoy the cigarette
✔️ Understand That Nicotine Doesn’t Relieve Stress – It only relieves the stress that it created in the first place. The “calm” you feel after smoking is just withdrawal relief, not real relaxation.
✔️ Willpower Isn’t Enough – Quitting is not about resisting cravings but about changing how you see smoking. If you still believe smoking helps you in any way, you’ll always feel like you’re sacrificing something.
✔️ Shift Your Mindset from “Giving Up” to “Breaking Free” – If you think quitting is about deprivation, you’ll struggle. Instead, focus on how smoking controls you and how quitting actually gives you more, not less.
✔️ Track Your Smoking Habits – When do you crave cigarettes the most? Morning coffee? After meals? Social settings? Understanding your triggers helps you break the automatic habit loop.
✔️ Think Long-Term, Not Just About Quitting – Many ex-smokers relapse because they only focus on the initial quit phase. Instead, build a mindset where smoking is no longer an option in your life.
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