Quitting smoking and extreme anxiety

In my 15 years helping clients quit smoking, I have occasionally seen a confusing response. It happened to some people who don’t normally suffer from anxiety.

In these cases, their anxiety was overwhelming, making them feel so bad that they could not work or barely carry on a conversation. When I looked into this problem, I found what is known as a glutamate storm.

The extreme form is common in head injuries and strokes, but a minor storm can be seen in some people when nicotine is suddenly withdrawn from their brain.

It is a response similar to what is described as an allergy to MSG, the salt that has traditionally been used to enhance flavor in Chinese food and is commonly used in salty processed foods.

Glutamine flows from brain cells and displaces GABA (gamma amino butyric acid), an amino acid associated with feelings of calm. Also, calcium enters the same cells.

In all our cells there is a delicate balance between calcium and magnesium. In our muscles, calcium causes contraction and magnesium causes relaxation.

We are never short of calcium, because our bones will release calcium to maintain proper blood balance. But a high percentage of people are low in magnesium. This is because in this modern age of chronic stress we have a high requirement.

Then, glutamate leaves the brain cells and calcium enters these same cells, which generates strong anxiety. That is the short version of a complex biochemical process.

If this is a mild response, then that can be easily managed with breathing and relaxation techniques, but if the glutamate storm occurs, the quick fix is ​​to replace the nicotine from smoking with nicotine gum or patches.

This will reduce anxiety, then you can take GABA as a supplement and magnesium. This will ensure that balance returns to the brain.

The next step is to write the nicotine replacement for a week or two. Most people who stop using a method, which accesses the subconscious, will leave it easily and quickly.

But if you run into a glutamate storm, the hypnotic session will handle the habit, but you may need to supplement the storm.

At the end of the day, when you decide to quit smoking, you need commitment and a helpful mental emotional process. But you may also need more knowledge and specific supplements to handle any difficulties you may encounter.