Tobacco and marijuana are often smoked in order to release their main drug: nicotine and tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC), respectively. Nicotine is a very addictive drug which is complemented by an oral fixation (one of those psychological terms for someone who at a early age was given something like a sucker to pacify them, and now has this “thing” f putting things in their mouth). Nicotine causes dizziness and nausea (hard core smokers have become dulled to its effects). THC is not as physically addictive but can definitely become a lifestyle. Its effects include altered perception and a “high” feeling; and, if habitua dull the user’s perceptions and decision making.

If you are having trouble with quitting smoking, then remember the two byproducts: tar and carbon monoxide. The first byproduct, tar, is this gooey burnt sludge that most filter cigarettes and water pipes try to cut down on. “Light” cigarettes boast smaller tar content, but they use chemicals, is that better? Tar coats the lungs and covers up the fine air pockets of the lungs (a biological system that increases surface area in order to get more oxygen into the blood). The second, carbon monoxide, is a chemical that bonds to red blood cells—our oxygen carrying cells—and is'n’t released until the cell that it’s attached to di

So don’t risk the effects of either drug, don’t cover your lung tiss with tar that will reduce its oxygen exchange purpose, and don’t allo carbon monoxide to disable the cells in your blood that carry oxygen.

With all that said, I am still struggling with a smoke addiction (perhaps things would be different if I never started). No, it's not out of control, but I have the cravings, and I occassionally indulge. The only way I'm ever going to be totally free now, is to be in heaven. Until then, with God's help, I must be diligent in the fight (and be smart enough to avoid exposure: why have a pack of cigarettes lying around for "emergencies"?).