I quit smoking, and I'm a vegetable, will I eventually start functioning again?

[Terracotta]

I started smoking when I was around 15, my biggest anxiety-inducing effect of quitting has been the vegetative state I'm in. I have no clarity. Having a constant nicotine flow from a developmental age, makes me worried that my brain will never be able to readjust to nicotine levels in normal function?

If it eventually will, how long may it take?

[Oriah]

Depends how long you smoked for.  It could last a long time

[Heather]

I started smoking when I was around 15, my biggest anxiety-inducing effect of quitting has been the vegetative state I'm in. I have no clarity. Having a constant nicotine flow from a developmental age, makes me worried that my brain will never be able to readjust to nicotine levels in normal function?

If it eventually will, how long may it take?

I wouldn't worry about your brain not readjusting the mind is a powerful thing your just suffering from withdraw it will pass. Congrats on quitting btw I know it's hard now but your future self won't regret it one bit.

[Tossu-sama]

I didn't have this withdrawal when I quit smoking but I had this awful inability to focus on anything. It felt like my thoughts were just melting and dripping away the moment I tried to concentrate on them... It was crazy but it passed after couple weeks. I think all the withdrawals will go away eventually.

[Lyric]

You'll probably have a rough year or so, but he good news is it will gradually get better and the is nothing better you can do for your health than stopping smoking. Years of smoking has caused your brain to require a certain amount of chemical assistance in order for your brain's dopamine levels to allow you feel normal. It will take time for your brain to adjust, but eventually you will be able to feel as good as ever without nicotine. I wish you the best of with this. Good luck.

[musicofthenight]

The older, "non-selective," antidepressants may help with sluggish dopamine - bupropion/Zyban/Wellbutrin/etc. in particular.  You'll be temporarily (2-3 months) trading one addiction for another, but Zyban is a lot better for your health than cigs, obviously.

[Ashey]

I started smoking when I was 13 or 14 and quit when I was 21. I have to say, the quitting part was easy. But after that I began pulling out my hair a lot. I would just sit at my computer desk and absent-mindedly begin twirling the hair around the back and top of my head and I'd end up pulling some hairs out and I'd roll them into hairballs which ended up littering the floor beneath me. Pretty gross and awful. But that only lasted about a year or so. However, I think it was just replaced by a strong 'germ awareness' because of a medical condition my dad developed. My mom and I weren't sure if he was contagious at first, and he had oozing sores, so we cleaned everything a lot and I was mindful of what I had touched. That awareness still hasn't gone away unfortunately, but it's gotten a lot better. And at least most of my hair has regrown! It's now not embarrassingly thin on top and only a bit thinner than the rest. Anyway, it was a bit rough for a while but now I very very rarely have a craving and I can't really stand the smell of cigs anymore, and I'm over most of the withdrawal crap. So it will get better!

[Ms Grace]

The brain is a very elastic and pliable blob of jelly, they used to think it was in a fixed state once we reach adulthood but have since discovered that with the right training it can form new connections and whatnot very quickly. In large part you will be feeling the nicotine withdrawal, having something you can practice focusing on is a good way to take your mind off it and start building those new neurones. Congrats on giving up!

[Jill F]

I cold turkeyed it 2 years ago after smoking for 25 years.  I wanted to kill everything and everybody in sight for about 2 weeks, then it got better.  Drinking triggered my nic fits, so I had to stop that completely as well.  The drinking eventually came back, but the smoking thankfully did not.

When you want a smoke, maybe try going for a walk instead and clear your head.

[Ashey]

The brain is a very elastic and pliable blob of jelly, they used to think it was in a fixed state once we reach adulthood but have since discovered that with the right training it can form new connections and whatnot very quickly.

xD I would say HRT is a good example of just that!

[FrancisAnn]

I have smoked some in my life. Long ago at a bar dressed nice it was kinda sexy I thought to suck on a little cigarete. Men would light your cigarete.  Then before long I became addicted I guess.

It's hard to stop so I understand. My suggestion is when you get the urge, go do something else, take a shower or bath, go walking some, do the dishes, paint your nails or change nail poilsh. Call a friend & talk some.

Just try & break the habit if you can. We all know it's terrible to pull smoke into our lungs, it stains your teeth, it stinks & it is expensive.

Good luck, you can do it.