Recently, I have started my quit-smoking journey. Previously, I had made efforts using nicotine gum, the nicotine patch, and even Welbutrin, the mood-stabilitzing anti-depressant with anti-addiction properties. I found that to be the worst effort of all, as welbutrin tends to cause the user to lose interest in life in general. Most people experience a "zombie"-like day, walking around almost outside of themselves. Zyban has a list of potential side-effects that stretches a page and a half, so that wasn't a valid option, either.

However, I have found salvation, and its name is Chantix. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals has developed a drug which reduces not only your urge to quit smoking, but actually blocks the receptors in the brain that receive the nicotine, so if you should re-lapse while taking the drug, you can continue to take it, and quit again. The success rate for chronic smokers who have quit with Chantix is over 40%, a staggering number considering the effectiveness of Welbutrin is approximately 6% (compared to 18% with placebo).

Scary thoughts, eh? So if you're considering quitting, I recommend Chantix, you'll be glad you did.