Let’s face it—the big tobacco companies aren’t our friends. They keep us hooked through social pressures, routine, and nicotine.

In fact, these titan industries have left little room for competitors through legislative strongarming, all in an attempt to keep people addicted. That changed with the 2018 Farm Bill, which allowed the legal propagation and sale of hemp and its diverse products.

That brought entrepreneurs to develop products that could stand up against big tobacco, giving rise to the option of hemp cigarettes as an alternative to the toxin-laden tobacco ones which have dominated the market.

Breaking Nicotine Dependence

Nicotine is what keeps us coming back for more, making us addicted and setting up the endless cycle of reaching for a new smoke at every chance we can get. Then, our brains become wired to get a sense of calm and soothing effect when we light up because we are feeding the addiction.

Hemp cigarettes do not have nicotine. Instead, they contain small amounts of CBD—a compound that simulates a sense of calm and wellbeing. Don’t worry about drug tests or getting high, as they contain virtually no THC. Of course, always make sure to check with your physician if you have any concerns.

Mental Simulation of the Act of Smoking

Cigarettes can also be a matter of routine. Tying into the addictive influences in our lives, smoking can become an act of routine.

We’ll reward ourselves with a smoke break at work, after completing a task, or dealing with a stressful situation—or after having a good time. We find ourselves making excuses to light one up at any chance we can get. We can combat that by lessening the hold that nicotine has on us by slowly tapering out tobacco cigarettes with the hemp alternative. This helps us trick the part of our brain that so heavily associates the act of smoking with the rush of nicotine.

Instead, we get a more soothing influence from the CBD. If you’ve attempted to quit smoking and found yourself feeling empty-handed and missing the feeling of smoking—and vapes aren’t cutting it—replacing more and more smoking sessions with hemp cigarettes would be a perfect chance to keep your routine.

They Can Allow You to Smoke Socially

Smoking has also been a social act for over eight thousand years and has been associated with spiritual practice, cultural exchange, and celebrations. Ultimately, not much has changed as far as its use—but modern cigarettes with their broad array of additives from chemical bronchodilators to sugars and synthetic flavors are a far cry from anything our ancestors would have touched.

However, opting for more environmentally friendly and health-conscious hemp cigarettes means that we can embrace the pleasure of smoking while out with friends without needing to indulge in the more addictive tobacco cigarettes. As an added benefit, hemp cigarettes have been shown to not leave lingering smells on one’s clothes and hands, and produce a more mild smelling smoke.

Bringing them out during events could even serve as an opportunity to spread awareness to others in social circles who share an interest in quitting smoking.

Knowing What Works Best For You

Switching to Hemp Cigarettes as a means to quit smoking is by no means a magic cure. You will still need to start the journey and understand that they are a powerful tool in your arsenal as you reclaim your life from the multi-billion dollar tobacco corporations.

Certain aspects of the withdrawal may prove to be a challenge for some, and sometimes we may rely on multiple tools in order to break those bonds. The most important thing, however, is that we take those first steps because these kinds of positive changes don’t happen on their own.

Many people have done it before, and so can you once you take the next step.