~ The First 28 Days ~

Today is my Four Week Mark!
According some research I’ve done, below are some of the benefits an ‘average’ recovering smoker should be experiencing by this time. (Assuming the ‘Cold Turkey’ approach was taken.)

~ Within the first 24 hours ~
* Blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature of hands and feet all returning to normal.
* Drastic reduction in remaining nicotine levels in bloodstream.
* Blood oxygen levels increased to normal and carbon monoxide levels will have dropped to normal.

* Anxieties peak and within two weeks should return to near pre-cessation levels.

~ Within the first Three Days ~
* Damage to nerve endings have started to re-grow.
* Sense of smell and taste begin to return to normal.
* Cessation anger and irritability peaks.
* At the end of 72 hours, entire body should be 100% nicotine free.
* Symptoms of chemical withdrawal have peaked in intensity and the number of cue induced crave episodes or ’triggers’ will peak.
* Lung bronchial tubes are beginning to relax breathing is becoming easier and the lungs functional abilities are starting to increase.

~ Within the First Week ~
* The "average" ex-smoker will encounter an "average" of three cue induced crave episodes (or triggers) per day.
* (Although we may not be "average" and although serious cessation time distortion can make minutes feel like hours, it is unlikely that any single episode will last longer than 3 minutes … Just like someone wrote in the comment section of my July 12, 2009 Post; What Would Bogey Do? ).

~ Within 10 days to 2 Weeks ~
* After 10 days the ‘average recovering smoker’ is down to about two ‘crave’ episodes per day.
* Within the Two Week period, recovery should have progressed to the point where the ex-smoker is predominately in control.
* Blood circulation in our gums and teeth are now similar to that of a non-user.

~ Within Three Weeks ~
* Brain receptor binding has returned to levels seen in the brains of non-smokers.
* Heart attack risk has started to drop; lung function beginning to improve.
* Circulation has substantially improved, so should have any chronic cough.

Most of these states are for the ‘Average’ ex-smoker … My experience thus far is I may not be ‘Average’ when it comes to the Anxiety issue -- but there are many variables that can affect that beyond nicotine withdrawal.

If you are not quite yet to your one month mark, you may want to read my July 7th post: Threesome Anyone?