To understand how this technique works, one should first know how nicotine affects the body. Initially, when a person smokes, nicotine enters his bloodstream and his brain. This chemical has an addictive nature that causes a person to smoke a greater number of cigarettes at a more frequent rate. When he tries to cut down on cigarettes or quits completely, his body will experience withdrawal symptoms as a reaction to the absence of nicotine to which his system has become dependent. Examples of these nicotine withdrawal symptoms are headaches, insomnia, restlessness, coughing, and frequent hunger. These discomforts can become persistent and severe, thus forcing a smoker to return to his habit.

Basically, the nicotine replacement process makes it easier for an individual to stop smoking by eliminating the symptoms associated with quitting. This treatment process makes use of products such as patches, gum, inhalers, lozenges, and nasal sprays. Although varying in form, these items have the same goal which is to release a small quantity of nicotine to the body of the user while he is refraining from taking cigarettes. By providing a regulated amount of the said substance, these treatments will enable the user to adapt to the gradual reduction of nicotine from his body. As an effect, the discomforts mentioned above can be eliminated, making the quitting process more manageable.