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What Happens To Your Body In The First 72 Hours After You Quit Smoking?

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Posted By
Pallavi Mehra
Publish Date
Date
March 04, 2025
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Blogs

What Happens To Your Body In The First 72 Hours After You Quit Smoking? (Image Credits: iStock)

Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health, but many smokers believe it’s too late for them to reverse the damage. Others think that smoking just a couple of cigarettes a day doesn’t harm them. Both are myths.
Dr Purabi Koch, Consultant, Non-Invasive Cardiology at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, explains, “There is no safe level of smoking. Even one cigarette a day can negatively impact your heart and lungs. But the good news is that the moment you quit, your body starts healing almost immediately.”

The First Few Hours: Your Heart Starts To Recover

Within just a few hours of quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure begin to normalize. By the 12-hour mark, carbon monoxide levels in your blood drop back to normal, allowing more oxygen to reach your organs.

24 To 72 Hours: Lungs And Skin Show Improvement

The most noticeable changes happen in the first 72 hours.
    Lung Function Improves: As nicotine leaves your body, your bronchial tubes relax, making it easier to breathe. Your lung capacity begins to increase, and tiny hair-like structures called cilia start recovering. These structures help clear mucus and toxins from your lungs, reducing coughing and congestion.
  • Clearer, Healthier Skin: Smoking restricts blood flow to the skin, causing a dull, greyish complexion. Within three days, better circulation leads to a more natural, healthier glow. “With proper hydration, nutrition, and skincare, the skin continues to repair itself over the next few weeks,” Dr Koch adds.

    • The Challenge Of Nicotine Withdrawal

    While your body is healing, your mind might struggle with nicotine withdrawal. Symptoms like irritability, anxiety, trouble concentrating, and increased appetite peak within the first 72 hours.
    “Nicotine cravings are intense in the first few days, but they become easier to manage with time,” Dr Koch explains. “Engaging in physical activity, staying hydrated, and using nicotine replacement therapies like patches or gums can help.” A strong support system, including family, friends, and trained counsellors, can make quitting easier.

    Long-Term Benefits Of Quitting

    Even though the first few days are challenging, the long-term benefits are worth it. After a few weeks, circulation improves, lung function continues to strengthen, and energy levels increase. Over the years, the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer has dropped significantly.

    What Is The Best Time To Quit Smoking?

    There’s no perfect time to quit smoking—except right now. “Every day you go without smoking adds years to your life and improves your overall well-being,” says Dr Koch. “It’s the best gift you can give yourself.”
    If you’re thinking about quitting, seek support from an expert, use nicotine replacement options if needed, and remember that your body starts healing the moment you stop smoking. The first 72 hours might be tough, but the benefits last a lifetime.
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