NAC Supplement Helps Curb Cravings to Smoke

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’d like to have your thoughts on what value the NAC supplement may have in reducing cravings for marijuana or nicotine?

I’m 73 and have been smoking marijuana daily since I was 21. Now I’m quitting for health reasons. I’ve been taking 1,000 mg of NAC every morning, as I’ve read it helps with smoking cravings. It also seems to be used for anxiety and other mental health issues, lung and heart problems ... the list goes on.

I’m not going to smoke anymore, but I’m just wondering what your take is on this, as I’m thinking of sending it to my 38-year-old son who’s been addicted to vaping/ cigarettes since he was a young man. He has ADD, anxiety and problems with breath capacity, and he may have heart problems as well. He’s smoking to relieve his ADD and anxiety. And, of course, he’d like to quit, but it’s so hard to do so.

Can the NAC supplement help me with the urge to smoke? I think it has reduced the cravings, but how would I even know? -- M.M.

ANSWER: N-acetyl cysteine, a precursor to the amino acid cysteine, has several roles in medicine, as you say. When inhaled, it breaks up mucous, which helps people cough out thick sputum. When used intravenously, it’s a specific antidote to acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose. It has been used in these capacaties for years and is safe and well-tolerated.

But, in addition, there is data that shows oral NAC (sold as a dietary supplement) may have a role in helping people overcome addictions to tobacco, with small trials showing a reduction in smoking as well as the relapse rate in people using NAC compared with a placebo.

In people who want to reduce their cannabis use, most of the data on NAC has been on younger people (adolescents and young adults), but also shows some benefit. More stringent trials are ongoing.

It is very difficult for a single person (patient or physician) to tell whether it’s a “real” effect or a “placebo” effect that is causing the reduction in cravings. Only large-scale, placebocontrolled trials can show with confidence whether the treatment is more effective than a placebo. But, since the supplement is inexpensive and highly safe, and since a thirdparty lab found that the brands of NAC sold at reputable stores are what they say they are, I say it might be helpful. However, there are many other products that are proven to be safe and effective to help with quitting smoking, ranging from group tobacco cessation classes, to nicotine replacement therapy, to prescription medications like varenicline and bupropion -- all of which have many years of proven clinical efficacy.

Finally, there are a lot of people with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder who are not getting appropriate treatment as adults. Getting treatment by an expert in ADD might make quitting smoking easier and may also improve many other areas of functioning for your son.

***

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.

© 2023 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

VPG Medical is seeking eligible participants to test an investigational application for Android smart devices.

To participate you must:

• Be 40 years or older

• Have a history of Paroxysmal AFib

• Use a Samsung Android smartphone daily You will be compensated for your time and participation.

For more information and to determine if you qualify, please contact Margot Lutz: (585) 622-4410 • m.lutz@vpgmedical.com

375 White Spruce Blvd., Rochester, NY 14623 (585) 622-4410 • www.VPGMedical.com

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DID YOU KNOW?

TheCelticcrossisasymbolwidely associated with Ireland, but many may not know the unique history and debate surrounding this unique and instantly recognizable symbol.TheCelticcrosscombines a cross with a circle surrounding its intersection, but other than that description, little can be confirmed about the origins of this symbol that some historians believe can be traced back to ancient paganism. Historical revisionist author and researcher Crichton E.M. Miller theorizes that the cross had more practical purposesthanthosesubscribedto it today, serving as a navigational device used by ancient explorers and builders. One popular, though highly unlikely, theory regarding the origins of the Celtic cross is that it was introduced by St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. This theory states that St. Patrick, or possibly St. Declan, combined the cross, which is the foremost symbol of Christianity, with the sun cross, a circular symbol traced to prehistoric cultures, in an attempt to illustrate the importance of the cross to the pagans he was attempting to convert. Though the exact origins of the Celtic cross and its meaning will likely never be known, there is no denying its endurance as a symbol and its ongoing association with Ireland.

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Y0051_8180_M

Shenanigans

Patrick’s Day St.

MARCH 17, 2023

St. Patrick was not an Irishman

He was born Maewyn Succat around 385 A.D., son of a Christian church deacon and wealthy family, in Britain, which was under the rule of the Roman Empire at that time.

Today the world’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration is the annual parade in New York City, where more than two million spectators line the parade route, all claiming to be Irish, at least for the day.

Four-leaf clovers are never shamrocks

The four-leaf clover being lucky has nothing to do with St. Patrick — legend has it that St. Patrick used a green plant with three leaves, commonly called a shamrock, to teach the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity — only a three-leaf clover can be a shamrock.

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Restore Rusty Tools

Many people may be tempted to discard rusty tools that have gone unused and sat in a garage or shed for a significant period of time. But tools encrusted with rust do not need to be relegated to the trash bin, nor do gardeners have to toil for hours scraping and sanding off the rust. There’s a much easier way to restore rusty tools that relies on a common household ingredient: vinegar. Pour vinegar into a deep enough vessel to submerge the metal part of the tool. Soak the tool overnight. The next day, use a scouring pad to rub off the rust. If the tool is too big to fit into a can or bucket, simply wrap it with a vinegarsoaked rag and cover the whole tool with a tightly secured plastic bag. Follow the same procedure the next day. After all the rust is gone, rinse the tool in cool water and dry thoroughly. Then return it to regular usage.

ROOFING, SIDING, GUTTERS

WARDROBE MOVING BOXES. Pick up, Canandaigua city: 585-364-8666

QUEEN SIZE BOX SPRING. Good condition. Pick up, Shortsville: 585-469-7046

SOCKS, fair to good condition, others can be used for crafts: 585-236-0426

LOWREY ORGAN Model M-375, Walnut Finish. You pick up: 585-370-2535

TREADMILL, suitable for walking, not running on. Works. You pick up: lorali58isdone@gmail.com

Older CPAP MACHINE, works well: lorali58isdone@gmail.com

Used ARIEN SNOW BLOWER. Fairly old but still runs: 585-953-0163 (lv. msg)

SLEEPER SOFA, good condition and a SOFA, good condition but has some stains. Bloomfield: 585-747-5521

ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, solid, light oak. Fits 32” TV or could be used for computer monitor. Excellent condition. You pick up: 585-359-1652

WILTON NOVELTY CAKE PAN shaped like running/athletic shoe. Holds one entire cake mix recipe. Four STONEWARE .5L BEER MUGS. Fairport: jvc45@aol.com

SONY CD/DVD PLAYER. Works. Fairport: jvc45@aol.com

Who collects CLOTHING FOR THE NEEDY: motelmaid37@aol.com

STAMPED CROSS STITCH KIT, Serenity Prayer 16” x 20”. All floss and more. Pick up, LeRoy. Text or call: 716-352-1248

WOOD DINING ROOM CABINET w/GLASS DOORS. Good condition. You pick up: 585-213-4023

SUBARU VERTICAL SHAFT ENGINE, did run, needs pull start replaced: 585-737-0491

Clean QUEEN SIZE MATTRESS, 2” thick. Perfect for camper: 585-755-1948

FELLED 4-5’ SECTIONS ASH WOOD; take as much as you want. Easy access; wood on edges of lawn: 585-281-1717

CASTRO CONVERTIBLE COUCH and SLIPCOVER - cushions ripped, but mattress perfect: grleah1@juno.com

FIREWOOD. Large cotton wood tree; felled, trunk and large branches broken down. Easy access. You pick up, Ionia: 585-657-4894

AMPCO PLAYER PIANO and a LOWREY CITATION HOME THEATER ORGAN

You move: 585-323-1762 (leave message)

WURLITZER PIANO - great condition; only one sticky key. Located on the second floor. Text: 585-755-9697

RESMED S8 ELITE II CPAP - Case, Heater/Humidifier, 2 Tanks, Cord, Manual, Hose, but CPAP part probably no good. West Henrietta: cmonroj1@rochester.rr.com

AVANA COMFORT MATTRESS ELEVATOR (king size). Pick up, Webster: 585-872-6756

PATTERNS for an 18” doll: 585-624-5144

SNOWMOBILE wanted running or not. Call or text: 585-733-2026

LARGE POTTERY JARS for indoor gardening: 585-374-5768

Jars of OLD, BROKEN JEWELRY for artwork: 315-694-2247

Clean EGG CARTONS: 716-432-4249

OLD WINDOWS. Must NOT be low-E glass: 814-397-1432

PIANO MUSIC (classical, pop, country): 585-358-6142

20 HP MERCURY OUTBOARD MOTOR for parts. Will pick up. Text: 585-230-9380

SLEEPER SOFA, any size. Please, not if it smells like smoke or cat urine. Will pick up! Thanks! 585-443-9338

VINTAGE FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL or BASEBALL CARDS. Also, VINTAGE ADVERTISING CARDS. Thankful & Grateful! 585-729-1259

VINTAGE ELECTRONICS - Tubes, tube testers, vintage stereo equipment, radios, microphones, motors, speakers, meters, turntables, communication gear, Advertising, Ham, Test Equipment: 585-538-9341

ROSARIES (old and new) to add to my 300+ collection: 585-293-2199

COMICS AND SPORTS/COLLECTIBLE CARDS, any condition, will pick up. I enjoy everything. Thank You! God Bless. Text: 585-260-0437

KEYBOARD in working condition for a 90s Dell computer for a disabled person to work with: 585-346-7022

CLEAN STORAGE BOXES, like copier paper boxes, with lids for moving. Stored indoors. Will pick up: 585-497-2327

HP PRINTER INK CARTRIDGES #60 and #61, new or expired okay. Thank you: 585-519-3325

CRAFT SUPPLIES, YARN, PAINTS, CLAY, FABRICS: Jeank71112@gmail.com

OLD ELECTRONICS, will refurbish and pass on to others in need, or recyclecomputers, stereos, printers, etc.: terrybeckley1@gmail.com

Senior Navy Veteran needs any running VEHICLE that has passed inspection for himself and animal rescue: 585-531-4004

Rock music - 8 TRACK TAPES, CASSETTE TAPES, and VINYL RECORDS for my own personal collection. Thanks in advance: gzintel@yahoo.com

BOX TRAILER: 585-323-1762 (leave message)

COOPERSTOWN DREAMS PARK TRADING PINS and carrying case for granddaughter who will be in this summer’s tournament: 585-334-6134

AIR COMPRESSOR - 10+ gallons: mhoskins@pvac.org

INVERSION TABLE, for senior with bad back: stujaxon@yahoo.com

TRAILER WHEEL & TIRE, ST175-80D13 13” wheel, 5 lugs: 585-993-1917

BUILT/UNBUILT MODELS OR KITS. Parts and pieces ok. Longtime collector seeks projects/restorations/customs. Auto, Truck, Plane, Military, etc. Call 585-314-6989

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Submissions published as space allows. We reserve the right to decline/edit/omit info. We assume no responsibility for submissions. Submissions must include phone # or email. Noncommercial use only. 20 word limit. Please call to remove listing once item is taken/received.

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A shout out to our local first responders

We were suddenly plunged into darkness last night when a car struck a utility pole at the north end of Bronson Hill Rd. in Avon. The first police officer arrived on the scene in what couldn’t have been more than 3 minutes. I counted four police cars and I don’t think ten minutes had gone by. The ambulance arrived shortly thereafter. The power company was there in less than 30 minutes and power was restored within an hour and a half. I hope all is well with the accident victims. I was amazed at how quickly the first responders were on the scene. Thanks to all involved. You really start to appreciate it when you’re sitting in the dark with no heat or electricity on a cold 30 degree night!

Thanks for helping our cat

Years ago, Anna, my daughter, went fishing. She heard loud meowing nearby. Anna found a small, gray kitten with funny, spiky hair. Anna brought the kitten home. Stryker got her name because she likes to stick out a paw and playfully strike people as they walk by. She has the heaviest, thickest fur coat I have ever seen. We are not sure if she is part Maine Coon, but she has a fur ruff around her neck, a bushy tail and thick fur like a bear. When Stryker went outside she would come back with ticks hidden in her thick fur. I tried to groom her myself but ended up taking her to the vet after I accidentally cut her. Beth at Lab’s Landing in Darien Center has been a lifesaver. We even discovered Stryker has gray stripes under all her baggy fur. Thanks Beth for making life so much easier.

To the wonderful people who helped me!

I want to say thank you to the three people who stopped on Route 63 yesterday to help me when I flipped my car over the guardrail in the snow storm. You stopped and helped me get out of my car and waited with me til 911 arrived. I really and truly appreciate your kind hearts to wait in the blistering cold with me. I am home and doing ok thanks to all of you and everyone who helped me. So thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Hometown Photos

Embarrassing parents

At a recent hockey game with 10yr. old players I was shocked by some parents’ behavior. First, the kids can’t hear you screaming constantly: helmets, hats, it’s noisy on the ice. Second, you are not the only parent who paid for gear, got up early on weekends and brought kids here, then help them get dressed. Third, your entire family should be embarrassed as you taught those kids to scream and complain if things don’t go your way. I did not go there to listen to you up in the top row screaming your opinion about refs, coaches and calling kids by name, telling them you know best! You are rude, sir.

Technically Handicapped

Not really a Rant, but there is a lot of computer help out there. Libraries offer free computer use and probably instruction. Also used and rebuilt are really cheap these days. I’m no wizz but over 70 and I get by with the tech stuff.

Technology Choice

This is in response to Technically Handicapped. I have an old-fashioned cell phone for use when I leave the house. I CHOOSE not to have a smart phone! I do have a computer, know how to use it, and think it belongs at home. I agree that there’s far too many businesses and medical