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According a recent publication in Science magazine, researchers have made an amazing discovery that gives hope to people who find it difficult to give up smoking. It's all in the brain it seems. This may not be a surprise to most people, but the good news is that scientists have pinpointed an exact section of the brain that they think might control the addiction to smoking.

The study was based on an observation that stroke victims, who have suffered damage to an area of the brain called the insula, were able to quit smoking instantly and easily. In addition to this, the craving to smoke no longer existed; it was as if these people had never smoked a cigarette before.

Experts believe that the insula (or insular cortex) processes conscious desires, including cravings for alcohol and food, as well as nicotine. Studies also show that this part of the brain influences people's emotions, in this particular case disgust at the concept of smoking after the insula has suffered damage.

Although the research is still in its early stages, it is likely that further investigations will take place, with a view to developing a new solution to nicotine and drug addiction. Based on the notion that the normal behaviour of the insula could be manipulated, it is possible that neurological scientists will now consider developing new medications to help smokers who are desperate to give up.

Of course, this potential miracle remedy could be a long way off yet, and people with a smoking addiction - or drug or alcohol dependence - should not hold out in the vague hope that an instant answer will be provided any time soon. It is, however, a good sign that help is at hand sometime in the future.

Until then, there is plenty of good advice and a whole host of resources available to help smokers who want to give up. Among them are excellent counselling services, smoking cessation programs, nicotine replacement products, hypnotherapy or acupuncture, and self-help guides. It doesn't have to cost a lot, if anything at all.

Don't forget though, the biggest and best resource of them all is yourself; good old-fashioned willpower, the desire to live longer and stay healthier, as well as the rising cost of tobacco products all come into account. Don't leave it too late, think about stubbing out that last cigarette now and set yourself free from the chains of smoking addiction.