How to break out of Nzu addiction

My skin and menstrual cycle were affected by nzu, which is eating salted kaolin clay (geophagia). A lot of people reached out to me after reading my article on how nzu affected my skin and menstrual cycle. They asked how I was able to stop nzu addiction because they were also struggling. That’s why I’m sharing this article and urging everyone to read it.

You’ll be surprised at how many people struggle with this habit, and sadly, there’s no awareness to help reduce clay addiction. For those who don’t know, nzu is an edible clay eaten by people from different parts of the world. I used to think nzu was mostly eaten in Nigeria, but it’s not just a Nigerian thing. In Nigeria, it’s known by different names depending on the tribe, like ndom in Efik/Ibibio and eko in Bini/Edo, nzu in Igbo language and it’s also called calabash chalk. Generally, it’s edible clay.

Let’s dive into how to stop nzu addiction. Nzu addiction is common in Africa and other countries. In Nigeria, it’s overlooked because nzu isn’t categorized as a hard drug, and with everything going on, many health issues get ignored.

In this article, we’ll focus on how to break free from nzu addiction. I’ll cover the harm nzu causes to your body in another article. I’m being honest to give you a clear picture of how it starts and how to stop it.

Many young men, women, children, and even pregnant women eat clay. Some research claims clay is good for your health, but I don’t believe it. It’s contradictory to me. I don’t think the study was done right because it didn’t mention how much nzu matters or discuss its addictive nature, side effects, or health risks.

For many Nigerians, nzu addiction is inherited. For me, it started with errands to buy edible clay for my sister and seeing others eat it. For many kids, it’s their pregnant moms eating clay or seeing their family members eat it. A lot of people thought it was okay to eat nzu because they saw others doing it. This addiction also includes people with Pica, an eating disorder that makes them eat things with no nutritional value, like dirt, chalk, hair, paper, etc.

I started eating nzu at a very young age. If I remember correctly, I was about 6 years old. My friend’s mom was addicted to eating clay (nzu) and bought it in large quantities. She’d throw away the pieces she didn’t like in the field in front of her house. Since we were neighbors and I was friends with her daughter, we’d go and collect those pieces to eat. I started going there regularly and grew up eating nzu.

When I entered secondary school and moved into a boarding house, I began asking day students who came from home to help me buy edible clay almost every week. We’d sit down and eat the nzu together during our free time at the hostel. I even made friends just because they brought nzu to school. I started buying it myself too, since my father always gave me pocket money. By the time I finished secondary school, I had a severe craving or second-stage nzu addiction. When I went to university outside Nigeria, the main addictive cravings really kicked in.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Overcoming Nzu Addiction

Keep reading to learn how to stop nzu addiction.

I remember being at the metro station in Ukraine on my way to the university, and everywhere would start to smell of nzu. I’d have intense cravings and start imagining that the walls of the metro were made of nzu. I began asking around and buying from African shops in my city and other cities. I even asked people coming from Nigeria or any part of Africa to bring me salted clay (nzu). I even dreamed of starting my own nzu company and making mixtures to suit different people’s tastes, like strawberry, orange, and other fruit flavors.

I started adding nzu to my food, especially jollof rice. When my food was hot and steamy, I’d place the nzu under the food so the steam would heat the clay and mix its aroma with the jollof. The smell of the clay was so satisfying. I’d eat nzu and then drink very chilled iced water or hot coffee. Even with a limited supply of nzu, I would get really happy whenever someone gave me some and protect it like it was a precious stone. I’m not exaggerating.

I started getting advice from friends about how bad nzu is. Sometimes I’d take their advice, but other times I’d continue eating it. I even lied to them, saying I had stopped while I was still taking it. Eventually, I realized something was wrong because I would just sit and start perceiving the smell of nzu. My brain was recreating that smell, and I’d have an immediate urge to have it. I decided to stop, and here’s how I was able to achieve that.

Stopping completely isn’t always possible or the best approach to quitting addiction entirely.

1. Self-Awareness

Recognizing and acknowledging your nzu addiction is important. You need to identify the problem and be intentional about addressing it. Without taking action and working toward quitting, it’s challenging to overcome the addiction. Remember, clay doesn’t control you—you set the rules for yourself.

2. Gradual Reduction

When I was trying to quit eating clay (nzu), I chewed and patted it out. This allowed me to get a taste without swallowing it. Chew the clay to experience the flavor, but don’t swallow it. Spit it out after tasting. This gradual approach helps reduce consumption.

3. Avoid Triggers

It might sound odd, but there are specific triggers that can increase cravings for nzu. For me, these triggers included the smell of burning firewood, ash, marble walls, new construction sites, burnt firewood, iced water, roasted groundnuts, cement, and chalk. I’ll update this article if I recall other triggers. These elements seemed to link me to nzu. Nzu addiction is particularly challenging because it isn’t classified as a drug and is widely accepted. This lack of recognition and awareness makes overcoming the addiction harder. That’s why I’m sharing this information—to help those who recognize their addiction to nzu take steps to overcome it.

4. Limit Purchases

Avoid buying nzu in large quantities. If you purchase a lot, there’s a high chance you’ll eat it all at once. I often told myself I’d have just one piece, but the presence of more nzu at home led to repeated consumption. Buying smaller amounts helps control intake because once you finish what you have, there’s no more left to eat.

People with nzu addiction will understand that eating or licking nzu provides a unique, milky taste that’s both dry and creamy. It’s funny to think about how detailed this can get, but buying in bulk only leads to more consumption. By reducing the quantity you buy, you’ll naturally eat fewer pieces, helping to lower your daily intake.

5. Set Realistic Targets

Once you’ve cut back on the quantity of nzu you buy, set achievable goals for further reduction. Setting goals applies to all aspects of life. If you consume nzu daily, set a target to gradually decrease your intake.

Below is a practical table to help you reduce your nzu intake on a weekly basis. You might be surprised at how much clay people consume daily, so I’ll start with the highest numbers. If your intake is lower, adjust accordingly and follow the table to gradually cut back.

For instance, if you currently consume 10 pieces of nzu per day, start by reducing your intake to fewer than 10 pieces daily using the table below.

Start	Quantity of Nzu
Day 1	10-20
Day 2	7
Day 3	5
Day 4	3
Day 5	2
Day 6	1
Day 7	0

6. Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself

When following the steps outlined, take it slow. Trying to quit an addiction too quickly can overwhelm your brain, making it difficult to stick with it. Gradually easing off helps your brain and body adjust more smoothly and avoids a strong rebound.

To help you understand this better, let me explain how addiction works and why it’s so tough to break free. And just to let you know, I’m a medical doctor, and addiction doesn’t discriminate—it can affect anyone, regardless of their profession.

How does addiction occur?

In your brain, pleasure has a distinct signature: the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in a region known as the nucleus accumbens, a cluster of nerve cells located beneath the cerebral cortex (see illustration). Neuroscientists refer to the nucleus accumbens as the brain's pleasure center because dopamine release in this area is consistently associated with pleasure. As you continue eating clay (nzu), dopamine is released, enhancing the satisfying feeling you get from consuming it. This intensifies as you take more nzu.

Addictive substances provide a shortcut to the brain’s reward system by flooding the nucleus accumbens with dopamine. The hippocampus then remembers this intense feeling of satisfaction, while the amygdala responds to conditioned stimuli associated with the substance.

Dopamine plays a crucial role in both memory and learning, processes essential for transforming a simple liking into an addiction. It also significantly contributes to the experience of pleasure.

The brain reward centre

7. Knowledge is Power

Understanding the effects of eating clay can help you reduce your intake. I will dedicate a post to discussing the side effects of consuming clay (nzu) and its impact on your entire body. Many people are unaware that nzu (salted kaolin clay) can harm their health. The common perception is that nzu is simply a traditional substance consumed to satisfy cravings. Educating people about the potential harm of eating clay can encourage them to quit or reduce their consumption. Learn about the effects nzu has on human health.

8. Do Not Be Afraid to Fail

Do not be discouraged by setbacks. When trying to overcome nzu addiction, you may experience relapses even after months of abstinence. If this happens, don’t be afraid to restart your journey toward recovery.

In Nigeria, clay is often served at child dedications and other traditional events. Avoid consuming it, and if you have friends who also eat nzu, let them know you are trying to quit. Ask them not to bring it around you. Setting clear boundaries is essential for achieving your goal.

Finally, I urge you to talk to someone about your clay addiction. This issue has led to serious health problems, particularly for women, and it must be addressed. While I understand the temptation to consume nzu during pregnancy, prioritizing your health is crucial. Despite its widespread availability and lack of regulations, don’t be deceived into thinking nzu is safe. It is an unhealthy, addictive substance that can severely damage your health. Like marijuana and other hard drugs, nzu is harmful, though it doesn’t induce a high. Instead, it creates long-term health conditions.

Take care of yourself by eating healthily and avoiding harmful substances. Nzu addiction is real, and raising awareness is essential, as even children can become addicted. Strive for continuous improvement, acknowledging that the journey will have challenges, but keep your goal in mind and make the effort worthwhile.

Consider consulting a health professional at any stage. You might be surprised by the support they can provide in overcoming this addiction.

I am Dr. Godisable Jacob, and I am available to answer any questions you have about clay (nzu) addiction and how to overcome it. Feel free to email me at godisablej66@gmail.com.

I invite you to share your thoughts on clay (nzu) addiction in the comments below. If you have experienced or are currently dealing with this issue, or if you have practical solutions to help others, please let us know.