What have you heard about nicotine and its effects? Were you unsure of what to believe when you heard or read about nicotine? Well in this post, all your uncertainties about nicotine will be addressed. Read through to know about nicotine.
What is Nicotine?
Nicotine is an addictive chemical compound found in tobacco plants. Nicotine use can cause serious health problems including increased blood pressure and hardening of arterial walls, causing heart attacks. Products with tobacco such as cigarettes, cigars, most e-cigarettes, and hookah tobacco contain nicotine. Nicotine products are regulated by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Although nicotine is legal, it is illegal to sell or distribute nicotine-containing products to people under 21.
MECHANISM OF ACTION
After the intake of Nicotine, it acts in 3 major mechanisms, producing physiological and pathological effects on a variety of organ systems.
- Ganglionic transmission.
- Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on chromaffin cells via catecholamines.
- Central nervous system (CNS) stimulation of nAChRs.
Brain imaging studies demonstrate that nicotine acutely increases activity in the prefrontal cortex and visual systems. There is the release of a variety of neurotransmitters important in drug-induced reward. Nicotine also causes increased oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis, DNA damage, reactive oxygen species, and lipid peroxide increase. nAChRs were originally thought to be limited to neuronal cells, however, studies have identified functional nAChRs in tissues outside the nervous system.
What Does Nicotine Do?
When a person is exposed to nicotine, the person experiences a “kick.” This is partly caused by nicotine stimulating the adrenal glands, which results in the release of adrenaline. The nicotine in the smoke is rapidly absorbed into the blood and starts affecting the brain within 10 seconds. Once there, nicotine triggers a number of chemical reactiothat create temporary feelings of pleasure and concentration. But these sensatioare short-lived, subsiding within minutes.
These chemical reactioinclude the release of catecholamines such as adrenaline, and the “fight or flight” hormone. Physically, adrenaline increases heart rate and blood pressure. When this occurs, the person may experience rapid, shallow breathing and the feeling of a racing heartbeat. Adrenaline also tells the body to dump excess glucose into the bloodstream.
Nicotine also curbs appetite and may contribute to weight loss in complex ways. When nicotine has been taken, there is a reduced coronary blood flow but an increased skeletal muscle blood flow. The increased rate of respiration causes hypothermia, a hypercoagulable state, decreases skin temperature, and increases blood viscosity.
Also, intake of nicotine causes the release of dopamine in the pleasure and motivation areas of the brain. A similar effect occurs when people take heroin or cocaine. The drug user experiences a pleasurable sensation.
In women, nicotine could also have effects on the ovaries and it alters the production of oocytes. Nicotine-treated oocytes appeared nonspherical with a rough surface and torn and irregular zona-pellucida. Nicotine also caused disturbed oocyte maturation.
Dopamine is a brain chemical that affects emotions, movements, and sensatioof pleasure and pain. If your brain’s dopamine levels rise, the feeling of contentment is higher.
Depending on the dose of nicotine taken and the individual’s nervous system arousal, nicotine can also act as a sedative.
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Pharmacologic effects
When humans, mammals, and most other types of animals are exposed to nicotine, it increases their heart rate, heart muscle oxygen consumption rate, and heart stroke volume. These are known as pharmacologic effects.
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Psychodynamic effects
Consuming nicotine is also linked to raised alertness, euphoria, and a sensation of being relaxed.
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Concentration and memory
Studies have shown that nicotine appears to improve memory and concentration. It is thought that this is due to an increase in acetylcholine and norepinephrine. Norepinephrine also increases the sensation of wakefulness or arousal.
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Reduced anxiety
Nicotine results in increased levels of beta-endorphin, which reduces anxiety.
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Nicotine is highly addictive.
People who regularly consume nicotine and then suddenly stop experience withdrawal symptoms, which may include:
- cravings
- a sense of emptiness
- anxiety
- depression
- moodiness
- irritability
- difficulty focusing or paying attention
The American Heart Association says that nicotine consumed from smoking tobacco is one of the hardest substances to quit. It is considered to be at least as hard as quitting heroin.
Other common Side Effects include:
Nicotine causes a range of effects on both the body and mind, including:
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Heightened mood
- Improved memory and alertness
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Increased production of saliva and phlegm
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Sigof Use
If your loved one is smoking cigarettes, you’ll likely be able to smell it on them. Detecting vaping can be a bit more difficult, but there are still some sigof use:
- Devices: E-cigarettes or “vape pens” can look like a thumb drive, pen, or stylus with holes on each end.
- Drinking more liquids: The vaporized liquid in e-cigs contaipropylene glycol, which attracts and holds water molecules from the mouth, causing constant dry mouth.
- Irritability: This is a classic sign of nicotine withdrawal.
- Nosebleeds: Vaping can dry out the nasal passages and cause nose bleeds.
- Sweet smells: Vapor juice is often flavored, so if you suddenly catch a whiff of fruit punch or bubble gum and there’s no candy around, it could be a red flag.
Tolerance, Dependence, and Withdrawal
Nicotine is extremely addictive, and when used regularly, your body and mind learn to expect a certain amount of nicotine each day, and if it doesn’t get it, withdrawal symptoms can be intense. You can quickly build a tolerance to nicotine, needing more to reach the desired effect. This is one reason why it’s so hard (but not impossible) to quit smoking.
How Long Does Nicotine Stay in Your System?
Nicotine (in the form of a cigarette, pipe, or e-cigarette smoke) is mostly absorbed into the body through the lungs as well as the membranes in the mouth and throat. It can also be absorbed in your gastrointestinal tract (via chewing tobacco, nicotine gum, and lozenges) or your skin if you use a nicotine patch.
Nicotine is mainly metabolized in the liver and is excreted via urine through the kidneys as well as in feces. How long it stays in your system depends on many factors, including your age and weight; the type of nicotine product; frequency of use; and your hydration and physical activity levels.
That said, the following are estimates for how long nicotine is detectable in your system:
- Saliva test: One to four days
- Blood test: Two to four days
- Urine test: Two to four days
- Hair follicle test: Up to 90 days
Many routine drug tests screen for nicotine.
Dealing with Addiction
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that’s found in all tobacco products, including cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, hookahs, e-cigarettes, and other vaping devices.
Nicotine activates the same reward pathways in the brain that other drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines do, although to a lesser degree. Research has shown that nicotine increases the level of dopamine in the brain, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for feelings of pleasure and well-being.
Treatment for Addiction and Withdrawal
Overcoming nicotine addiction is hard, but it is very possible. To set yourself up for success, try to prepare yourself to stop using nicotine by choosing a quit day. Mark your quit day on your calendar, and from that point on, do your best to discontinue the use of any nicotine product (other than a nicotine replacement therapy product, if you’re using one as a quit aid).
Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for people who are looking to quit using nicotine. During a CBT session, a therapist will help you understand your triggers for using nicotine products and teach you healthy coping mechanisms to turn to instead.
Motivational interviewing is another therapeutic technique during which a counselor will help you become more motivated or inspired to pursue your goal of quitting smoking. They will help you answer important questions, such as: What is getting in your way of quitting? How can you align your values with your actions?
In a mindfulness session, a counselor teaches you how to detach yourself from your cravings for nicotine. Mindfulness practices can help you learn to tolerate your cravings and triggers to smoke instead of giving in to them.
Medications
A doctor may recommend a prescription medication to quit smoking such as Chantix (varenicline) or Zyban (bupropion).
Chantix works by reducing the feeling of pleasure a person gets when they use nicotine. Both Chantix and Zyban can also help relieve the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Zyban can also help reduce nicotine cravings.
There are potential side effects of Chantix and Zyban including headache, nausea, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and seizures.
A doctor might also recommend nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) separately or in addition to another quit smoking medication. NRT administers small amounts of nicotine without the other toxiin cigarettes and other nicotine products. It can help reduce cravings during nicotine cessation and lessen nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nicotine is the most silent killer of all. Tobacco claims more lives in one year than HIV, car accidents, and gun-related deaths combined. So if you are a smoker, you should think long and hard before lighting a cigarette,