Nicotine is a psychostimulant that occurs naturally in the tobacco plant. It is the addictive substance in tobacco products like snuff, cigarettes and cigars. Nicotine has been used as a pesticide due to its insect repellent properties. When inhaled in the form of smoke, nicotine enters the bloodstream immediately and begins to cause effects within seven seconds. Understanding the effects and dangers of nicotine can help potential users make informed decisions about their health.
Uses
Nicotine's main use is in tobacco products, where it is ingested for its stimulant effects. Commonly reported effects include feelings of enhanced energy, focus and improved mood.
The tobacco plant produces nicotine as an insect repellent. Nicotine has been used commercially as an insecticide, though its use for this purpose has been restricted due to its tendency to cause birth abnormalities in animals, according to the Pesticide Management Education Program.
Physical Effects
Nicotine acts as a stimulant in the body, causing effects similar to cocaine and other drugs in this class. Constriction of airways and blood vessels as well as increased blood pressure and heart rate are common effects of nicotine. It stimulates the release of epinephrine into the bloodstream, resulting in increased blood sugar levels and feelings of exhilaration.
While the tar in cigarettes has long been implicated in causing lung cancer, nicotine may also play a role. According to the American Cancer Society, nicotine affects epithelial cells in the lungs by increasing their ability to proliferate indefinitely, possibly promoting the spread of cancer.
Neurological Effects
Nicotine has a profound impact on the brain. It stimulates dopamine production, resulting in feelings of increased focus, alertness and energy. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, nicotine may improve performance of attention-related tasks and speed reaction time in new users, though this effect usually fades with time.
Nicotine is an appetite suppressant that may cause weight loss in some users. It also increases metabolism, which can add to its effects on weight. In the brain, nicotine increases levels of acetylcholine---a neurotransmitter responsible for pain perception, alertness and other states of being.
Addiction and Withdrawal
Nicotine carries an extremely high risk of addiction. According to "The New York Times," nicotine is comparable to heroin, cocaine and amphetamines in its addictive potential. The effects of smoked tobacco are felt more rapidly than those of intravenous drugs. The concentration of nicotine in the blood peaks at around the time you finish smoking a cigarette. The effects then decline rapidly, leading many smokers to light up as often as every half hour.
Because it affects several major neurotransmitters in the brain, nicotine withdrawal can cause intensely unpleasant symptoms. Drowsiness, irritability, headache, anxiety and cravings for the drug are among the symptoms that drive ex-tobacco users to start using again.
Prevention/Solution
Abstaining from tobacco use is the only effective way to completely avoid addiction and related health problems. Products exist to help current tobacco users quit taking the drug, including nicotine replacement drugs and prescription medicines, such as varenicline, commonly known as Chantix.
