Nicotine--a compound found in tobacco--is among the most commonly used drugs in America. Approximately one in five Americans over the age of 19 identify as cigarette smokers, according to a 2009 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When you smoke or chew tobacco, your body absorbs and reacts to nicotine, leading to a number of physiological effects. In addition to the dangers of smoking--such as lung cancer--exposure to any form of nicotine can have a number of harmful effects on your body.
Effects on Cardiovascular System
Nicotine increases your heart rate as well as your blood pressure. In addition, nicotine can interfere with blood flow to your heart muscle. Over time, this increased blood pressure and decreased blood supply to the heart can increase your risk of developing potentially fatal cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure or stroke.
Addiction
Nicotine also has an effect on your brain, leading to addiction. Once it enters your brain, nicotine mimics the function of naturally-occurring brain chemicals, and causes increased stimulation to regions of your brain involved in sensations of pleasure. While this may lead to a temporary "high" after smoking, it can also lead to nicotine addiction. Once an individual has developed an addiction to nicotine, they often experience great difficulty trying to quit, which may negatively effect their mood and emotional well-being.
Effects on your Muscles
In some cases, nicotine can have negative effects on your muscles. The simultaneous use of nicotine patches and gum, as well as cigarettes, may lead to a nicotine overdose that has profound effects on your muscular functioning.
Upon exposure to high levels of nicotine, the drug begins to interact with your muscle cells, leading to abnormal twitching or paralysis, according to the University of Utah. This paralysis can prove devastating, since your body relies on the movement of your diaphragm--a muscle within your torso--for inhalation and exhalation. As a result, paralysis of the diaphragm can affect your ability to breathe, and can lead to death.
Other Neurological Effects
Exposure to high levels of nicotine may also lead to a loss of proper brain function. A nicotine overdose may overstimulate some regions of your brain, leading to a loss of control over brain communication, causing seizures. In addition, this loss of brain functioning may cause confusion or disorientation, or even lead to a coma. If you currently smoke or use nicotine patches or gum, consult your physician for a proper dosage to help avoid nicotine overdose or to help you quit.
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