Smoking can produce positive and negative effects for the smoker. The first few cigarettes of the day may produce a kind of a rush and enhance feelings of enjoyment. But the health hazards involved in smoking also produce noticeable side effects. A person can easily become hooked on nicotine's addictive properties. The increased risk of developing serious disorders from smoking also produces emotions that affect smokers and people around them.
Pleasure
The nicotine in tobacco products causes pleasant feelings for the smoker, the American Cancer Society explains. It acts as a depressant by working its effects between nerve cells. The nicotine enters the bloodstream and also reaches the brain to cause this effect. The smoker develops a tolerance to the nicotine and begins smoking more to achieve the same pleasurable effects.
Mood Enhancer
The University of Maryland Medical Center says that nicotine in tobacco can boost moods and produce a sense of well-being, helping to lift feelings of depression. The nicotine may increase activity of the chemical dopamine in the brain to result in positive sensations. Smoking may even enhance concentration and short-term memory because of the effects of nicotine.
Fear
Most smokers understand the long-term effects of smoking, especially when they notice shortness of breath, coughing and other health hazards caused by their habit. They realize it can lead to lung disorders, cancer and heart disease. Smokers might become more worried when they think of the consequences of smoking. In some cases, they might smoke more because of this worry. Worrying might also might lead them to finally quit, however.
Social Rejection
Smokers often feel left out of social events and activities because of the increasing concern about the dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke. Adults are warned about how their smoking influences children or affects the health of children and adults around them. They cannot smoke in certain establishments and homes, making them feel isolated at times.
Withdrawal Effects
One of the reasons it is so hard for a smoker to quit is because of withdrawal symptoms that occur as soon as smoking stops. Anxiety, irritability, impatience and anger may develop because the smoker still has a need for the effects of nicotine. Dizziness, headaches, restlessness, boredom, increased appetite and sleep disturbances may also occur. Many smokers return to smoking and their need for nicotine because of withdrawal symptoms, which may last for 2 to 3 days.
