Nicotine is an ingredient that is found in every tobacco product as well as some liquids for e-cigarettes. It’s an extremely toxic substance in the plant tobacco. The labs can also make nicotine in a synthetic way.
This article focuses on the history and consequences of nicotine, the potential negative health effects, as well as the treatment options available for those suffering from nicotine dependence.
The history of nicotine
Nicotine is a part of the Nicotiana species. These include tobacco plants and are members of the nightshade family. Tobacco plants were first discovered in South America before spreading to North America, Africa, and Australia.
Indigenous people of these regions initially used tobacco plant leaves for smoking, chewing, and use for ceremonies of worship. European colonists also exported tobacco products to earn money and eventually changed the purpose of smoking tobacco to recreational purposes.
The industry of tobacco is a significant part of the history of utilizing racial profiling the demographics of a region as well as cultural aspects for targeting specific communities to encourage the use of tobacco.
The tobacco industry has also promoted menthol-based products in Black individuals and communities with lower incomes. Tobacco firms add menthol to cigarettes in order to enhance their taste.
Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, among those who smoke cigarettes, people of non-Hispanic African descent and African American people are more likely to use menthol cigarettes as compared with other ethnic groups or races.
Menthol could increase the harmful effects nicotine is able to have on the brain. Smokers of cigarettes with menthol tend to be more likely to keep making use of tobacco products. This raises the chance of becoming ill due to the use of tobacco.
Nicotine’s effects
Nicotine causes Trusted sources an immediate feeling of calm and peace as well as increases heart rate and also the amount of oxygen used by the heart. Once nicotine is absorbed into your body, it creates the release of endorphins chemical compounds that aid in alleviating pain and stress and enhance mood.
The body gets nicotine in the bloodstream, allowing it to reach the brain. Nicotine levels rise rapidly after being absorbed into the body, and those feelings of satisfaction last only a short time. It can lead to a vicious cycle of smokers continuing to smoke for the same pleasurable feelings.
Nicotine can also increase levels of dopamine. It is a neurotransmitter, that forms an integral part of the reward system in the brain and produces sensations of reward and pleasure. Dopamine releases reinforce an individual’s decision to take Nicotine.
The habit of smoking nicotine regularly causes shifts in how your brain functions regarding self-control anxiety, and learning. In the long run, these changes could lead to withdrawal symptoms and dependence in those who are non-smokers.
The negative side effects of nicotine
Nicotine may affect different systems of the body. This can result in:
headaches
higher likelihood of the blood clotting
higher blood pressure
variations in heart rhythms and heart rate
breathing shortness
Peptic ulcer
etc.
The heart rate that is racing could indicate the nicotine dose is excessive, and patients are able to talk to a medical expert about decreasing the dose.
The negative side effects of gum that contain nicotine can be:
Bad taste in your mouth
irritations of the throat
mouth sores
Hiccups
nausea
jaw discomfort
racing heartbeat
Smoking
Nicotine is addictive, and it’s the principal psychoactive ingredient that is found in tobacco. That is why it affects the way that your brain functions. Based on NIDA National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) The majority of those smokers regularly smoke tobacco because of nicotine dependence.
Smoking is by far the most popular Cause of Death that is preventable within the United States. Smoking is a cause of damage to virtually all organs in your body and can increase the risk of developing serious health conditions which include stroke, heart disease, as well as lung cancer.
Nicotine doesn’t cause cancer. However, smoking tobacco contains at most the 69 carcinogenic substances which means they cause cancer. substances.
Nicotine dependence treatment
According to NIDA an NIDA survey in 2020 revealed that about 23.6 million individuals over the age of 12 had an addiction to nicotine in the last 30 days. Treatment for nicotine dependency may include:
Therapy for nicotine replacement
NRT is a form of nicotine replacement therapy. (NRT) offers people little nicotine which attaches to certain of the nicotine receptors in your body to decrease cravings for nicotine.
NRT may include nicotine patches, sprays, lozenges, or gum. FDA-approved NRTs are the safest Source of nicotine-based products.
Medications
Certain medicines may help in the treatment of nicotine dependence.
Bupropion is a medicine that alters brain-related chemicals. It is just as powerful as NRT when it comes to aiding people to quit smoking.
Varenicline is a drug that triggers a certain nicotine receptor, but less than nicotine. It could be more efficient than bupropion to help people stop smoking.
Summary
Nicotine is an extremely toxic substance in cigarettes that could be one of the reasons for people smoke cigarettes. The substance can trigger side symptoms like nausea or a rapid heartbeat. It can also cause headaches.
It’s also a poisonous substance, which can lead to poisoning. If someone suspects nicotine poisoning, they’ll require medical assistance immediately.
Nicotine can also lead users to consume tobacco products like cigarettes, more frequently which can result in serious medical issues.
The use of nicotine replacement therapy, medicines, and behavioral therapies may help patients get off of products containing nicotine.