Nicotine is made from several types of plants and contains nitrogen, including the tobacco plant. Its synthetical production is also present on a large scale.

While not excessively harmful or cancer-causing on its own, nicotine is seriously addictive and puts people to the extremely disastrous effects of tobacco dependency.

Fast facts on nicotine

• Snorting or chewing tobacco items usually releases more amount nicotine into the human body than smoking.
• It is nearly as hard to give up as heroin.
• The dangerous effects of nicotine can affect the gastrointestinal system, heart, and hormones.
• Some studies propose that nicotine may increase concentration and memory.
• In the world, there are more than a billion tobacco users/smokers.

Effects of Nicotine on Body

Pharmacologic effects

When mammals, humans, and most other animals are exposed to nicotine, it raises their heart rate, heart stroke volume, and heart muscle oxygen consumption rate. These are its  pharmacologic effects.

Psychodynamic effects

Consuming nicotine is also associated with euphoria, raised alertness, and a sense of being relaxed.

Concentration and memory

Studies have proposed that nicotine seems to strengthen memory and concentration. It is assumed that this is due to a surge in acetylcholine and norepinephrine release. Norepinephrine also increases the sense of arousal or wakefulness.

Reduced anxiety

It causes an increased level of beta-endorphin, which reduces anxiety.

Why Nicotine is highly addictive?

People, who frequently consume this drug and then suddenly stop, experience several withdrawal symptoms, which include:

• cravings
• irritability
• anxiety
• depression
• a sense of emptiness
• moodiness
• difficulty paying attention or focusing

The American Heart Association said that the use of this drug from smoking tobacco is one of the toughest things to quit. It is thought to be at least as tough as quitting heroin.

A study showed that decreasing its amount in cigs also lessens the level of addictiveness.

A study approved by the National Institute on Drug Abuse concluded that the use of nicotine increases the addiction to cocaine.

Other Side effects

Its use results in a wide range of dangerous effects in most organs and organ systems.

It can affect blood circulations in the following ways:

• an increased clotting affinity, leading to a possibility of injurious blood clots
• atherosclerosis, a condition that causes plaque formation on the artery wall
• aorta enlargement

Effects on the brain include:

• disturbed and irregular sleep
• lightheadedness and dizziness
• nightmares and bad dreams
• possible blood restraints

Nicotine has the following effects in the digestive system:

• vomiting and nausea
• xerostomia or dry mouth
• peptic ulcers
• indigestion
• heartburn
• diarrhea

After using nicotine following heart problems can be faced:

• an increase in blood pressure
• alterations in heart rate and rhythm
• diseases and constrictions of the coronary artery
• an increase in the risk of stroke

If a woman smokes during pregnancy, the following factors are likely to the growth of the child:

• obesity
• type 2 diabetes
• high blood pressure
• respiratory difficulties
• infertility
• behavioral issues
• problems with brain development

Other side effects include:

• pneumonia
• spasms in the lungs
• pain and tremors in the muscles
• joint pain
• increase intensities of insulin and insulin resistance, increasing the risk of diabetes

 

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