With each puff of a cigarette, a smoker pulls nicotine and other harmful substances into the lungs, where it is absorbed into the blood.
It takes just 8 seconds for nicotine to hit the brain. Nicotine happens to be shaped like the natural brain chemical acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is one of many chemicals called neurotransmitters that carry messages between brain cells. Neurons (brain cells) have specialized proteins called receptors, into which specific neurotransmitters can fit, like a key fitting into a lock. Nicotine locks into acetylcholine receptors, rapidly causing changes in the brain and body. For instance, nicotine increases blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration (breathing).
Nicotine also attaches to cholinergic receptors on neurons that release a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine is released normally when you experience something pleasurable like good food, surfing, or the company of people you love. But smoking cigarettes causes neurons to release excess dopamine, which is responsible for the feelings of pleasure experienced by the smoker. However, this effect wears off rapidly, causing smokers to get the urge to light up again for another dose of the drug.
Nicotine may be the primary addictive component in tobacco but it’s not the only ingredient that is biologically important. Using advanced neuroimaging technology, scientists have found that smokers have a significant reduction in the levels of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the brain and throughout the body. This enzyme is responsible for the breakdown of dopamine, other neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation, and in a variety of bodily functions. Having lower amounts of MAO in the brain may lead to higher dopamine levels and be another reason that smokers continue to smoke—to sustain the pleasurable feelings that high dopamine levels create.
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Nicotine addiction is often compared to heroin addiction because of its strength.
We must get rid of this nasty and dangerous habit by way of education, PSA campaigns, etc…
this is very informative and helpful… it gives a clearer picture of how people get started on being addicted to smoking.
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This article is very interesting and relevant to what I do. I run an e cig review site. One of the great things about e cigaretts is that most brands have different levels of nicotine in the cartridges so you can ween yourself off of them. Obviously you have to want to quit and have the will power too, but these are a good way to stop smoking without having to go cold turkey. The nicotine is still in there and acting like this blog tells you, but e cigs are a good way to stop smoking.
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I agree with you vorobjev. But if only all of this would be enough for the smokers to stop the addiction and realize what smoking does to our body.
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You know they say that Electronic Cigarrettes have ONE toxin that is bad for you and blah blah, so “dont use them instead of cigarettes”. Well REAL cigarettes have 40,000!!! So whats worse? I mean really, LOL
I personally would feel defeated if i ever needed to turn to a drug to ease my stress…
That’s what i hate about my Mom, she will get stressed for no particular reason other than it’s time for a nifty ciggy and i’ll get a load of earache for no reason, and everything will be fine after she’s smoked an internal cancer stick cuddle.
love you mom !
Very informative. I ought to let the guys at the office read this and see if the still want to smoke after!
A Smoke Relief electronic cigarette or e-cigarette is a tobacco free and flameless cigarettes. An electronic cigarette is harmfree and comes in 6 delicious flavours
Honestly frightening… I am thinking about switching to electronic cigarettes as well, Heard some good oppinions.
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