Commonly Used Recreational Drug
Nicotine is an addictive organic compound found in tobacco plants.
Its the chemical that makes smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping so hard to quit.
Nicotine is associated with many health risks and problems.
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Tobacco is linked to cancer of the mouth, throat, and lungs.
Smoking cigarettes causes emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Quitting smoking or chewing tobacco can lead to nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
This article discusses nicotine, how it is used, and the risks associated with tobacco.
It also explains how nicotine replacement therapy can help you to quit smoking and chewing tobacco.
It’s also ahighly addictivestimulant.
How Nicotine Works
There are certain proteins in our bodies referred to as receptors.
These receptors only receive specific neurotransmitters or chemicals.
The receptors that nicotine binds to are callednicotinic-cholinergicreceptors.
Some of these neurotransmitterslike dopamine, beta-endorphin, and serotoninregulate pleasure, mood, emotion, and pain relief.
The dopamine release, for instance, is what causes one to feel pleasure after smoking a cigarette.
Other neurotransmitters like acetylcholine control physiological responses like heart contractions and muscle movements.
Recreational
Nicotine is used as a recreational drug because of its mood-altering and pleasure-inducing effects.
Nicotine use is very prevalent.
More than 28 million adults in the U.S. smoke cigarettes.
Continuous use of nicotine leads to long-term changes in the brain.
Nicotine use and addiction can cause many illnesses, disabilities, and even death.
Over 8 million people die worldwide every year as a direct result of tobacco use.Overcoming nicotine addiction is difficult.
Only about 6% of smokers are successfully able to quit every year.
Quitting smoking abruptly can cause one to experience many severe effects and cravings called withdrawal symptoms.
Products that deliver low doses of nicotine are sometimes used to ease quitting and manage withdrawal symptoms.
This form of treatment is callednicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
NRT products contain less nicotine than cigarettes and do not contain many harmful chemicals typically found in cigarettes.
Nicotine replacement can come in the form of patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, and nasal sprays.
Heavy smokers may be medically directed to use a combination of NRT products.
When used consistently, NRT increases the chances of successfully quitting smoking by 50% to 70%.
These drugs work by reducing cravings and do not contain nicotine.
Pesticide
In the natural environment, nicotine protects tobacco plants from herbivores.
Nicotine has been used as an insecticide for centuries, although its use this way has seriously dwindled.
Instead, chemicals calledneonicotinoidsare used in many pesticide products.
Neonicotinoids are derived from nicotine and are chemically similar to nicotine.
Aside from plant protection, they are also used for tick and flea control for pets.
Risks
There are many health risks and side effects associated with using nicotine.
These benefits include protection against illnesses and diseases like:
Nicotine may also help with weight loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common nicotine withdrawal symptoms include:
Nicotine has a reputation for relieving anxiety.
Nicotine dependence is more common among people with ADHD, anxiety disorders, and depression.
Research suggests nicotine may play a role in relieving symptoms of these mental illnesses.
Nicotine byproducts can be detected in urine for up to four days.
The test measures levels of cotinine, a nicotine metabolite.
Cotinine levels are generally:
Yes, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is safe to use.
NRT does not cause death or disease as tobacco products do.
The dangers of smoking and chewing tobacco is associated with chemicals other than nicotine.
There is no evidence that NRT can cause health problems.
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