What does nicotine do in the body?
What does nicotine do in the body?
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Nicotine, the most well-known substance found in tobacco products, has a wide range of complex effects on the human body. It affects both the brain and numerous other bodily systems. From short-term stimulation to long-term health risks, the effects of nicotine are multifaceted and often underestimated. In the following paragraphs, we will examine these effects in detail.
How does nicotine affect the brain?
Once nicotine enters the bloodstream, it reaches the brain within seconds. There, it binds to receptors for acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter important for functions such as attention, memory, and muscle control. This binding triggers a cascade of chemical reactions:
• Dopamine release: Nicotine causes the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter known as the “reward chemical.” This feeling of well-being and relaxation plays a major role in the development of addiction.
• Increased attention: Nicotine temporarily improves concentration and alertness, often described as a “focusing effect.”
• Tolerance and dependence: With regular use, the brain adapts to the increased dopamine production. The receptors become less sensitive, which means more nicotine is needed to achieve the same effect.
Over time, this change impairs the natural function of the reward system, making it harder to quit using nicotine.
Effects of nicotine on the cardiovascular system
Nicotine stimulates the release of adrenaline, a stress hormone that has an immediate impact on the cardiovascular system. Even after just a few puffs of a cigarette, changes occur:
• Increased heart rate: The heart starts beating faster because adrenaline boosts heart muscle activity.
• Rise in blood pressure: Blood vessels constrict, which leads to increased resistance in the circulatory system. Over many years of use, this effect can contribute to chronic high blood pressure.
• Greater strain on the heart: Persistent narrowing of the vessels and increased heart activity significantly raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.
These effects are especially problematic because they often do not cause noticeable symptoms at first, but over time can significantly reduce life expectancy.
How does nicotine affect the airways?
Although nicotine itself causes less direct harm to the respiratory tract, the use of tobacco products has serious effects on the lungs and bronchi. The smoke inhaled while smoking contains a wide range of harmful chemicals:
• Irritation of the airways: Tar and other pollutants from tobacco smoke irritate the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and cause inflammation.
• Impaired lung function: Regular exposure to these harmful substances damages lung tissue, increasing the risk of diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or lung cancer.
• Reduced self-cleaning ability of the lungs: Nicotine and smoke inhibit the function of the cilia in the airways, which normally remove pollutants and mucus from the lungs.
The combination of these effects makes breathing increasingly difficult over time and raises the risk of serious lung diseases.
Nicotine and the digestive system
Nicotine also has noticeable effects on digestion, although these are often less discussed. One of the most well-known effects is appetite suppression, which leads to lower body weight for many smokers. However, this is only part of the story:
• Appetite suppression and metabolic stimulation: Nicotine suppresses hunger by affecting the hypothalamus in the brain. It also speeds up metabolism, causing the body to burn more calories.
• Stomach acid production: Nicotine stimulates the production of stomach acid, which can lead to problems such as heartburn, gastritis, or even stomach ulcers with long-term use.
• Impaired digestive function: Nicotine can slow down the movements of the gastrointestinal tract, which may result in constipation and other digestive issues.
This also shows that the short-term effects of nicotine are often associated with long-term health disadvantages.
The addictive effects of nicotine
One of the most significant properties of nicotine is its ability to cause addiction. Both psychological and physical dependence play a role here:
• Psychological dependence: The release of dopamine creates a feeling of reward that smokers associate with relaxation or stress relief. This behavior quickly becomes a habit.
• Physical dependence: The body becomes accustomed to the presence of nicotine and shows clear withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, and cravings.
This dual effect makes nicotine a particularly difficult substance to overcome. Studies show that nicotine can be just as addictive as heroin or cocaine, highlighting the challenge faced by smokers who want to quit.
Long-term health risks of nicotine
The long-term consequences of nicotine use are severe and affect almost every organ system:
• Cancer risk: While nicotine does not directly cause cancer, it promotes the growth of tumor cells and the spread of metastases.
• Damage to the cardiovascular system: Chronic narrowing of blood vessels and increased strain on the heart significantly raise the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
• Reduced life expectancy: Studies show that smokers lose an average of ten years of life expectancy.
Quitting nicotine or reducing consumption can drastically lower these risks, especially if cessation occurs early.