Nicotine Withdrawal

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that is an alkaloid substance found naturally in the nightshade family, and is the addictive element of tobacco cigarettes.  Nicotine is a blood-barrier element that can move into the blood stream through the skin or through inhalation.  

Nicotine has some unique qualities that contribute to the addictive nature of the substance it acts as both a stimulant and a depressant.  The nature of nicotine is to mimic the property of naturally occurring neurotransmitters, in doing so it turns up the volume of the body’s neurotransmitter system.  In addition, there is a reaction with the receptors that enhances the addictive cycle of the nicotine.  Medical experts often compare the addictive nature of nicotine to the addictive properties of heroin or cocaine.  

More than 43 million Americans smoke and world wide more than 1.2 billion smokers.  While each year millions attempt to quit smoking only about 5% succeed without some type of assistance. One of the predominant reasons for the high failure rate is the highly addictive nature of nicotine.  

Nicotine has medical effects that are both positive and negative in its impact.  There are recent medical studies looking at the positive potential for pharmaceuticals based upon the properties of nicotine.  There is medical evidence that nicotine, since it turns up the volume of neurotransmitters, can be useful in disorders and conditions where the level of neurotransmitter activity is reduced or impaired.  There are findings that the medications can have a positive effect on Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and ADHD and ADD.    

However, more is known about the negative effects of nicotine: the depression, irritability, decreased appetite and trouble concentrating. Nicotine also increases the blood level of glucose and the production of insulin.  It increases heart rate and blood pressure.  It increases the bowel activity and saliva production.  It may cause headaches.  

Smokers report a feeling of well-being, increased concentration and an improved state of alertness as well as over all mood.   

Nicotine increases the levels of dopamine in the brain, which is responsible for the feeling of stimulation, as the levels of nicotine increases the serotonin, which acts to generate a feeling of euphoria.  The release of glucose and insulin production increases the energy level.

In order to quit smoking without experiencing the debilitating effects of nicotine withdrawal, many use a replacement system for nicotine.  Patches, gums and medications are common nicotine replacement systems.  Others will use a substitute for tobacco cigarettes such as electronic cigarettes to provide nicotine without the harmful effects of tobacco.  The electronic cigarette will allow the user to choose the levels of nicotine in the concentrated solution, which can allow the user to reduce the levels of nicotine over time.  

Nicotine hits the brain within seconds of inhaling or skin penetration.  It lasts in the system directly for several hours.  An overdose of nicotine in the system can be fatal.  It is important for those handling nicotine in concentration to take care to keep it from spilling on skin, or being accessible to children or pets.