Nicotine’s Effects on the Brain are very worst. People who are called chain smokers are addicted to smoking. Because it acts as a Stimulant because excessive use of smoking leads to an increase in Nicotine receptors which release Dopamine. One who took cigarettes he felt pleasure and start to used smoking.
Brain
The brain is a vital part of the human nervous system containing billions of neurons. Neurons are nerve cells that are responsible for carrying information between the brain and different organs of the body. It performs the action by releasing chemicals known as neurotransmitters and hormones.
Nicotine
It is an addictive chemical found in tobacco that gives pleasure effect. Tobacco is present in cigarettes, hookahs, cigars, and electronic cigarettes.
Effect on Brain
When a person smokes a cigarette, hookah, cigar, etc, it reaches the brain within less than 10 seconds and activates the receptors which release dopamine that result in producing pleasure effect. The pleasure effect produced is the main reason for becoming an addiction to smoking.
If someone continues to smoke, The nicotine receptors in the brain increase. It acts as a stimulant and sedative. it binds to the adrenal medulla which increases the flow of adrenaline which results in the sudden release of glucose as well as an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. It also causes a hyperglycemic effect because it suppresses insulin from the pancreas. It indirectly causes the release of dopamine which results in pleasure and delightful effects.
This also stimulates the nervous system to make the person awake and alert which causes sleeping disorders. Smokers have more oral problems than nonsmokers like mouth sores, ulcers, and gum diseases. A high risk of muscular degeneration develops due to smoking.
When someone tries to stop smoking, the brain receptors do not get nicotine, and the pleasure effect in the brain will be cut off. So low level of its will lead to depressed mood, anger, difficulty in sleeping, anxiety, increased hunger which may result in strong cravings for nicotine.
Advantages of stop Nicotine
But if smoking is stopped permanently, it has a good effect on the body. The level of carbon mono oxide which is toxic gas in the blood comes to a normal level. The lung function improves and blood circulation gets better within three months. Smoking can be stopped by fulfilling the need for nicotine by using Nicotinic Replacement Therapy.
Types of Replacement Therapy
There are different types of nicotinic replacement therapy
- Patches
- Inhalers
- Lozenges and Gums
- Nasal Spray
Patch
Its patch is the best substitute for getting nicotine from smoking and it’s easy to use. The patch will be applied to the skin once per day and one patch helps to relieve the craving for nicotine for the whole day. The patch takes 2 to 4 hours to show its effect.
Gum /Lozenges
The people who don’t like to apply its patch can stop the nicotine cravings by taking its gums and lozenges. Its gum can be taken as 1 to 2 pieces each hour and a maximum of 20 pieces a day. People who smoke more than 25 cigarettes a day can take a high dose such as a 4 mg dose of Nicotine gum than 2 mg.
Inhaler
Its inhaler looks like a plastic cigarette holder. Nicotine cartridges are inserted into the inhaler and take puffs by mouth for about 20 minutes and need to take puff 16 times a day. The inhaler has a quick-acting effect. It may cause throat irritation and cough.
Nasal Spray
It gives a quick dose of nicotine to satisfy the craving and gives the peak nicotine level to the brain within 5 to 10 minutes after its use. When a person wants to quit smoking, he has to spray 1 to 2 times in each nostril every hour and it must not spray more than 80 times per day. The spray can cause eyes, nose, and throat irritation. The spray should not be used for more than 6 months.
Wrapping Up
It has a bad effect on the brain. This effect weakens the user’s body and has a bad effect the functioning of liver, muscles, kidneys, lungs, and mental activity. Hyperglycemia is also occurred due to chain-smoking. Different Therapies are used to control Nicotine like spray, Patches, Gum, and inhaler. A sudden stop of smoking may cause weakness, anger, head, and restlessness in person. Keep away from smoking. It is better for your health.
Meet me; I am Paulina Zaniewska, who’s more hooked on providing the best health blog. I’ve always been so determined to compete as a nutritionist, and here I am, done with a Master’s in food technology. My brilliant performance throughout encouraged me to help people.