Repair 

Description of the effect of nicotine on the human body. Why nicotine is bad for human health The harmful effects of nicotine

The topic of how nicotine affects the human body is raised by the media several times during the year. Public attention is literally riveted on this variety of bad habits. Every year, the anti-tobacco fight is supplemented by various laws and measures to restrict smokers. But the popularity of cigarettes is only growing.

The use of cigarettes for a smoker is a psychological action. The influence on the subconscious is so great that a person independently causes major harm to his health. Once in the lungs, the substances formed as a result of burning tobacco are absorbed by the walls of the organ and enter the bloodstream. It is through the bloodstream that nicotine reaches the brain.

The main way nicotine enters the human body is cigarette smoking, other forms have been gradually lost.

The effect of nicotine on the human body lies in its effect on four systems:

  • respiratory system;
  • digestive organs;
  • central nervous system;
  • the cardiovascular system.

Recently, a scientific group conducted an experiment, the purpose of which was to identify the effect of nicotine on brain regions. During the experiment, it was found that the first contact of a neuron with a substance was accompanied by an aggressive reaction. For this, certain impulses were developed, which indicate that the body is struggling with an irritant. Subsequently, the contact of nicotine with the neuron was accompanied by complete indifference of the second. After some time, the neurons "demanded" the appearance of the substance. It was thanks to this technique that the formation of dependence was revealed.

In some cases, this substance can replace pleasure hormones. In this regard, the production of the hormone itself slows down. The development of such a situation is dangerous because in the future this hormone will not be produced at all.

It only takes a few seconds for nicotine to reach the brain. Under the influence of toxins, the central nervous system slows down its work. This leads to the fact that the effect of nicotine on the human body is expressed by a rapid heartbeat, vasoconstriction in the limbs and expansion of their departments located in the brain. This leads to the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream, which helps to lower blood glucose.

All of these reactions require constant energy. In this regard, even leading a sedentary lifestyle, the smoker does not suffer from excess weight. It is rather difficult to talk about this on the positive side, since the lack of mass gain is compensated by various toxic compounds.

Adrenaline and endorphin, which are released in the body, cause euphoria, good mood and increased tone. However, these effects are temporary. In order for them to appear again, the body needs to be saturated with nicotine one more time. It is this fact that contributes to the development of both psychological and physiological dependence.

If we take all patients with lung cancer, then 80-88% of them will be smokers

Physiological addiction

Regular ingestion of nicotine into the body leads to physiological dependence, which is expressed by the body's demand for a new dose of the toxin. Tobacco cessation triggers processes accompanied by severe pain symptoms. A person noticeably decreases activity, heart pain, apathy and depression appear. In addition, quitting smoking can be accompanied by severe migraines.

And this is only a small part of the symptoms, which is manifested in almost all addicts. Another part of the symptoms has individual differences. In addition to physical dependence, there is also a psychological one, which is even more difficult to overcome.

Psychological addiction

When experts are asked what nicotine affects, they begin to talk about how much tobacco smoke harms internal organs. Few doctors say that psychological dependence is more pronounced than any other.

This is due to the fact that in most cases a person uses a cigarette as a way to get a break from work, "kill" boredom and waiting time. Fighting the habit itself is much more difficult than the symptoms that accompany smoking cessation.

In order to cope with addiction, you need not only to get the necessary incentive, but also to completely rethink your life. You need to find the root of the psychological problem and eliminate it. For example, if a person smokes a lot while waiting for transport, you need to replace the cigarette with sweets or seeds. This is just an example of how to deal with a problem.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for psychological addiction, so it is very important to work on yourself daily.

How nicotine affects the body

Smoking is one of the best ways to kill your own organs. The most powerful blow the use of cigarettes inflicts on the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. The first blow covers the mouth of the smoker. The high temperature of tobacco smoke constantly has a negative effect on tooth enamel, under which it is destroyed. Many have noticed that the teeth of smokers have a yellowish tint. This is because resin settles in the resulting cracks.

This resin is the cause of the specific smell. Getting into saliva, nicotine descends along the mucous membrane to the stomach. There it has a destructive effect on the lining of the intestines and intestines. According to statistics, smokers suffer from ulcers and gastritis twice as often as non-smokers.

Smoking remains one of the biggest problems in our society as it is one of the most prevalent causes of death

The chemical elements that make up tobacco have a huge impact on the respiratory system. They increase the risks associated with the appearance of diseases such as bronchitis and tuberculosis. This is quite dangerous for the body, since these diseases are difficult to treat and leave an indelible mark on the condition of the lungs.

You need to understand that smoking increases the contraction of the heart muscle. Such loads contribute to its wear, resulting in less oxygen that passes through the body. The lack of oxygen is affected by the fact that under the influence of the harmful components of tobacco, many vessels change their structure and impede blood flow.

A similar situation is fertile ground for the development of coronary heart disease. In addition, there is a risk of angina pectoris and the development of a heart attack. Cigarette use can cause hypertension, which can lead to impaired blood flow in the brain and stroke.

With vascular damage, there are risks with the appearance of obliterating endarteritis. This disease is a precursor to gangrene. Nicotine changes not only the vascular system, but also the skin. The skin takes on a yellowish, unhealthy appearance.

An interesting fact was discovered by European researchers. As it turned out, smoking at a young age directly affects the ability to acquire knowledge. The use of cigarettes causes poor digestibility of the studied material, and slows down the processes of mental development. Young smokers also experience problems emotionally, it becomes more difficult for boys and girls to find an activity that will be to their liking. Adolescents who use tobacco become more nervous and aggressive.

It is very important to understand that passive participation in smoking processes is rather unsafe. People around a smoker are several times more likely to get diseases associated with oncology of the respiratory organs than the smoker himself. Such an effect of cigarettes on the body of a woman in position is especially dangerous.

Tobacco smoke in seventy percent of cases is the cause of the birth of handicapped children.

Knowing what nicotine is and how it affects the functioning of the internal organs, it becomes easier to fight addiction to its use. In order to get rid of a bad habit on your own, you need to develop a plan and follow it clearly. Only having an incentive, a person will be able to overcome himself and take a step towards a healthy life.

In contact with

The history of tobacco in the world goes back three thousand years, and in Russia tobacco first appeared only under Ivan the Terrible. The fight against this “sweet” potion at the international level began actively only in the last century, and so far there is no obvious evidence that the notorious “healthy lifestyle” is winning. A huge army of smokers provides guaranteed profits to the tobacco companies of the world, because, despite all the measures taken by health organizations in the vast majority of countries, tobacco is still the most accessible and widespread drug.

For the first time, nicotine was isolated from tobacco only in 1809 by Vauquelin, and later (in 1828) Posselt and Reimann for the first time gave a description of pure nicotine alkaloid, which is an oily transparent liquid with a sharp, burning taste of an alkaline reaction. Nicotine boils at a temperature of 140-145 0 C, dissolves in water, ether and alcohol and is a very strong poison.

The potency of nicotine is not the same for all animals. It has been proven that the degree of tolerance of animals to nicotine is inversely proportional to the development of their nervous system, i.e. animals with a more developed nervous system tolerate nicotine worse. Accordingly, all mammals, which also include humans, are very sensitive to nicotine. In this regard, sheep and goats are an exception, especially the latter, which can eat large quantities of tobacco leaves without harm to themselves.

What is happening?

The body gets used to nicotine, which is known from life: the amount of nicotine that the average smoker consumes would undoubtedly cause poisoning in an unusual one. A 6 g cigar contains 0.3 g of nicotine. If such a cigar is swallowed by an adult, then he may die; 20 cigars or 100 cigarettes a day can also lead to death when smoked. An interesting fact is that a leech, delivered to a smoker, soon falls off in convulsions and dies from sucked human blood containing nicotine.

The paradox is that people don't die from nicotine when they smoke, because the dose received by the smoker is too small for this. Numerous deadly diseases are caused by other more harmful substances: there are about four thousand of them in the smoke. Nicotine makes a person smoke. Tobacco is considered by some addiction experts to be the most powerful addictive drug in the same group as heroin and cocaine. Nicotine acts through receptors at the junctions of nerve cells in the brain and muscle tissue. These receptors instantly recognize it as soon as it enters the body. As a result, the work of the nerve impulse is distorted, which controls the state of blood vessels, muscle tissue, glands of external and internal secretion. When the receptors signal the presence of nicotine, blood pressure rises and peripheral circulation slows down. The brainwaves are altered and a whole range of endocrine and metabolic effects are triggered.

The mental and physical state of the smoker, as well as the situation in which smoking takes place, can cause feelings of both relaxation and cheerfulness. In stressful situations, a cigarette acts as a sedative, and in a situation of relaxation as a stimulant. As soon as the body gets used to a certain level of nicotine in the blood, it will strive to maintain it, and the person will again reach for a cigarette.

By its action, nicotine is a respiratory stimulant. Nicotine also has the ability to cause the so-called withdrawal syndrome. With prolonged use, as happens with a smoker, nicotine ceases to stimulate respiration, and with the cessation of use causes its oppression. This is related to the discomfort that a person experiences when quitting smoking. This condition develops during the first day and can last one to two weeks.

Unfortunately, smoking harms not only the person who is addicted to tobacco, but also those around him. Passive smokers, according to numerous studies, suffer only 1.5 times less from the consequences of other people's smoking than smokers themselves.

Diagnosis

Smokers can be divided into three groups: 1. there is no nicotine dependence, smoking is caused by psychological dependence; 2. there is a nicotine addiction; 3. a combination of both types of dependence - psychological and physical (nicotine). To quickly determine addiction, you can ask a person three questions, to which he must answer “yes” or “no”: - Do you smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day? - Do you smoke during the first half hour after waking up? - Have you experienced strong cravings or withdrawal symptoms while trying to quit smoking?

If all questions were answered positively, then this indicates a high degree of dependence on nicotine. If desired, you can calculate the index of a smoking person, proposed by the European Respiratory Society. The number of cigarettes he smokes per day is multiplied by 12. If the index exceeds 200, then the degree of dependence on nicotine is high.

In addition, various methods for diagnosing nicotine addiction have now been developed. Objective tests include the determination of markers of tobacco smoke: the level of carbon monoxide (CO) in the exhaled air, the concentration of thiocyanate, nicotine, cotinine or other metabolites in the blood, urine or saliva.

Treatment

Like any addiction, the habit of smoking is extremely difficult to treat. You cannot force a patient to quit smoking. Only through persuasion can one form his personal motivation to quit smoking.

In cases of established nicotine addiction and the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms, it is necessary to recommend an individual differentiated and, therefore, effective therapy.

Smoking is a habit that has long and firmly entered the daily life of a modern person. Initially, tobacco, brought from the New World, was used as a medicine. However, its harmful properties, after a few decades, have become more and more obvious to people.

Today, everyone knows that the effect of nicotine on the human body (on the liver, lungs, brain, intestines, etc.) is clearly negative, even when using electronic cigarettes. But what exactly is it? This needs to be sorted out.

Impact on the respiratory system

The most obvious and obvious harm cigarettes cause to the respiratory system. Yes, this can be seen in their "application". A person, first of all, inhales the coveted nicotine smoke, and, accordingly, he goes on a “journey” through the respiratory system of a person (and, sometimes, a child). How exactly is the harm to breathing?

Impact principle

The smoke from cigarettes gets into the lungs, everyone knows that. There the following happens to him. Since it is much heavier than air, and the composition of cigarettes is rather rough, resins begin to settle in the lungs. And that's just the beginning of the breathing problems.

Settling, nicotine resins block all available mechanisms of self-cleaning of the lungs. This leads to serious damage to the alveolar sacs.

Related diseases

Smoking significantly increases the occurrence of such an unpleasant disease as bronchiectasis. In fact, it consists in the chronic expansion of the bronchi, as well as their departments. What is especially frustrating is that these damages are irreversible. Their consequences can only be stopped, but not completely eliminated.

Also, heavy smokers have a strong predisposition to various types of allergies, asthma and colds. This is due to the fact that the smoke, while still on its way to the lungs, has time to severely damage the mucous membrane of the larynx, trachea, and ciliated epithelium.

All of the above diseases in them take much more severe and protracted forms, and it is much more difficult for smokers to recover from them. And the icing on the cake is an increased risk of lung cancer. Well, this is understandable. This organ is most affected by nicotine.

And in modern cigarettes there are a lot of other substances that contribute to the decay or change in the cells of the human body. Therefore, lung cancer here is a natural outcome, and not an unpleasant surprise.

Impact on the cardiovascular system

The cardiovascular system is under the influence of nicotine. Given the critical importance of the heart as an organ of life, it is difficult to overestimate the potential harm that cigarettes can bring.

Accompanying illnesses

As a result of smoking, the production of adrenaline is significantly increased. More precisely, the amount of substances contributing to this, which are released into the body in the process, increases. Most often, this leads to damage to the vascular wall and myocardium. With the latter, many have unpleasant associations in the face of "myocardial infarction".

Yes, cigarettes can lead to a similar unpleasant outcome. Usually, doctors determine this by transillumination of atherosclerotic plaques on the coronary arteries.

By itself, nicotine also contributes to the abundant formation of blood clots in the circulatory system. And this, in turn, leads to a number of painful and deadly consequences.

At the "top" of this frightening "pyramid" are gangrene of the extremities and problems with the work of the heart (up to its stop, due to lack of incoming blood).

Statistical readings

One more thing contributes to the wear and tear of the heart. Studies have shown that just one cigarette increases the heart rate by 8-10 beats per minute (hence the slight euphoria, coupled with a false sensation of warmth).

In a day, this figure can be, in turn, from 15 to 25 thousand "extra" strokes, thanks to the cigarettes smoked that day. And every day the heart to maintain such a rhythm is more and more difficult.

According to disappointing statistics, and based on all of the above, one should not be surprised by the fact that diseases of the cardiovascular system affect smokers much more often than non-smokers.

In general, myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, along with other related diseases, are observed in "nicotine dependent" 10-12 times more often than in those who are free from this bad habit.

Impact on the reproductive system

To the displeasure of most men (and, unfortunately, teenagers), cigarettes also have a very negative effect on the reproductive system. Despite the external "coolness" of this habit and its "help" in the matter of seduction, when it comes to bed, the smoker, in short, loses to the non-smoker on all fronts.

Harm to the health of the smoker

In addition to the deterioration of the sensitivity and "endurance" of the genital organs, there are deeper, as well as more unpleasant consequences in this regard. The fact is that the glands involved in the process of reproduction need a stable supply of oxygen. And nicotine resins significantly prevent it.

Also, the increased secretion of adrenaline caused by smoking impairs the functioning of all other secretory glands. All this affects the activity of the hormonal system, and, of course, causes significant damage to the reproductive organs.

There is one very unpleasant thing that statistics show. According to her, less than one fifth of all cases of violation of male potency are associated with mental or genetic problems.

All other cases are a consequence of long-term use of nicotine. 80%, to be precise. More than an impressive figure, which should take a closer look.

Harm to the embryo of a smoker

The most noticeable effect on the reproductive system of the female body. Especially for offspring after conception. Yes, if a smoking man conceived, the fetus will be weakened. But he has a chance to survive and be born somehow healthy.

But if during pregnancy the future mother of the embryo gets to the cigarette, then the consequences in terms of the child's heredity, as well as the rate of its growth and development, will be much more serious, even catastrophic. Yes, and breastfeeding here will be unacceptable.

Impact on the nervous system

One of the most noticeable effects that nicotine has on the body concerns the autonomic nervous system. Of course, it manifests itself most strongly in adulthood, after many years of regular and active smoking.

However, even at earlier stages, cigarettes have a certain negative impact on this most important component of the human body (especially if it is a teenager).

The problem is that nicotine, in addition to all its other negative properties, is also a neurotoxin. Accordingly, it has a rather strong impact on how efficiently brain signals pass through the nervous system. This leads to a worse reaction, irritability, memory problems.

Impact principle

Now about how this effect occurs. It all starts with the fact that nicotine, after the lungs, goes directly to the brain. This path through the blood vessels takes him about 7 seconds.

There, without exaggeration, this drug begins its effect on acitylcholine receptors (they are responsible for pleasure). First comes a pleasant excited state, which, over time, is replaced by a slight oppression.

Reason for addiction

It is the last moment that is the reason for such a strong addiction to such a seemingly “frivolous” drug. A person unconsciously (or even consciously) notices that while smoking, and for a short period of time after it, he feels good.

Good - in the full sense of the word. And without a cigarette - it's bad. Therefore, he reaches for the coveted "pacifier" again and again, turning the psychological addiction into a physical one.

Combination of nicotine and alcohol

The most dangerous moment is that, over time, smokers are no longer satisfied with just cigarettes to maintain their high spirits. Therefore, they supplement it with another "household" drug - alcohol.

The combined effect of alcohol and nicotine on the human body can be simply catastrophic. Alcohol accelerates blood flow, and, accordingly, the distribution of nicotine throughout the body. In addition, it further slows down the speed at which brain signals are sent to the body.

Harm to organs

For example, with the help of alcohol, nicotine gets to the lungs through the vessels directly as “on a sled” and can be more effectively absorbed by the walls of this long-suffering organ (and, of course, to the liver). The heart, being often exposed to doses of alcoholic beverages, begins to grow fat.

Together with the blood clots formed by nicotine, this puts a tremendous strain on the main blood pump of the human body. Moreover, if this is not an adult, but a teenager, then the degree of destructive impact increases exponentially.

Well, there is nothing to say about the effect of such a combination on the brain and its vessels. Slowing down the passage of signals, the death of brain cells due to oxygen deficiency, the formation of blood clots in the brain - all this is unlikely to have a positive effect on the state of the nervous system.

Associated diseases and problems

As a result, with the joint use of nicotine and alcohol, a person may be threatened with a significantly greater likelihood of the following diseases:

  • asthma;
  • hypertension;
  • coronary insufficiency;
  • frequent headaches;
  • stroke;
  • sclerosis.

Of course, due to alcohol, both the liver and the stomach are damaged, affecting the entire digestive system along the way. And here everything is a little worse than it seems.

Alcohol also brings with it nicotine, which also contributes to this dirty deed. The result is unfavorable for the health of all these organs, liver, intestines, skin, vision, etc.

Conclusion

Given all of the above, one can only wonder why millions of people in the world still remain subject to the bad habit of smoking. However, in favor of cigarettes is a huge machine of production and advertising, which, together, create such a seductive image of a successful and "cool" smoker.

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How does smoking affect the human body?

Effects of alcohol and nicotine on human health

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As can be seen from the above, the reality for health is somewhat gloomier, and headaches with pressure and shortness of breath will not be limited here.

And lungs. Those who abuse this bad habit quickly deteriorate their teeth, the face begins to acquire a yellowish color. But many do not think about how smoking affects the liver.

How smoking affects the liver

The negative effect of cigarette smoke on this organ occurs due to the fact that all metabolic processes - the processing of a large number of various substances, including nicotine, occurs in the liver. When you puff a cigarette, the smoke, getting into the respiratory organs, is immediately absorbed into the blood, and it contains a little less than 4 thousand different substances. The liver must process all these components, and they must become safe for the entire human body.

The impact of smoking on the liver cannot be underestimated. She, neutralizing the chemicals in tobacco smoke, suffers greatly. In addition, all organs are negatively affected. The bottom line is that at the time of processing nicotine and tar by hepatocytes, the rest of the harmful substances are absorbed into the blood. They affect other organs and can provoke many diseases, disrupt metabolic processes, at best, simply lead to poor health.

The harmful effects of nicotine and tobacco smoke on the liver

After nicotine enters the liver, it is processed by hepatocytes into cotinine (an alkaloid) that is harmless to the body. But for this process to occur, it must release a large amount of cytochrome P450 (enzyme). The problem is that the liver can produce it only in a strictly limited amount, and it is also required for the normal metabolism of hormones and the removal of endogenous toxins.

Tobacco smoke is made up of:

  • Nicotine (is an alkaloid poison).
  • Polonium, lead and radium (radioactive nuclides).
  • Substances that enhance taste (synthetic substitutes for tastes and odors).
  • Carbon monoxide.
  • Resin.
  • Ammonia.
  • Tar.
  • Benzene.
  • Butane.
  • Cadmium.
  • Turpentine.
  • propylene glycol.
  • Benzopyrene.
  • Arsenic.

All of these substances are carcinogenic and highly toxic. They are much more harmful than car exhaust and you can imagine how dangerous the effect of smoking on the liver.

Smoke from cigarettes affects this organ in such a way that the production of enzymes is significantly reduced and this leads to metabolic disorders, deterioration of metabolism, sex hormones begin to be poorly produced and the functioning of the digestive tract is disrupted. Plus, smokers have problems associated with the work of the cardiovascular system and weakened immunity.

These harmful chemicals act on the liver of a person who smokes cigarettes so heavily that even powerful drugs become almost powerless in the fight against them. The problem is not in the drugs themselves, but in the fact that the smoker's liver does not produce enough enzymes to process the tablets and they simply enter the intestines undigested and without any benefit.

Nicotine not only affects the liver in a direct way. It constricts blood vessels, causing less blood to flow to this organ and it cannot work as it should.

Effects of smoking on the liver

In people who suffer from this addiction, the liver cannot fully cleanse the blood of various toxic substances that enter the human body with food, water and air. The liver is weakened and cannot fully perform such functions:

  • Neutralize toxins in the blood.
  • Fight chronic diseases.
  • Neutralize fat levels with produced cholesterol.
  • Fight carcinogens.
  • There are problems with blood vessels.

For most smokers who like to occasionally drink beer and sometimes something stronger, eat fatty and smoked foods, as well as those who live in industrial urban areas, after an average of 10 or 15 years of such a life, the liver "regenerates". Hepatocytes, which were absolutely healthy, begin to be replaced by adipose tissue, vascular sclerosis appears and a lot of toxins enter the blood.

Enzymes and hormones that the liver must produce in large quantities, as well as glucose, are being produced less and less. The result of all these processes is disappointing. The work of the entire circulatory and digestive system is disrupted, due to the fact that it is this organ that produces the synthesis of thrombopoietin and hepcidin. Thanks to the first, platelet synthesis in the bone marrow is regulated, and hepcidin is responsible for the synthesis of iron homeostasis in the human body.

Why nicotine addiction appears and what is the role of the liver

Many people think that this organ has nothing to do with nicotine addiction, but it is not. Nicotine is an essential substance for humans, but only in small quantities. The liver has a function that allows it to produce this substance and, most importantly, it is completely harmless. But it should be noted that the nicotine produced by the liver is not the same as in cigarette smoke. Smokers have an excess of this substance while smoking a cigarette and the body stops producing it. That's why it's so hard to quit smoking.

People should get a certain dose of nicotine, but after a sharp quitting of this habit, especially if a person has smoked for a large number of years, it ceases to be produced. That is why there is such a strong addiction to cigarettes. But it is worth a while to refrain from smoking, and the liver will resume the production of nicotine and dependence on tobacco smoke will disappear.

Even those who are not addicted to cigarette smoking, when surrounded by them, inhale tobacco smoke, and the liver produces the necessary enzymes so that the body can cleanse itself and remove toxic substances in the urine. In smokers, the enzyme that is responsible for removing nicotine from the human body is produced in increasing quantities, and nicotine is excreted faster and faster. Some may think that this is good, but, oddly enough, because of this, addiction to tobacco smoke appears. This is because the withdrawal of nicotine is made so quickly that the body begins to demand its replenishment much faster. Smoking and a healthy liver are incompatible.

If a person whose liver function has been disturbed completely gives up smoking, as well as drinking alcohol, then the liver will begin to recover. Before you start smoking, first of all, you should think carefully about whether this addiction is worth putting the liver to such tests.

Kills a horse. But have you ever thought that a person who smokes a couple of packs of cigarettes every day does not suffer at all from these very nicotine drops. Moreover, it is hard for a smoker when he is forced to give up nicotine doping for some time. So what is this substance - nicotine? And why, what is good for a smoker, then horses are death?

The history of the conquest of mankind

Nicotine began its victorious march, the conquest of tribes and peoples in ancient times, when no one had heard of it. A man smoked tobacco, enjoyed it, and did not think why tobacco smoke is so attractive. Christopher Columbus, who, along with the discovery of America, discovered for Europeans a hitherto unknown occupation - smoking, and could not imagine what efforts descendants would make to eradicate this evil, and how futile these efforts would be. Tobacco smoking spread rapidly across the continent and, despite the fact that some countries had severe bans on the use of tobacco, the number of smokers has grown and is growing to this day.

The veil over the secret of addiction to tobacco was opened only at the beginning of the 19th century, when the French chemist Vauquelin managed to isolate a certain toxic substance from tobacco leaves. Later, in 1828, the German scientists Posselt and Reimann described the properties of this substance. A colorless, oily liquid, highly soluble in alcohol and water, with a burning taste, was called nicotine. This immortalized the name of the French diplomat Jean Nicot, who used crushed tobacco leaves as a cure for asthma, rheumatism, toothache and headaches. It is believed that with the help of this remedy he cured Queen Catherine de Medici of a migraine.

So, from the moment we received the first drops of pure nicotine - a plant alkaloid contained in tobacco leaves, the history of its study began, as well as the history of man. First of all, its toxicity was proven in experimental animals. Even a leech that has sucked on the blood of a smoker, given a very small dose of nicotine, falls off and dies in convulsions under the influence of this substance. But toxicity is not the biggest problem. Worse, nicotine is addictive. It is thanks to this property that nicotine recruits people into a large smoking army.

Nicotine - through the eyes of doctors

An alkaloid of tobacco leaves, nicotine enters the smoker's body through the lungs. Absorbed in the pulmonary capillaries, it enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. In the central nervous system, in autonomic nerve nodes, in neuromuscular junctions, there are receptors that are sensitive to nicotine ( acetylcholinergic receptors). Stimulation of these receptors causes changes in the functioning of all body systems. The heartbeat becomes more frequent, blood pressure rises, peripheral vessels constrict, while the vessels of the brain expand, adrenaline is released into the blood, and the content of glucose in the blood increases.

All reactions triggered by the presence of nicotine in the blood require energy expenditure, therefore smoking, even in the absence of proper physical activity, does not allow a person to get better.

The high toxicity of nicotine is also not a myth created in order to scare away the gullible from smoking. If the nicotine contained in one cigarette is administered intravenously to a person, then death is inevitable. During smoking, the dose of nicotine that enters the body is much less, due to the fact that not all of the smoke enters the lungs, and the part that reaches the lungs is highly diluted. But even an insignificant dose of nicotine is enough for the body to recognize it and begin to specifically respond to its presence.

Many argue that the most harmful thing in a cigarette is not nicotine, but tobacco smoke. This is true, but only in part. It is thanks to nicotine that a persistent dependence on a cigarette arises, which keeps the smoker on the hook, even if he is aware of all the harm and all the perniciousness of his habit.

Habit or addiction?

Nicotine stimulates the release of adrenaline into the blood, as well as hormones of joy - endorphins. As a result, the smoker feels an upsurge in mood, a surge of vivacity, clarity in the head and a sudden revival, experiencing a mild euphoria. But the effect of nicotine is very short-lived. Already after 20-30 minutes, the concentration of nicotine decreases so much that all the effects caused by the cigarette begin to fade. The brain requires a new doping, additional nourishment. This is a kind of conditioned reflex: I liked it, give me more!

The fact that nicotine really causes dependence, akin to drugs, is already a proven fact. But there are 2 sides of this dependence, each of which holds a person in its vice, each of which requires separate methods of treatment.

physical addiction

The state in which the body adapts and gets used to the systematic intake of a certain substance, and painfully reacts to its absence, is called physical dependence. Physical addiction gives us every right to put smoking on the list of addictions.

The abstinence syndrome that a smoker experiences when voluntarily or forced to give up a cigarette is a clear manifestation of physical dependence. Reduced efficiency, interruptions in the work of the cardiovascular system, headaches, depression - these are the manifestations of nicotine withdrawal. But, if the smoker was only physically addicted to nicotine, then quitting would not be so difficult. Overcoming nicotine withdrawal is not so difficult. There are drugs with a nicotine-like effect, a variety of nicotine-containing patches, films, and inhalers. It is harder to break the bonds of psychic addiction.

mental addiction

The habitual way of action, formed from the repeated repetition of a ritual, is called mental dependence. Someone used to smoke at the bus stop, while waiting for the bus; someone cannot imagine a friendly conversation without a cigarette; someone definitely needs to smoke to cope with a difficult task. Sometimes the life of a smoker is all woven from such "cigarette-addicted" fragments. The most difficult thing in the treatment of mental addiction is breaking stereotypes. No medicine will help here, only a strong willed decision is needed.

There are many techniques to help overcome mental addiction, but without the desire of the smoker, without his firm intention to leave cigarettes, any technique is ineffective.

Most smokers are prone to two types of addiction at once. To determine how dependent a person is on a cigarette, it is worth asking him only 3 simple questions, to which he must give an unequivocal answer: Yes or no.

  1. Do you smoke about 20 cigarettes a day?
  2. Do you always smoke in the first half hour after waking up in the morning?
  3. Does your health worsen during the period of voluntary or forced refusal from cigarettes.

Positive answers to these questions reveal, the treatment of which will require determination and considerable effort. Therefore, it is better to stop just when you can answer “no!” to any of these questions.

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