Nicotine affects many parts of the body; it changes how the body uses food metabolism , causes our heart to beat faster, our pulse to quicken, it increases our blood pressure, and our veins begin to tighten causing blood flow throughout the body to become more difficult.
Nicotine works by stimulating our nervous system to release specific chemical messengers hormones and neurotransmitters that affect different parts of our brain and body. One hormone that nicotine affects is epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. When nicotine is inhaled, the buzz you feel is the release of epinephrine which stimulates the body and causes your blood pressure and heart rate to increase, and makes you breathe harder.
Nicotine also activates a specific part of your brain that makes you feel happy by stimulating the release of the hormone dopamine. The release of dopamine when nicotine is inhaled is thought to be the source of the pleasurable sensations you experience when smoking, which can include relaxation, a buzz, and relief of tension. Once inhaled, nicotine is rapidly distributed throughout the brain within 10 seconds. Signs and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include: irritability restlessness anxiety insomnia difficulty concentrating fatigue.
Various factors influence who is more likely to use tobacco and to develop nicotine dependence: Genetics: Heredity may determine how receptors in the brain respond to high doses of nicotine delivered by tobacco products. Family and friends: Children with parents who smoke are more likely to eventually take up smoking themselves. Children with friends who smoke are also more likely to try cigarettes.
Age: The younger a person is when they start using tobacco, the greater the chance that they will continue to smoke and develop nicotine dependence as adults. Co-existing mental health problems: People with mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia, have much higher rates of tobacco use. Other substance use: People who use alcohol, cannabis and illegal drugs have much higher rates of tobacco use.
The most important questions are: How soon after you wake up do you use tobacco? How many cigarettes do you smoke per day? Which is the most important cigarette of the day for you? Treatment Quitting tobacco use can take many attempts, so it is important to keep trying. Medications Stop-smoking medications reduce withdrawal symptoms and nicotine cravings. Nicotine replacement therapy NRT uses pure nicotine to treat nicotine dependence. NRT products come in different formats: patch, gum, inhaler, lozenge and nasal spray.
Some formats work faster than others. The slower-acting NRTs patch reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The faster-acting NRTs gum, lozenge, inhaler, spray work sooner to reduce both nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
NRT products can be more effective if they are used in combination. Varenicline Champix in Canada is a prescription medication used to treat nicotine dependence. It works on the brain to reduce nicotine withdrawal and cravings. Varenicline has the highest quit rate of existing treatments for tobacco cessation.
Bupropion is an antidepressant that can also be prescribed to treat nicotine dependence. For depression, the medication is called Wellbutrin. For tobacco cessation, it is called Zyban. Bupropion works on the brain to reduce nicotine withdrawal and cravings. Cytisine is an over-the-counter natural health product to aid in smoking cessation.
It reduces cravings and makes tobacco products less satisfying if the person uses them. Behavioral approaches to smoking cessation. Rigotti NA, et al. Benefits and risks of smoking cessation. Goldman L, et al.
Nicotine and tobacco. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Elsevier; Press HI, et al. Tobacco control and primary prevention. Get free help: Speak to an expert. Quit guide: Clearing the air. Prepare to quit. I want to quit smoking. American Lung Association. Tobacco use adult. Mayo Clinic; Let's make the next generation tobacco-free. Your guide to the 50th anniversary Surgeon General's report on smoking and health. Office of Patient Education. My smoke-free future.
Tobacco and kids. End of a meal. For some smokers, ending a meal means lighting up, and the prospect of giving that up may appear daunting. However, you can try replacing that moment after a meal with something else, such as a piece of fruit, a healthy dessert, a square of chocolate, or a stick of gum. Nicotine withdrawal begins quickly, usually starting within an hour of the last cigarette and peaking two to three days later.
Withdrawal symptoms can last for a few days to several weeks and differ from person to person. They will get better in a few weeks as the toxins are flushed from your body. It helps to be prepared in advance by having strategies to cope with cravings. Distract yourself. Do the dishes, turn on the TV, take a shower, or call a friend. Remind yourself why you quit. Get out of a tempting situation. If so, a change of scenery can make all the difference.
Reward yourself. Reinforce your victories. Whenever you triumph over a craving, give yourself a reward to keep yourself motivated. Find an oral substitute — Keep other things around to pop in your mouth when cravings hit.
Try mints, carrot or celery sticks, gum, or sunflower seeds. Or suck on a drinking straw. Keep your mind busy — Read a book or magazine, listen to some music you love, do a crossword or Sudoku puzzle, or play an online game.
Keep your hands busy — Squeeze balls, pencils, or paper clips are good substitutes to satisfy that need for tactile stimulation.
Brush your teeth — The just-brushed, clean feeling can help banish cigarette cravings. Drink water — Slowly drink a large glass of water. Not only will it help the craving pass, but staying hydrated helps minimize the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Light something else — Instead of lighting a cigarette, light a candle or some incense.
Get active — Go for a walk, do some jumping jacks or pushups, try some yoga stretches, or run around the block. Try to relax — Do something that calms you down, such as taking a warm bath, meditating, reading a book, or practicing deep breathing exercises.
Go somewhere smoking is not permitted — Step into a public building, store, mall, coffee shop, or movie theatre, for example. Smoking acts as an appetite suppressant, so gaining weight is a common concern for many of us when we decide to give up cigarettes. You may even be using it as a reason not to quit.
However, gaining weight is NOT inevitable when you stop smoking. Smoking dampens your sense of smell and taste, so after you quit food will often seem more appealing. You may also gain weight if you replace the oral gratification of smoking with eating unhealthy comfort foods. Nurture yourself. Instead of turning to cigarettes or food when you feel stressed, anxious, or depressed, learn new ways to quickly soothe yourself. Listen to uplifting music, play with a pet, or sip a cup of hot tea, for example.
Eat healthy, varied meals. Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, and healthy fats. Avoid sugary food , sodas, fried, and convenience food. Learn to eat mindfully. Emotional eating tends to be automatic and virtually mindless. Are you really still hungry or eating for another reason? Drink lots of water. Drinking at least six to eight 8 oz. Water will also help flush toxins from your body. Take a walk. Not only will it help you burn calories and keep the weight off , but it will also help alleviate feelings of stress and frustration that accompany smoking withdrawal.
Snack on guilt-free foods. Good choices include sugar-free gum, carrot and celery sticks, or sliced bell peppers or jicama. There are many different methods that have successfully helped people to kick the smoking habit. Smoking cessation medications can ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
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