A cigarette contains approximately 8 to 20 milligrams of nicotine, of which 1 mg is absorbed into the bloodstream. Nicotine is the drug that gets you addicted to the tobacco product. Research suggests that through the use of cigarettes, cigars, gutkas, pan masalas etc, nicotine has become one of the most heavily used addictive drugs. This drug has a very potent effect on our bodies and it overpowers our willpower to stop ingesting the drug. Nicotine causes changes in the brain that makes people want to use it more and more, overtime they become addicted to these tobacco products.
Let us now look at what exactly Nicotine does to us.
Nicotine is known to be both a stimulant and a sedative. If you ingest nicotine, it can make you feel charged up as well as relaxed, depending on the dose. As soon as nicotine is ingested (either by smoking or by chewing), it is absorbed into your bloodstream and almost immediately it is transported to your brain. The drug then interferes with the functioning of your brain and body. By meddling with the brain's work, nicotine makes you feel good immediately after taking it and also makes you feel irritated (withdrawal) when you try to stop taking it.
The kick from smoking a cigarette is caused by the stimulation of the adrenal gland by nicotine. This stimulation results in the release of adrenaline, which leads to an increase in the heart rate, blood pressure and rate of breathing, this is the rush that you experience. Nicotine is also known to release more glucose into the blood and to stop the release of insulin, which regulates the sugar level in the blood. This means that, if you smoke, you are more likely to have higher levels of sugar in your blood than normal. This high level of sugar eventually curbs your hunger as well. Adding to all this, nicotine also stimulates the release of dopamine which induces feelings of pleasure.
You might have noticed that the kick from the cigarette doesn't last for long, and you find yourself reaching for another stick from the pack. This is because; nicotine is removed from the body quite quickly, and you keep lighting up to maintain the level of nicotine in your body. Our liver, lungs and kidneys are involved in the process of removing nicotine, and bear the brunt in the long run.
Chronic use of nicotine leads to nicotine addiction and this causes many health problems, which are worse than any of the pleasures or benefits of nicotine. For long time smokers, smoking can lead to physical disabilities and even death.
Some of the health problems associated with smoking are -
Cancer: According to some studies, the number one cancer killer of both men and women is lung cancer. Continuous smoking of cigarettes not only leads to lung cancer but also causes many other lung diseases like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It can also worsen the symptoms of asthma in both adults and children. Smoking is also associated with cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, cervix, kidney, ureter, and bladder.
High blood pressure: Nicotine in blood is known to raise the blood pressure by constricting the blood vessels. The more the nicotine in your blood, the higher is your blood pressure. This can lead to brain attacks, heart attacks, and even poor blood circulation.
Stroke: Our brains require high levels of oxygen. When we smoke cigarettes, arteries get blocked with plaque and this can block the transportation of oxygen, which eventually causes strokes.
Heart attack: Smoking causes the build up of fat and plaque thus narrowing the arteries. This can reduce the amount of oxygen-rich blood being sent to the heart and can cause extra strain on the heart. The complete blockage of one or more arteries can eventually lead to a heart attack. It is known that people who smoke a pack of cigarettes a day have more than twice the risk of heart attack than non-smokers.
Cholesterol: Cigarette smoking can reduce the good cholesterol (HDL) and increase the bad cholesterol (LDL).
Diabetes: Due to nicotine in the body, the sugar level in the bloodstream increases. This leads to a higher risk of developing diabetes.
Smoking and women: Research has shown that women who smoke attain menopause much earlier than non-smokers. They are also seen to be at a greater risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. If you are pregnant and smoke, the chances of having a premature baby or a stillborn baby is much higher, so put off that butt!
Even if you don't smoke but are closely associated with someone who smokes, it might be a good idea to encourage them to stop smoking, at least when around you, since passive smokers are also known to be affected in similar manners as smokers. Children are especially prone to respiratory infections, ear problems and severe asthma when exposed to secondhand smoke.
The good news is that if you take control and work on quitting smoking, you can greatly reduce your risk of being afflicted by any of these diseases.