Nicotine Dependency

Many people believe that nicotine causes cancer but the fact is that it only leads to addiction. Whenever a person inhales cigarette smoke, the nicotine present in the smoke is rapidly absorbed into the blood and its affect on the brain is shown within 7 seconds. In the brain, nicotine activates the same reward system as do other drug abuse such as cocaine or amphetamine, but to a lesser extent. Nicotine acts on this reward system and is believed to be responsible for drug-induced feelings of pleasure and, over time, nicotine addiction. It also increases alertness and enhances mental performance. Studies indicate that nicotine by itself may not be harmful. However, when it is combined with other harmful substances such as areca nut, cancer causing catechu substitutes like gambier & magnesium carbonate, it may show damaging effects.

Apart from nicotine, cigarette smoke contains around 4,000 different compounds, many of which may cause cancer. In fact, tobacco smoke contains about 70 different carcinogens or cancer-causing substances. When you inhale smoke, these chemicals enter your lungs and spread around the rest of your body. Scientists have shown that these chemicals are mutagenic & can damage DNA and change expression of various genes, which may lead to cancer by making your cells proliferate and multiply uncontrollably. No wonder, smoking is the major cause of lung cancer and is also associated with the increased risk for cancer of the mouth, nasal cavities (nose), larynx (voice box), pharynx (throat), esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterine cervix, and acute myeloid leukemia.

Nicotine does provide one with a euphoric feeling every time one has it between one's lips. So, it is difficult for one to give up this extraordinary excitement or satisfaction. It is really a very tough job. It is not due to your love towards nicotine, but due to the fact that nicotine has charmed you in such a way that you fail to notice that you have become increasingly dependent on it. You have become a real addict, and nowadays you cannot imagine anything beyond these poisonous tobacco cigarette puffs. What is actually contained in those puffs of nicotine? A tobacco cigarette contains approximately 10 to 20 mg of nicotine. Out of that your body will essentially absorb only some one or two mg when you are smoking a cigarette. As you start smoking, it will result in the rapid release of adrenaline. And, as a result, you are likely to experience rapid heartbeat, heightened blood pressure, and rapid or shallow breathing. The substance called nicotine blocks the release of hormone insulin into the blood stream, and thereby the sugar level in the blood increases.

Not only does nicotine work in the body releasing dopamine, it also activates the pathways that release adrenaline and serotonin, thereby influencing impulsivity and mood. Over a period, the physical changes build a new 'neuro chemical' system, which revolves entirely around the presence of nicotine within the system. At this stage, the individual is truly addicted. Attempts to stop using nicotine at this stage or later would almost definitely result in withdrawal symptoms. The protective adjustments made by the brain would ensure that any attempt made to stop smoking would result in discomfort as the brain's circuitry senses the absence of nicotine as a cause for concern.

More than fifteen thousand Australians die due to smoking each year, and is the largest 'preventable' cause of early death and disease. The percentage of individuals aged over 14 who smoke everyday in Australia has gone down considerably, from 30.5% in 1988 down to 16.6% in 2007. Across the world, ten percent of the adult population smokes; and in the US this figure stands at 20%. In the US alone around 440,000 people, die each year because of tobacco related illnesses. Now, there are around 1.3-1.4 billion smokers in the world, with a large chunk living in developing countries. In addition, given the ongoing trends, by 2020 tobacco would account for approximately 10 million deaths each year.

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