What You Need to Know About Nicotine and Your Body
- S J
- Jun 3, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 7, 2024
Now we are going back to a basic thing that has been the center of many discourses: nicotine. This new trend seems to be buzzing in the vaping industry, but how does it affect the human body and the brain?
Meet Nicotine: The Primary Player
The ingredient in cigarettes that is taken specifically from the tobacco plant and which is responsible for the addictive qualities of smoking cigarettes is known as nicotine and this is the active and establishing component of cigarettes. However, in the vaping world, nicotine is not the same thing as cigarettes and other carcinogenic tobacco products. It’s the defining component—the hardened craving that we all desire.
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Alert: To select the appropriate nicotine level, users should consider their former smoking habits and whether or not they are looking to reduce—or maintain—their dose of nicotine.
Secondhand smoke health risks
Secondhand vaping happens when non-users breathe in the aerosol (frequently called fume) that e-cigarette clients breathe out. Second-hand smoke is the leading cause of heart disease and lung cancer resulting in early deaths across the globe. There is research indicating that people who inhale second-hand tobacco smoke at home or work have a 25–30 percent chance of getting heart disease, and we are also aware that smoking in front of children is not healthy since it exposes them to such raw chemicals as nicotine. It is important to note that children’s bodies and brains, which are still in the process of developing, can easily be negatively impacted by these toxins.
Alert
One pod that is used in vapes has the same amount of nicotine as 20 cigarettes.
Excessive intake of nicotine may cause the patient to have a seizure or convulsion in the worst-case scenario.
Such cases, like the reports of seizures in some young people after the use of vaping, are not exceptional.
Those mentioned above are some of the potential health risks of vaping, and to prevent them, one should be cautious of their vaping behaviors.
What does nicotine do inside our body?
Well, what does that do to our bodies when we consume the nicotine that is usually used in most e-juice vapes? But do you know what happens when this substance enters our body through breathing? Yes, nicotine gets absorbed directly into the bloodstream in the lungs and then gets to the brain. Nicotine activates dopamine, which provides the effect associated with pleasure-bringing substances. This increases dopamine activity and briefly hooks the person who is using it to nicotine, thus making it very hard for individuals on the substance to quit smoking or vaping once they are hooked. Nicotine is a toxic substance. It elevates your blood pressure and causes your adrenaline to rush – which can hearten your pulse and the risk of a stroke.
However, nicotine also affects the heart rate and blood pressure, and therefore we can get a burst of energy that resembles almost like we are on a ride at a theme park. And if we’re not careful, that ride will end up taking its toll in much worse ways as we develop heart problems and suffer from artery complications.
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Effects on the Brain
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Now, let's talk brains. To put it in simple terms, nicotine triggers a response in our brain that makes it work full steam ahead. If a button has been pressed, we get more alert, our energy levels become high, and we are fit to confront any challenge. The problem is that the more we vape, the more our brains get used to the feeling of nicotine, making us crave that quick hit even more. It is a situation where the brain has developed a kind of immunity toward the stimulation it requires and thus has to be stimulated more and more to achieve a similar level of excitement.
Our youth also should not be left behind every time we talk about vapers. If you are a teenager or in your early twenties, as most of the youth today are, then this is for you. It appears that nicotine has an interfering effect on the brain’s growing process or maturity, and some features, like attention span and impulse control, do not work the way they should.
Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms: What to Expect and How to Cope with It
Everyone is aware that nicotine is a very addictive substance, and therefore quitting is sometimes a very tough call. It is important to identify some of the most common symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and ways to cope with them.
Common nicotine withdrawal symptoms
Cravings
Anxiety
Depression
Increased Appetite
Difficulty Concentrating
Irritability and anger
Sleep Disturbances
Headaches
Tips for Coping with Nicotine Withdrawal
Eat healthy food.
Stay Hydrated
Stay active by walking or exercising.
Discuss the challenges with friends and family, or find a support group for people with similar issues.
Staying intellectually engaged means not letting your mind wander or get bored, and there are things that people love doing.
If the situation is constant and keeps causing stress and anxiety, consider practicing deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga.
Perhaps the best-known form of treatment is nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
Consult a healthcare professional.
Just remember that the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are not permanent and can be overcome with a little patience and strength. The symptoms can be hard, but they are usually at the worst within the first days to a week and begin to fade. It also entails patient perseverance in sticking to your laid-down goals, this is where you have to take things as they come, day by day.
So, where does that leave us?
Well, knowledge is power. From here, the social and health risks of vaping and the opportunities and burdens of vaping and using nicotine can be found. Therefore, we need to understand that, unlike making other people the subject of categorization, it is important to respect the decision that has been made, and on the same note, we should also ensure that one is in a position to understand the repercussions that are most likely to emanate from taking nicotine.
And if you're considering almost quitting the nicotine practice, you're not alone. There are plenty of resources and vaping support group systems out there to help you break free from the grip of nicotine addiction. Whether it's reaching out to a friend, joining a support group, or talking to a healthcare professional, there's a path to a nicotine-free life that's right for you.
References
Medically reviewed by Adithya Cattamanchi, M.D., Pulmonology — Written by Tim Jewell, November 18, 2019, "How Much Nicotine Is in a Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products?"
Hayley Prestwich-Dyer, July 6, 2023, "How many cigarettes is 20mg of nicotine equivalent to?"https://evapo.co.uk/blog/how-many-cigarettes-is-20mg-of-nicotine-equivalent-to
Eco-Vape, August 24, 2023, "The Ultimate Nic Shot Calculator Guide for New Vapers", https://www.eco-vape.co.uk/nic-shot-calculator/
Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisors, Jan 5, 2024, "How Smoking and Nicotine Damage Your Body"
Texas Department of State Health Services, "What is vaping?" https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vaping/what-is-vaping
Tobacco-Free Life, "Nicotine Side Effects",https://tobaccofreelife.org/why-quit-smoking/smoking-effects/nicotine-effects/
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