Active Low-Carber Forums
Atkins diet and low carb discussion provided free for information only, not as medical advice.
Home Plans Tips Recipes Tools Stories Studies Products
Active Low-Carber Forums
A sugar-free zone


Welcome to the Active Low-Carber Forums.
Support for Atkins diet, Protein Power, Neanderthin (Paleo Diet), CAD/CALP, Dr. Bernstein Diabetes Solution and any other healthy low-carb diet or plan, all are welcome in our lowcarb community. Forget starvation and fad diets -- join the healthy eating crowd! You may register by clicking here, it's free!

Go Back   Active Low-Carber Forums > Main Low-Carb Diets Forums & Support > Low-Carb Support Focus Groups > Kick Nicotine Club
User Name
Password
FAQ Members Calendar Mark Forums Read Search Gallery My P.L.A.N. Survey


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   ^
Old Thu, May-31-07, 07:29
Demi's Avatar
Demi Demi is offline
Posts: 26,664
 
Plan: Muscle Centric
Stats: 238/153/160 Female 5'10"
BF:
Progress: 109%
Location: UK
Default Why nicotine stimulates the brain and is hard to give up

The Independent
London, UK
31 May, 2007


Why nicotine stimulates the brain and is hard to give up

Nicotine is highly addictive and fulfils both the physiological and psychological measures of addictiveness - it causes compulsive behaviour and it directly affects the brain's reward pathways.

It is a relatively simple molecule that easily passes into the bloodstream. From there nicotine crosses the important membranes that separate the blood from the brain and can take less than seven seconds to reach the brain from the lungs.

Once in the brain, nicotine stimulates certain nerve cells that bring about an apparent state of heightened awareness. Smokers say that nicotine improves their reaction time and ability to pay attention.

The chemical also stimulates the release - or inhibits the degradation - of an important neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine which is part of the body's "reward system". These reward pathways are believed to reinforce behaviours that are good for survival - from eating to sex - making you feel happy and at peace.

The involvement of nicotine in dopamine levels is almost certainly the root cause of its extreme addictiveness. Other animals, from mice to gorillas, can get addicted to nicotine, indicating that it generates a fundamental stimulation of this vital reward system.

Nicotine may also increase levels of endorphins - natural painkillers - and glutamate, which is part of the memory system. Taken altogether, nicotine stimulates feelings of craving and well being that are remembered each time a cigarette is smoked or even seen by an addicted person.

One of the features of nicotine is that the body can get accustomed to it as the brain tries to compensate for the overproduction of dopamine. This means that greater amounts of nicotine are needed to produce the same levels of euphoria.

The chemical also stimulates other parts of the body, notably the release of the hormone adrenaline, which increases heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate. Levels of glucose in the blood can also increase as a result of smoking, raising perceived energy levels.

Some scientists believe that nicotine is as addictive as heroin. However, nicotine withdrawal is relatively mild compared to the effects of stopping heroin abuse.

Less than 10 per cent of people in any one year who try to give up smoking succeed. Experts say that the best measure against nicotine addiction is preventing the young from smoking. Once addicted to nicotine, it is difficult but not impossible to stop.


http://news.independent.co.uk/health/article2600256.ece
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:27.


Copyright © 2000-2024 Active Low-Carber Forums @ forum.lowcarber.org
Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.