Nicotine contained in cigarettes gives a quick fix to smokers. When smokers inhale, nicotine enters the lungs, and then moves to the brain. In the brain, nicotine helps the release of chemicals such as dopamine, which give pleasurable feelings. This increases the craving to smoke more.
As you continue to smoke more, nicotine’s effect on the brain goes down and each cigarette produces less impact. When smokers sleep, nicotine’s effect wanes on the brain, so they wake up with intense cravings for cigarettes. As a result, the day’s first cigarette gives the greatest kick.
Anti-smoking Drugs
Drugs such as varenicline (Chantix) reduce nicotine’s effect on the brain, thus lessening the satisfaction in smoking. A few other drugs are being developed that simulate nicotine’s effects, helping to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Also, a vaccine for nicotine is being tested.
Effects of Nicotine
There are other addictive features to nicotine. It stimulates pleasure and lowers anxiety and stress. Smokers use nicotine to feel arousal and it also helps to control their mood. Some smokers say smoking enhances their reaction time, concentration and the ability to perform certain tasks. Experts aver that the reason for this enhanced performance and mood, is the relief smokers feel from withdrawal symptoms.
Smoking also helps those who are depressed, or have mental illnesses and disorders due to substance abuse. Such patients probably smoke because nicotine is a type of self-medication for them. They are also less likely to stop smoking.
Smoking Withdrawal Symptoms
When regular smokers attempt to stop their habit, they experience anxiety, restlessness, depressed mood and irritability. These people opine that their life has been deprived of nicotine-induced pleasure. There are also behavioral cues that make quitting hard. These include the taste and feel of cigarettes, association of certain moods, and activities that go with smoking such as partying, drinking or just chilling out after meals. Some people even smoke while working.
Women Smokers
More than men, women smokers are strongly influenced by negative emotions and conditioned cues. Women also become more habituated to nicotine, making it extra hard for them to quit.
Smoking quitters first need to understand why they smoke, so that they can adopt relevant behavioral skills and techniques. Therefore, it is imperative for smoking cessation to be personalized according to individual needs.
