Does Nicotine Get You High?

If you were to rifle through the pockets of a stereotypically hedonistic rock and roll star – in the hope of finding forbidden substances of the mind-altering kind – it is extremely unlikely you will find a baggie of nicotine, ready to whip out when an out-of-body experience is desired. 

To use less dramatic words, nicotine is not a substance usually associated with getting high, and no one ever buys it for that purpose. However, this seemingly mild chemical is the chief instigator behind one of the most addictive habits known to humankind: smoking.  

Addiction Does Not Always Equal High

There is a common confusion around the notion of ‘getting high’ and ‘addiction,’ with many assuming those two things are mutually exclusive. The presumption is that nicotine probably involves a high of some description because it is addictive – and anything addictive is usually fueled by a reward of some kind.

But does nicotine get you high? Not really. Or at least, not in the way other substances do, although it does offer a feeling that is desirable to many: a fleeting sense of pleasure and focus. 

Either way, It really depends on your definition of the word high. The answer is nuanced, and this short blog post will explain it from all angles. But first, let’s address an important facet of nicotine ingestion: the human brain.

How Nicotine Affects the Brain

Nicotine powers through your bloodstream and reaches your brain within mere seconds of inhalation or ingestion. On its arrival, it triggers the release of dopamine, that much sought-after neurotransmitter linked to feelings of pleasure and reward. 

This sudden extra dopamine boost is responsible for the brief “kick,” or nicotine rush that some people often experience. Each and every hit of nicotine leads to what could be described as a mild buzz. However, the longer you have been ingesting nicotine, the less intense the buzz becomes. 

Again, the sensation is fleeting, at best. Unlike more well-known psychoactive drugs, nicotine does not create a traditional high in the real sense of the word. Instead, it provides a mild stimulant effect, somewhat similar in nature to a caffeine rush. 

In short, nicotine users might feel more focused or alert but not in the least bit euphoric. 

How Does It Compare to Other Drugs?

When considering does nicotine get you high, it helps if we compare it with other substances. Drugs like cannabis or alcohol, for example, greatly alter your state of mind, often causing disorientation, relaxation, or euphoria. Drugs like cocaine give you a rush of energy and heightened confidence, while the likes of LCD and ‘magic mushrooms’ pretty much transport you to another planet entirely.

Nicotine does not create those drastic effects on any discernible level. Not even remotely. However, some users often mistake the quick hits they get from nicotine for a ‘mild high’ because of how nicotine interacts with our dopamine system.

Interestingly, you could argue that nicotine is the antithesis of getting high, as

research shows that nicotine can actually reduce the effects of some drugs. For example, when smoked alongside cannabis, nicotine may reduce the impairment of working memory caused by THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana. 

This demonstrates that while nicotine does affect the brain, those effects are way different from those associated with garden variety drug highs.

Short-Term Effects on the Body

That’s not to suggest nicotine only affects the brain; it has a number of effects on the body, also. 

Almost immediately after consumption, your heart rate and blood pressure rise, breathing becomes faster, and the adrenaline rush gives you a sense of temporary alertness in a way that might be described as feeling ‘switched on.’ However, describing that same feeling as ‘high’ would be a gross exaggeration.

This probably explains why many people reach for a cigarette when they need a quick pick-me-up or a jolt of extra awareness. By the same token, this short-term boost comes at a cost – as soon as the effects wear off, many users often experience awkward feelings of craving and irritability, which fuels the need for another dose of nicotine.

Can Nicotine Be Beneficial?

While nicotine has long been associated with addiction – especially in the context of cigarettes and the brutal endeavour of quitting smoking – further studies suggest there may be potential benefits when used in moderation and isolated from harmful chemicals found in cigarettes. 

Research has also explored nicotine’s effects on cognitive functions like memory and attention, with some studies pointing to its potential in slowing the progression of diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Essentially, if we were to round things up and answer the question, does nicotine get you high more definitively, we would have to say it most certainly does not. At best, you might describe the feeling as a very mild buzz. However, it might help with brain functions when you need a lift, similar to caffeine. 

Is Nicotine Addiction Bad?

Most of the harm linked to nicotine comes from the delivery systems, such as cigarettes, and not the actual nicotine. With over seven thousand chemicals in each puff, cigarette smoking is a notoriously awful addiction that exposes smokers to a huge number of ghastly diseases and conditions. 

Ultimately, if it is nicotine you seek, there is simply no credible excuse to smoke cigarettes anymore. There are plenty of good smoking alternatives available that provide nicotine without the dangerous consequences of traditional smoking, such as disease, foul-smelling clothes, and even stained teeth. 

There Is a Better Way

If you’re looking for a cleaner, healthier way to enjoy nicotine, NEAFS delivers a much brighter, cleaner, healthier alternative. 

NEAFS uses technology that heats (and not burns) our special cellulose blend instead of tobacco. This means you can still experience a nicotine hit while avoiding harmful substances like tar and smoke.

NEAFS products are available in both nicotine and nicotine-free options, giving you full and total control over your nicotine intake while completely dodging the harmful effects of traditional smoking. 

Bottom Line

So, does nicotine get you high? Not quite, but it does deliver a brief sense of pleasure and focus that some may mistake for a mild high. 

If you’re looking to manage your nicotine intake in a healthier way, we urge you to consider switching to NEAFS, where you can enjoy the experience without the harmful consequences of smoking. 

Ready to make the switch? Check out NEAFS’ nicotine and nicotine-free options today, and don’t forget to check out our incredible new range of light pouches, currently going down a storm with our happy, healthier, wealthier legion of customers.