Facts about Nicotine

If you are a smoker or have friends or family who smoke, it makes sense to gain an understanding of nicotine and its effects. You probably know that nicotine is the addictive chemical found in tobacco, but there’s a little more to it than that.

In this article, we will discuss the facts about nicotine in a simple-to-understand language, and you’ll learn why it is so addictive, what side effects it can bring about, and how it affects the body.

We will also look at alternatives to nicotine and how it can be used in a safe way.

What is Nicotine?

Nicotine comes from plants in the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and of course, tobacco.

Many of these plants were first discovered in the Americas, and the Native Americans were some of the first to use tobacco in their daily lives.

The tobacco plant actually gives off nicotine to deter pests and other predators, so it can be considered a natural insecticide of sorts. This might be a warning sign in itself, as nicotine is highly toxic to humans. It is an alkaloid that is colorless, odorless, and slightly bitter.

The production process of nicotine involves extracting it from the tobacco plants, then combining it with other chemicals to create a solution that can be used in products such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Effects of Nicotine

So, how does nicotine work? Studies have shown that nicotine interacts with the brain in multiple ways. For starters, it increases levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is associated with feelings of pleasure and reward. Nicotine also acts on acetylcholine receptors, which are involved in learning and memory.

Nicotine works on the brain really quickly; after only a few seconds of inhaling it, you will start feeling the effects. These effects on the brain are what makes nicotine so addictive.

And while it can produce short-term rewards in some individuals, it is ultimately important to recognize that regular use carries significant risks to overall health and well-being.

People who use nicotine also experience cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and difficulty quitting despite knowing about its health risks.

Nicotine Addiction

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance comparable to heroin and cocaine. It is the primary psychoactive ingredient in tobacco products, making them highly addictive. Long-term use of nicotine can lead to physical dependence, as well as an increased tolerance for the substance, leading to more frequent and larger doses being taken to obtain the same level of satisfaction or high.

As we discussed, regarding how it works on the brain, nicotine interacts with the reward pathways in our brains, releasing dopamine and other feel-good chemicals.

When it comes to trying to quit, nicotine dependence is considered one of the most difficult addictions to overcome because it can cause intense cravings even after long periods of abstinence.

Still, nicotine use and smoking cessation isn’t an impossible goal, and many people have successfully quit. And the feeling of empowerment from achieving a smoke-free life can often lead to individuals feeling more confident and in control of their lives.

Is Nicotine Bad for Your Health?

You might have heard the controversial arguments about the health benefits of nicotine, but this is not what experts are saying. Nicotine is an addictive substance and can cause serious health problems if consumed in large amounts or for a sustained period of time.

While nicotine use may have some benefits in the short-term, such as improving focus and alertness, these are far outweighed by the potential harms.

Most people are aware of the health risks of tobacco smoke and the cancer-causing chemicals that are released from cigarettes. However, many people are unaware of the potential risks associated with nicotine use alone.

These side effects can include:

• Increased blood pressure
• An increased risk of heart attack and stroke
• A heightened risk of blood clotting
• Sleep disorders
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dizziness

For young people, nicotine can be even more dangerous, causing early addiction and affecting the developing brain.

Cigarette Smoking and Nicotine

Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, some of which are toxic and carcinogenic.

And while this cocktail of toxins makes cigarette smoke so hazardous to our health, it’s the nicotine that enables the addiction.

When tobacco companies first realized how this heady concoction of chemicals made cigarettes so addictive, they began to increase nicotine levels in their products. Once addicted, even understanding the health consequences, smokers were unable to quit.

These health risks include cancers, heart disease, stroke, respiratory diseases, and a variety of other illnesses and conditions leading to a poorer quality of life and, in many cases, death.

Tobacco use isn’t just harmful to the individual, though; secondhand smoke can cause health issues for those around you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that close to 34,000 premature deaths from heart disease in the USA alone can be attributed to secondhand smoke.

Are E-cigarettes a Safer Choice?

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems has rapidly become the most controversial tobacco products to hit the market in recent years. Over the past decade, millions of adults worldwide have decided to switch from regular cigarettes to electronic cigarettes, as many perceived them to be a much safer option.

However, there is still much debate and disagreement on whether this is indeed the case. E-cigarette use among young adults has grown substantially in recent years.

As reported in the National Youth Tobacco Survey, over 2 million middle and high school students in the United States were using e-cigarettes in 2021.

This has caused alarm bells to ring as health experts are concerned that these vaping products do not offer sufficient protection against nicotine addiction and disease, contrary to what manufacturers have suggested.

In fact, some vape cartridges have higher concentrations of nicotine than traditional cigarettes, and by increasing the voltage of the device, users can increase the amount of nicotine they inhale even further.

So while it’s true that smoking e-cigarettes or using vaping devices doesn’t release the same amount of toxic chemicals as when smoking cigarettes, nicotine exposure still poses a risk to your health.

What Other Options Do You Have

It’s not all doom and gloom; alternatives are available to help you break the habit.

Nicotine Replacement Therapies

Nicotine replacement products provide safe and accessible tools for managing nicotine cravings and promoting healthy habits for those who are trying to quit. Nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and lozenges are common forms of nicotine replacement therapy.

They work by delivering small amounts of nicotine into the body without any harmful compounds typically associated with smoking cigarettes.

Your doctor can also prescribe medications such as bupropion or varenicline to aid in smoking cessation.

Some people still feel the need to hold something in their hands or mouths when they quit smoking.

Heated smokeless tobacco products, such as heat-not-burn cigarettes and pipes, have become an alternative option. They generally contain lower levels of nicotine than traditional cigarettes and are thought to emit fewer toxins and other pollutants when compared to combustible cigarette smoke.

But they still contain tobacco, and there is not yet enough evidence to confirm that they are a safe option for those looking to quit smoking.

And this is where one of the most significant innovations in heat-not-burn products in recent years comes in — NEAFS Sticks.

NEAFS Tobacco-Free Sticks

NEAFS Tobacco-Free Sticks are a great alternative to other tobacco or nicotine replacement products. These sticks are 100% nicotine free and made with high-quality tea leaves instead of tobacco. They come in various fun flavors, including original, menthol, Mojito, and blueberry.

Make NEAFS part of your quitting journey and reap the rewards of a tobacco-free lifestyle.

Withdrawal Symptoms Associated with Quitting Nicotine

While it only takes a short time frame to become physically dependent on nicotine, it can take considerably longer to quit. Quitting smoking or vaping is not easy; it could take persistent attempts, and a great deal of willpower will be required.

Everyone reacts differently when quitting smoking but expect:

• Anxiety or restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Increase in appetite
• Irritability or anger
• Headaches and trouble sleeping
• Depressed mood
• Cravings for nicotine

While unpleasant, these symptoms will usually peak after two to three weeks. Keeping busy with activities that distract from the cravings can help you through this period.

In Summary

So it’s clear to say nicotine is no friend! The sooner you quit smoking or remove products that contain nicotine from your life, the better. We know that’s easier said than done!

That’s why we have created two types of NEAF sticks, one that is nicotine free and the other with just 1.5% nicotine, so that you can slowly wean yourself slowly off the substance smoke-free.

FAQs

How much nicotine is contained within smoke cigarettes?

It varies depending on the type of product used, but it can range from 8mg to 20mg per cigarette. This means that just one cigarette can provide a hefty dose of nicotine to your body.

How much nicotine is in cigars?

Cigars usually contain much higher levels of nicotine than cigarettes. In some cases, a single cigar can equate to smoking a pack of cigarettes. The amount of nicotine in a cigar can vary widely depending on the size, shape, and type of tobacco used.