Effects of Smoking Tobacco on the Brain
Nicotine is a drug produced by the tobacco plant to provide protection for the plant against insects. It is at its very basic an insecticide. Purely by coincidence this natural insecticide also mirrors many neurochemicals found in the human brain. This chance happening allows it to manipulate the mind into regulating body chemistry in a way no other drug can do. Although nicotine seems to be smart enough to produce pleasurable sensations in smokers, in reality, the reactions to nicotine are the body's defense mechanisms against it.
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Dopamine
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The main reason smokers feel immediate pleasure when they light up a cigarette is the release of dopamine triggered by nicotine. That is the body's pleasure reaction so smoking becomes associated with feeling good and being rewarded.
Adrenaline
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The neurochemical response of the brain to the introduction of nicotine triggers the "fight or flight" response. The body thinks it is under attack and wants to defend itself. It releases a rush of adrenaline to allow the smoker to combat the enemy. This response allows smokers to feel powerful and in control in circumstances that cause frustration or stress.
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Stress
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Ironically smoking itself causes a high level of stress. The feeling of calm associated with smoking is actually caused by relieving the stress caused by nicotine withdrawals. Just 30 minutes after smoking a cigarette nicotine levels lower far enough to cause a stress reaction in the system. Smoking and putting nicotine back in the system relieves that stress. It is a vicious circle.
Adjustments
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Over time the brain adjusts to nicotine and allows nicotine to regulate the levels of many important chemicals in the body such as dopamine, adrenaline and insulin. It turns off its natural sensitivity to those chemicals. When nicotine is removed, the body must learn to regulate all of the important mood and metabolic regulators on its own again.
Fat Burner
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Nicotine triggers the brain to release stored fat and increases the metabolism to burn calories faster. Nicotine also decreases sensitivity to caffeine.
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