Addicted to cigarettes

• April 25, 2024

A person becomes addicted to the cigarettes due to the rapid action of nicotine in the centers of pleasure of the brain . When you smoke a cigarette, the nicotine enters the bloodstream and in 15 to 20 seconds begins to work in the brain.

The nicotine it binds to the acetylcholine receptors, which is a neurotransmitter. This causes a change in the cell walls that allow the calcium or sodium ions to enter the cell and cause the cells to neurotransmitters of the brain are released. These affect the mood and behavior. The dopamine It produces sensations of pleasure and enjoyment. Serotonin helps moderate mood and controls appetite. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) produces a calming effect that reduces anxiety

Smoking is an artificial medium that causes a sensation of pleasure , tranquility and a moderation of your mood. Because of these positive effects and the speed with which they are associated with nicotine consumption, smoking is highly addictive.

An occasional or social smoker may start using the cigarettes as a means to cope with the stresses of everyday life and can change from social smoker to smoker habitual. Once you start smoking several cigarettes a day, nicotine stimulates constantly brain, 24 hours a day and makes him psychologically addicted to the positive effects of nicotine.

After smoking for several years, a transition begins in the mechanism of addiction: the brain becomes accustomed to the presence of nicotine and it is physically modified by increasing the concentration of it and each time requires a greater amount to function properly. That is, the brain becomes dependent on nicotine for normal functions, which produces tolerance to nicotine.

Withdrawal symptoms

When the brain is unable to obtain the necessary amount of nicotine , experience withdrawal symptoms, including irritability, restlessness, difficulty getting along with family and friends, insomnia, anxiety, depression , hunger, difficulty concentrating and lethargy.

Half of the nicotine in the body is metabolized and discarded every 2 hours. As the level of nicotine decreases, the Withdrawal symptoms appear and the only way to relieve them is with another dose of nicotine. Now smoke, not for pleasure, but to eliminate the symptoms of abstinence.

Like any addict, the smoker often needs his first dose of nicotine as soon as possible. Many smokers light their first cigar, within 5 minutes after waking up.

Throughout the day, they need additional doses of nicotine, usually every couple of hours and are often willing to leave the comfort and face the cold, rain or suffocating heat to get the next dose of nicotine. When this happens, they are definitely in the Second stage of addiction to nicotine.

In general, smoking begins as a psychological addiction to the positive effects of nicotine in the brain. But, because the brain it adapts to nicotine, smoking addiction becomes a means to prevent the negative effects of withdrawal syndrome.