Nicotine
Substance
Nicotine
Nicotine [1] is a psychoactive alkaloid and occurs in synthetic form or in varying amounts in tobacco leaves. These contain over 4000 constituents; besides the main active ingredient nicotine, these include tar (which provides the flavor), carbon monoxide, benzene, cadmium, nitrosamines, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen, hydrogen cyanide, etc. Further substances are usually added to processed tobacco products.
group
Stimulants
Forms of appearance
Tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco (snus), heated tobacco products (IQOS)). Synthetic: liquid for e-cigarettes (usually in cartridge form).
Consumption patterns
Tobacco is usually smoked, less often snuffed or chewed. Nicotine is vaporized in e-cigarettes. Never eat tobacco or nicotine!
dosage
The dose varies depending on the individual and the method of consumption; 0.2–2 mg of nicotine. The lethal dose of nicotine is approximately 60 mg for adults, and significantly lower for children and adolescents.
Effect
Nicotine stimulates the release of numerous neurotransmitters and hormones, including acetylcholine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, arginine vasopressin, serotonin, dopamine, and β-endorphin, which are responsible for the majority of its psychoactive effects. [1]
Nicotine has a stimulating effect (and increases concentration), and at higher doses it also has a calming and muscle-relaxing effect; it reduces feelings of hunger, anxiety and aggression and can produce mild euphoria.
Onset of action
Nicotine is released immediately upon lighting the cigarette. Bound to tar particles, it first enters the lungs and from there the bloodstream. After 7 to 60 seconds, the nicotine molecules reach the brain.
Duration of effect
10–30 min.
Aftereffects
1–3 hours
Risks and side effects
Accelerated heartbeat, constriction of peripheral blood vessels, reduced blood oxygen levels. When smoked as tobacco: headaches, impaired sense of smell and taste. With regular use: increased blood pressure and heart rate, increased release of adrenaline and heightened gastrointestinal activity, appetite suppression. Mostly with first-time or infrequent use: decreased body temperature, nausea and/or vomiting, and dizziness.
Long-term risks
Both the accompanying substances in tobacco smoke and the combustion process are primarily responsible for the well-known health consequences of smoking – including an increased risk of heart and lung diseases (asthma, chronic bronchitis, COPD, heart attack, stroke, thrombosis, lung cancer), damage to the stomach lining (risk of stomach ulcers).
Nicotine is among the substances with the highest potential for addiction, causing both physical and psychological symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms include depression, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and (in the long term, with abstinence) weight gain.
Taking medication (e.g., birth control pills) in combination with high tobacco consumption impairs blood circulation (risk of thrombosis!).
Safer Use
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Consume nicotine only irregularly; several days of breaks should follow each use.
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Taking breaks in the fresh air reduces the risk of headaches.
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Vaporizing nicotine is less harmful to health than burning it.
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People with cardiovascular problems, lung and respiratory problems (asthma, chronic bronchitis) should not consume tobacco.
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Do not smoke when other people, especially children, are present – ​​secondhand smoke is harmful!