Why Is Smoking Addictive?

Why Is Smoking Addictive?

Smoking cigarettes is difficult to stop because it requires quitting both a physical addiction and psychological habit. Cigarettes contain nicotine, an addictive chemical compound that speeds up brain activity and leads to the release of dopamine in the brain. Cutting back on nicotine or stopping smoking can cause side effects such as cravings, cough, headaches, and nausea. In this article, we answer the questions why is smoking addictive and why is it hard to stop? We also discuss nicotine withdrawal side effects and how to stop smoking.

What is Nicotine? 

Nicotine is a chemical compound that speeds up messages and activity between the brain and the body. Repetitive nicotine use can lead to addiction and cause serious health problems including increased blood pressure and heart attacks. 

Why Is Nicotine So Addictive? 

Nicotine causes the release of dopamine within the brain, a chemical which produces a good, desirable feeling. Over time, the brain begins to crave that feeling from nicotine, which causes people to smoke much more often.

Why is Smoking Addictive? 

Smoking cigarettes involves the consumption of a stimulant drug known as nicotine. Consuming nicotine through cigarettes leads to the release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter produced by the brain, acts as a messenger between neurons. When dopamine is released, it creates positive sensations throughout the body. 

In those who smoke often and for extended periods of time, receptors in the brain become dependent on nicotine to activate. When the receptors receive nicotine from cigarettes, a chemical called dopamine is released. This effect, however, does not usually last long. Eventually, the nicotine fades and the receptors are left wanting more dopamine. This cyclical process of nicotine consumption is a key component in smoking addiction. 

Why is it Hard to Stop Smoking? 

When you smoke cigarettes often enough, your body and brain become dependent upon the nicotine they contain. Nicotine releases dopamine within the brain, a chemical that causes feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. One of the most difficult parts of quitting smoking is withdrawal. The severity of withdrawal from smoking cigarettes varies for every person, but serious withdrawal symptoms can include headaches, anxiety, depression, sweating, and intense, sometimes uncontrollable, cravings. 

Quitting smoking can also be difficult because certain places, people, and things can become linked to smoking. These associations are commonly known as triggers. Over time, the body and mind associate these triggers with smoking and the dopamine-induced pleasure of smoking. Anticipating and working to avoid emotional, physical, or patterns of triggers can be a key step in quitting smoking. 

How Does Nicotine Withdrawal Work? 

Nicotine withdrawal is the physical and psychological side effects of nicotine leaving the body. When you use products which contain nicotine, your brain and body slowly become addicted to the nicotine. Once the body no longer receives any nicotine, the lack of it can cause uncomfortable and serious symptoms. 

Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal usually begin a few hours after the last dose of nicotine enters the bloodstream. Symptoms peak in intensity two to three days later and can last up to several weeks.  

Nicotine Withdrawal Side Effects

Sudden quitting of smoking often leads to nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine affects many areas and aspects of the body, including blood vessels, metabolism, hormone levels, brain activity, and brain condition. Nicotine withdrawal can come with physical and mental side effects.

Physical Side Effects of Nicotine Withdrawal 

Quitting smoking can result in many physical side effects including changes in appetite, increased food cravings, headaches and fatigue. Withdrawal symptoms and their severity can depend on a variety of factors including how long you have smoked for, how often you smoke, and smoking volume, or number of packs smoked per day. 

Physical side effects of nicotine withdrawal include: 

  • Changes in appetite
  • Cravings
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Constipation 

Mental Side Effects of Nicotine Withdrawal  

In addition to being physically addictive, nicotine and smoking is also a mentally addictive activity. Quitting smoking can result in changes in mood, feelings of anxiety and depression, and difficulty concentrating. Similar to physical side effects, mental side effects of nicotine withdrawal may vary in severity and frequency. 

Mental side effects of nicotine withdrawal may include: 

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Irritability 
  • Mental Fog 

How to Stop Smoking

While some smokers are able to successfully quit by immediately stopping all use of tobacco products, a process known as going “cold turkey,” a personalized, gradual plan is more effective for the majority of smokers. There are many paths to quitting smoking. The following programs, habits, and practices may be effective in helping to quit smoking. 

Consider Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy can help with withdrawal symptoms and cravings which can make quitting smoking very difficult. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the use of five forms of nicotine replacement therapy. These include patches, gum, nasal spray, inhalers, and lozenges. 

Nicotine Patches

Nicotine patches can be helpful in weaning patients off a dependence on nicotine. They are available in different types and strengths, and can be purchased with or without a prescription. Nicotine patches come as full strength patches (15-22mg of nicotine) and weaker patches (5-14mg of nicotine).  

Nicotine Gum

Nicotine gum is an effective and rapid form of nicotine replacement. Nicotine gum can be bought over the counter and comes at varying strengths. It is designed to be chewed differently than regular gum. To use nicotine gum effectively, chew it occasionally for 20 to 30 minutes. Chew no more than 24 pieces of gum in a day for no more than 6 months. 

Nicotine Nasal Spray 

Nicotine nasal spray delivers nicotine to the bloodstream quicker than other methods. It is available only by prescription and can rapidly relieve withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine nasal spray should be used at 1-2 doses per hour with a total of no more than 40 doses per day. Each dose consists of two sprays, one per nostril. 

Try Prescription Pills and Medications 

Certain medications can stop cravings and make smoking less satisfying and appealing. Other drugs can help mitigate withdrawal symptoms. Bupropion is a prescription medication that can be very helpful in reducing symptoms of smoking withdrawal. 

Why Is Smoking Addictive? Summary

Smoking is an addictive activity that can create a reliance on nicotine, a chemical compound that speeds up brain activity and releases dopamine. Cutting back on nicotine or stopping smoking can cause side effects such as cravings, cough, headaches, and nausea.

There are many pathways to healing a nicotine addiction including therapy, nicotine patches, nicotine nasal spray, and prescription medications such as bupropion. 

Buprorpion is available at Cloud9 Healthcare today! Click here to start your online visit and, if you are approved, you will receive your buproprion in 2-3 days. 

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