Smoking tobacco has a long list of health problems.
Besides causing health disorders of the body
smoking also affects the central nervous system.
Number of deaths caused by smoking across the globe is in millions.
What in Tobacco Affects the Brain?
Nicotine is an active drug present in tobacco.
It is a highly addictive drug, is toxic and noxious when taken in large doses.
When the smokers inhale the tobacco smoke, nicotine is spread in the
bloodstream through the lungs triggering several chemical reactions within.
The chemical reactions lead to the production of different chemicals and
activate various brain receptors which give a – feel good, sensation.
Effects of Smoking on the Brain
There are roughly around 600 chemicals present
in cigarettes, and about 100 are found to
have pharmacological effects on the human body especially the central nervous system.
Once inhaled to the lungs it takes just about 8 seconds
for the smoke from tobacco to reach the brain.
Cigarettes are stimulators to the central nervous system.
Nicotine present in the smoke affects the neurotransmitters present in our
brain – dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, norepinephrine, serotonin, etc.
Nicotine resembles the structure of acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter.
Nicotine then acts as acetylcholine and also
manipulates certain receptors thereby taking over the
control of certain receptors respiratory, muscle
movement, memory along with a few other functions.
Nicotine has a neuro-regulatory effect on the central nervous system.
With continued smoking the nicotine receptors present in the brain increase.
Those who are addicted to smoking have a huge percentage of
these receptors compared to those who don’t smoke at all.
However, this may vary for every individual.
Even an avid smoker can quit smoking if the number
of receptors present in their brain is less.
The effects of smoking are similar to the effects
that drugs like heroin or morphine have on our brain.
The layers of epinephrine and norepinephrine in increased.
Even the level of dopamine goes up.
Besides the neuroendocrine effects that take place in the brain, hormones like
arginine vasopressin, beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotropic and cortisol are released.
Some of the hormones among them are psychoactive
and cause behavioral changes in the smokers.
When the addictive smokers try to stop smoking the
pleasure response that the brain gets is cut off.
They begin to show certain signs such as
restlessness, the problem in concentration, anxiety,
depressed mood, anger, the problem in sleep, irritation, frustration, and restlessness.
Most will run out for a smoke instantly.
Soon the brain releases dopamine, and the
pleasure responses are activated once again.
The brain is soon addicted to the time or situations when you smoke routinely and
when you are in such situations it automatically sends signals for you to smoke.
For instance, if you smoke after having a coffee during a break,
you will not feel nice if you skip the smoke and go back to work.
The cravings are intense and don’t go away easily.
The cognitive and mental effects on the brain are temporary.
Replacing nicotine with nicotine patches, gums or other
replacement products can help someone quit smoking.
While the effects of smoking on the brain are
impermanent the cravings are for long, and
it has adverse effects on our body causing various health issues especially cancer.