Kristin (et al) -
Originally Posted by SmokeyJoe
Masterful, Kristin.
One suggestion (and I'm sure you know this stuff already), but there is some suggestion that the addiction to nicotine in
tobacco is to some degree or other accentuated by a "coupling" effect with other chemicals.
I'll try to find the original research.
SJ
Sounds like material for a future article, SJ!
~~~
I am a little bit concerned about how such an article would come across and feel it might be detrimental to our interests.
In short, the effect of nicotine is bolstered by other alkoloids in tobacco to not only boost the effect, but create an additional relaxation mode, whereas nicotine alone tends to be just stimulating. It is this combination that makes smoking (and potentially e-liquids too) so 'effective' (but also more 'addictive').
If the article says these facts, it could well lead to e-liquid being prohibited from being anything other than nicotine only. But depriving smokers the most effective reduced harm alternative would be a public health disaster.
We are so close to an e-liquid that solves the 'something missing' that causes some to return to analogs. It is still a highly purified extract that leaves behind nearly all the harmful constituents of tobacco, but one that will work for more people. Better still, early tests show that because it is more satisfying, people actually consume less. So it really is a healthier option.
But some detractors would get stuck on the 'addictive' angle, which actually is not that important given that
vaping is barely harmful at all.
~~
These other alkaloids have MAOI activity (are MAO inhibitors); MAO enzymes sweep up dopamine while MAOIs inhibit that sweeping up; one of the many balanced processes in the body. Nicotine plus MAOIs allow a temporary boost of dopamine to a level that switches on a calming, sense of well being, so that one can feel both alert yet relaxed. This is an accurate mini description, though of course, rather simplified.