Nicotine facts

[mightymen]

Nicotine use can have many different effects on body functions, both positive and negative. Nicotine acts as both a stimulant and depressant on your body. The use of nicotine:

• Decreases the appetite (for this reason, the fear of weight gain affects some people's willingness to stop smoking).
• Boosts mood and may even relieve minor depression. Many people will feel a sense of well-being.
• Raises the blood level of blood sugar (glucose) and increases insulin production.
• Increases bowel activity, saliva, and phlegm.
• Increases heart rate by around 10 to 20 beats per minute.
• Increases blood pressure by 5 to 10 mmHg (because it tightens the blood vessels).
• May cause sweating, nausea, and .........
• Stimulates memory and alertness. People who use tobacco often depend on it to help them accomplish certain tasks and perform well.

Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal generally start within 2 - 3 hours after the last tobacco use, and will peak about 2 - 3 days later. Symptoms may be severe, depending on how long you smoked and how many cigarettes you smoked each day. Common symptoms include:

• An intense craving for nicotine
• Anxiety, tension, restlessness, frustration, or impatience
• Difficulty concentrating
• Drowsiness or trouble sleeping, as well as bad dreams and nightmares
• Headaches
• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Irritability or depression

A milder form of nicotine withdrawal that involves some or all of these symptoms can occur when a smoker switches from regular to low-nicotine cigarettes or significantly cuts down on the number of cigarettes smoked.
Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal can mimic, disguise, or worsen the symptoms of other psychiatric problems.

Taken from Nicotine addiction and withdrawal: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

 

[Caridwen]

Moved to health- safety & e-smoking