First of all, I should say that the biochemistry is complex so any discussion involves a certain level of over-simplification.
Melatonin and Histamine
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) and Histamine are important regulators of the sleep cycle (among other things), critical for well-being. It is quite possible that the MAOI effects of particular alkaloids in tobacco / WTA have their appreciated effects mediated by these amine neurotransmitters / hormones. There is much scope for research here. (ps: histamine plays a role in regulating physiological function in the gut - not a pun really Kurt, the gut is arguably the foundation for good health.)
A little 'big idea'
I have been nudging the idea that nicotine is on the stimulatory side in terms of its overall effect (noted though the idea that this may be dose dependent and will look into it). Now I wish to suggest that we look at the bigger, whole-body picture and consider that full-spectrum alkaloids might be important (desirable) for balanced effects on the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems - 'rest and digest (relaxed)' and 'alert and able' (fight or flight at the extreme).
Relaxed and alert
Stress/anxiety is a major condition for desiring a smoke - so relaxation is definitely one of the desired, and actual, effects of smoking (and, conversely, withdrawal can raise anxiety - a key withdrawal symptom).
Smoking produces the seemingly contradictory (and highly desirable) state of both alertness and calmness.
It is certainly not possible to pin simple labels like 'relaxing' and stimulating' on particular alkaloids, or even neurotransmitters, (as one can more easily do for say alcohol and caffeine) because the system in a complex interactive one. Subjectively though, there are two broadly felt effects - relaxation and stimulation. Here, I wish to ponder the relaxation side.
In part, nicotine acts similarly to adrenaline (sympathetic system), with effects on both mind and body. The heart beats faster and blood pressure increases; one feels more alert and can think faster; a result not just of increased blood flow but also increased neurotransmitter activity.
There has been some thinking out loud about what the other alkaloids, and nicotine too to some extent, provide in terms of the relaxtion side of physiological effects. While dopamine does indeed provide a sense of well-being, and nicotine raises dopamine levels and MAOI alkaloids can help boost levels further, there might well be more to relaxation effects than this.
Endorphins
The literature on endorphin release through smoking goes back decades (but is pretty thin). This is one of the possible pathways for the relaxing effect of smoking / WTA - relaxation mediated by the release of endorphins (MAOIs being involved indirectly).
Endorphins are polypeptides that interestingly are endogenous (normally in the body) opioids (bind with the various opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract), that once released act like opiates such as morphine. The term endorphin is a contraction of endogenous and morphine-like; it describes any chemical with this pharmacological effect. Besides pain relief*, including 'high intensity exercise buzz' (pain control for extreme exertion), are associated with the natural high of orgasm and an effect a little like tranquilisers (tobacco as nature's vallium); also, a subtle aphrodisiac. Natural opiates are alkaloids; hence there might be actual opiates in tobacco besides activity to release endogenous ones.
Chocolate** can stimulate the release of endorphins; this amazing substance made from the beans of Theobroma Cacao also contains tryptophan (an essential amino acid that is the rate-limiting step in the production of the mood-modulating neurotransmitter serotonin, which tends to diminish anxiety), anandamide (an endogenous cannabinoid), beta-carbolines (psychoactive alkaloids) and phenylethylamine (amphetamine-like, releases dopamine in the meso-limbic pleasure-centres of the brain).
Particular alkaloids can produce a calming effect by triggering the release beta-endorphins. Thus both the dopamine and opiod systems, and how they interact, are likely important to the overall effects of tobacco / WTA.
Falling in love
Finally, and this might not be as daft as it sounds at first: I've heard endorphins described as giving a feeling akin to 'being in love'; seems to me that 'falling in love' is like an 'imprinting' whereby an endorphin rush can be strongly associated in memory with the focus of attention at the time. One remembers the ducks who will follow their 'mother' as the first living thing they see on being hatched, even if that is a human (no endorphins here (?) but the classical example of imprinting); so might the particularly strong buzzz of one's first smokes create an endorphin rush so strong that it creates a life-long love affair for the alkaloid mix (and behavioural cues) that aroused it ...
In saying this, I mean that it is not so much how smoking/vaping made you feel yesterday that keeps one smoking, but the memory of that first 'kiss'.
~~~
Btw, the way I see it, that understanding the biochemical effects of smoking has been slow is partly due to the false equation of smoking with nicotine; ignoring the other alkaloids.
* Interestingly, capsaicum can release endorphins too, perhaps via pain response.
** Interestingly, chocolate imbibers are longer lived, partly due to the copious polyphenol content that reduces the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins.
@ Article by permission of the author (kinabaloo) and Vaping Buzzz
Melatonin and Histamine
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) and Histamine are important regulators of the sleep cycle (among other things), critical for well-being. It is quite possible that the MAOI effects of particular alkaloids in tobacco / WTA have their appreciated effects mediated by these amine neurotransmitters / hormones. There is much scope for research here. (ps: histamine plays a role in regulating physiological function in the gut - not a pun really Kurt, the gut is arguably the foundation for good health.)
A little 'big idea'
I have been nudging the idea that nicotine is on the stimulatory side in terms of its overall effect (noted though the idea that this may be dose dependent and will look into it). Now I wish to suggest that we look at the bigger, whole-body picture and consider that full-spectrum alkaloids might be important (desirable) for balanced effects on the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems - 'rest and digest (relaxed)' and 'alert and able' (fight or flight at the extreme).
Relaxed and alert
Stress/anxiety is a major condition for desiring a smoke - so relaxation is definitely one of the desired, and actual, effects of smoking (and, conversely, withdrawal can raise anxiety - a key withdrawal symptom).
Smoking produces the seemingly contradictory (and highly desirable) state of both alertness and calmness.
It is certainly not possible to pin simple labels like 'relaxing' and stimulating' on particular alkaloids, or even neurotransmitters, (as one can more easily do for say alcohol and caffeine) because the system in a complex interactive one. Subjectively though, there are two broadly felt effects - relaxation and stimulation. Here, I wish to ponder the relaxation side.
In part, nicotine acts similarly to adrenaline (sympathetic system), with effects on both mind and body. The heart beats faster and blood pressure increases; one feels more alert and can think faster; a result not just of increased blood flow but also increased neurotransmitter activity.
There has been some thinking out loud about what the other alkaloids, and nicotine too to some extent, provide in terms of the relaxtion side of physiological effects. While dopamine does indeed provide a sense of well-being, and nicotine raises dopamine levels and MAOI alkaloids can help boost levels further, there might well be more to relaxation effects than this.
Endorphins
The literature on endorphin release through smoking goes back decades (but is pretty thin). This is one of the possible pathways for the relaxing effect of smoking / WTA - relaxation mediated by the release of endorphins (MAOIs being involved indirectly).
Endorphins are polypeptides that interestingly are endogenous (normally in the body) opioids (bind with the various opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract), that once released act like opiates such as morphine. The term endorphin is a contraction of endogenous and morphine-like; it describes any chemical with this pharmacological effect. Besides pain relief*, including 'high intensity exercise buzz' (pain control for extreme exertion), are associated with the natural high of orgasm and an effect a little like tranquilisers (tobacco as nature's vallium); also, a subtle aphrodisiac. Natural opiates are alkaloids; hence there might be actual opiates in tobacco besides activity to release endogenous ones.
Chocolate** can stimulate the release of endorphins; this amazing substance made from the beans of Theobroma Cacao also contains tryptophan (an essential amino acid that is the rate-limiting step in the production of the mood-modulating neurotransmitter serotonin, which tends to diminish anxiety), anandamide (an endogenous cannabinoid), beta-carbolines (psychoactive alkaloids) and phenylethylamine (amphetamine-like, releases dopamine in the meso-limbic pleasure-centres of the brain).
Particular alkaloids can produce a calming effect by triggering the release beta-endorphins. Thus both the dopamine and opiod systems, and how they interact, are likely important to the overall effects of tobacco / WTA.
Falling in love
Finally, and this might not be as daft as it sounds at first: I've heard endorphins described as giving a feeling akin to 'being in love'; seems to me that 'falling in love' is like an 'imprinting' whereby an endorphin rush can be strongly associated in memory with the focus of attention at the time. One remembers the ducks who will follow their 'mother' as the first living thing they see on being hatched, even if that is a human (no endorphins here (?) but the classical example of imprinting); so might the particularly strong buzzz of one's first smokes create an endorphin rush so strong that it creates a life-long love affair for the alkaloid mix (and behavioural cues) that aroused it ...
In saying this, I mean that it is not so much how smoking/vaping made you feel yesterday that keeps one smoking, but the memory of that first 'kiss'.
~~~
Btw, the way I see it, that understanding the biochemical effects of smoking has been slow is partly due to the false equation of smoking with nicotine; ignoring the other alkaloids.
* Interestingly, capsaicum can release endorphins too, perhaps via pain response.
** Interestingly, chocolate imbibers are longer lived, partly due to the copious polyphenol content that reduces the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins.
@ Article by permission of the author (kinabaloo) and Vaping Buzzz
