What Effect Does Nicotine Alone Have on a Human Body?
Question by Mat: What effect does nicotine alone have on a human body?
Does it just mess with your brain causing addiction or does it have any other bad (good?) effect?
Best answer:
Answer by David Greene
Nicotine can act as both a stimulant and a sedative. Immediately after exposure to nicotine, there is a “kick” caused in part by the drug’s stimulation of the adrenal glands and resulting discharge of epinephrine (adrenaline). The rush of adrenaline stimulates the body and causes a sudden release of glucose as well as an increase in blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate. Nicotine also suppresses insulin output from the pancreas, which means that smokers are always slightly hypoglycemic. There are millions of neurons, cells that transfer information throughout the nervous system. Between two neurons is the synapse, across which information is sent. One neuron releases a chemical called a neurotransmitter, which binds to the next neuron in the “chain.” This chain sets in motion the body’s response to new information. Nicotine binds itself onto a subset of neurons that usually bind the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, blocking the acetylcholine from being able to broadcast its specific, usual messages that concern muscle movement and energy level. When nicotine blocks these receptors, it causes the body to release more acetylcholine in an attempt to find synapses to which it can attach.
Related What Causes Addictions In The Brain Information…