Drugs Profile: Nicotine

• Nicotine enters the body and is transported to every cell in the body via the blood stream. 
• Nicotine arrives at the synapse and binds to the acetylcholine receptors.
• This binding causes the receptor to open allowing ions to flood the post synaptic cleft causing noradrenaline to rise. Nicotine mimics acetylecholine. 
• This causes neural firing of acetylcholine, which has an effect as it reaches the reward pathway. 
• The positive relaxing and reduce of anxiety is felt as the reward pathway is stimulated by endorphins.  

Short term:

• buring in the mouth
• sickness/stomach pains
• diahorrea
• agitation
• dizziness and headaches
• increased blood pressure
• decrese in anxiety
• improves memory/attention

Long term:

• reduce lung efficeny
• reduce heart efficieny
• cancerous
• internal buring

Physical Dependance:

• Tolerance is reached rapidly
• Brain changes occur to accept nictoine in the body.
• Cravings

Psychological Dependance:

• Become used to oral stimulation
• Cravings
• Strong postive reinforcement

• The body produces more acetylcholine receptors to deal with increased acetylcholine. Tolerance is increased only after a few days of exposure. 
• The plateau is reached very quickly, increasing to a high level of nicotine intake. 
• Increased consumption of nicotine means that individuals become addicted very quickly. 

Symptoms:

• desire for oral gratification
• poor concetration
• increased anxiety
• memory problems
• depression
• sleeping issues
• increased appetite
• headaches
• (opposite to the effects of nicotine)