What Nicotine Does to the Body
By Samuel Musungu
Although majorly found in tobacco plants, traces of nicotine also exist in nightshade vegetables such as cauliflower, tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant. This toxic chemical compound is used in the manufacture of tobacco products, which include cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars, blunts, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco and snuff, some insecticides, as well as nicotine replacement products like nicotine gum, inhaler, nasal spray, lozenges, and patches.
Nicotine can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, or absorption via the eyes or skin in liquid form. It is highly addictive and keeps tobacco users hooked to the products. Once in the body, it occasions the following negative health effects.
Stops Formation of New Brain Cells
Nicotine is proven to have the ability to kill cells and prevent the formation of new ones in the hippocampus- the complex part of the brain majorly involved in learning and memory. This, according to France’s National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), could be the explanation behind cognitive challenges experienced by the majority of heavy smokers during the withdrawal phase after quitting smoking.
Insulin Resistance
Nicotine alters chemical processes in the human cells, making them unable to respond to insulin. The cells require insulin to extract glucose from the blood and convert it into energy. If that doesn’t happen, the glucose remains in the blood and causes a rise in the blood sugar level.
Moreover, nicotine can trigger the human body to produce more triglycerides- fats found in the blood that cause insulin resistance. Nicotine may as well increase the amounts of hormones that inhibit the secretion of insulin by the pancreas.
If insulin resistance is not reversed, it can lead to conditions such as severe high blood sugar, kidney disease, heart attack, cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, eye problems, et al.
Narrowing of Blood Vessels
Like other chemicals contained in e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and cigars, nicotine can lead to peripheral artery disease (PAD). This is the constriction of blood vessels, which results in reduced blood flow to the hands, arms, legs, and feet. After some time, this constriction makes the blood vessels stiff and less elastic.
Narrowed blood vessels reduce the quantity of oxygen and nutrients that flow to the body cells. And to meet the oxygen demand, the heart may increase its rate to pump more blood to the different parts of the body.
Stiff and less elastic blood vessels, an inflamed heart, and increased heart rate pose a challenge to effective pumping and circulation of blood. These alterations in the function and structure of the heart and blood vessels predisposes one to the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Increased Seizure Risk
Excess exposure to nicotine can cause nicotine poisoning/toxicity. According to a study by Frontiers in Pharmacology, this poisoning may activate neurons in the brain region known as the amygdala and end up sparking seizures. The findings also showed that the seizures may start happening in a matter of minutes after using any product that contains nicotine.
Another study by Nicotine & Tobacco Research concluded that people with epilepsy may be at a greater risk of seizures should they come in contact with nicotine.
Nicotine Dependency Treatment
Addictive as it may be, it’s still possible to treat nicotine dependency through pharmacotherapy, behavioural therapy, counseling, and support groups. Pharmacotherapy, which involves nicotine replacement therapy and drug therapy, helps to relieve nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
Behavioural treatment engages people with substance use disorders and provides them with incentives to continue their abstinence and change their drug-related behaviours. It includes cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, telephone support, automated text messaging, social media support, and web-based services among others.