Nicotine is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in the leaves of tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rustica) and in smaller quantities in other plants of the nightshade family, such as tomatoes, potatoes and eggplants.

Nicotine is a potent alkaloid found in the family of plants known as Nightshade (Solanaceae). It is primarily known for its psychoactive effects and is considered a highly addictive substance.

Nicotine Effects on the Body

Nicotine is a natural alkaloid found in the leaves of the tobacco plant. It is the primary psychoactive substance in tobacco and is responsible for the addictive properties of tobacco use.

There are also positive effects reported of nicotine use including: feelings of relaxation, calmness, alertness and reduced appetite. Nicotine appears to enhance concentration and memory as well as increasing arousal. (1)

As the dosage of nicotine is increased, its effect changes from stimulant to sedative and pain killer. There have also been reports of anxiety reduction.

Nicotine as a Stimulant

Nicotine has several different actions in the body that can produce effects on the body. In small doses – around 1 to 2 mg – it acts as a stimulant in mammals. In larger doses it acts as a sedative and pain killer.

Shortly after exposure to nicotine, the adrenal glands are stimulated resulting in a discharge of adrenaline. (7) This causes a sudden release of glucose from the liver and creates the stimulant effect that users note. (2) A few seconds after nicotine is ingested, the nicotine-rich blood passes from the lungs to the brain and there is a release of numerous neurotransmitters. The most well-studied of these are; serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.

In addition to the increase in the release of these chemicals, nicotine also appeared to increase the metabolism of the chemicals. These increases continue for about 2 ½ hours before declining again. (8)

It is the release and increased metabolism of these chemicals that produce many of the effects of nicotine in the body. The presence of dopamine is generally associated with our brain’s pleasure or reward mechanisms. While the most studied actions of serotonin involve the GI tract, its role in the central nervous system is thought to be a contribution to feelings of well-being and happiness.

Nicotine Enhances Concentration and Memory, & Reduces Appetite

Serotonin also has roles in the regulation of appetite and sleep, as well as cognitive functions including memory and learning. Norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline) is the neurotransmitter most responsible for the body’s ability to concentrate. It also affects the area of the brain where attention is controlled.

In concert with epinephrine, norepinephrine underlies the ‘fight-or-flight’ response by directly increasing heart rate, triggering the release of glucose from energy stores, and increasing blood flow to muscles throughout the body.

Therapeutic Uses of Nicotine

While nicotine is best known for its presence in tobacco products and its addictive properties, it is also used therapeutically in smoking cessation products like nicotine replacement therapies (such as nicotine gum, patches and lozenges) to help individuals quit smoking. In these products, nicotine is delivered in controlled doses to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with quitting tobacco use.

Whilst the main therapeutic use for nicotine is the treatment of nicotine dependence, there are a few other medical uses. When nicotine is used as a component of tobacco, it has been shown to reduce the risk of ulcerative colitis (3) and pre-eclampsia (4) possibly related to nicotine’s role as a vaso-constrictive agent.

While the use of tobacco increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, there is also some evidence that nicotine, separate from tobacco use, can treat Alzheimer’s disease (5) and delay the onset of Parkinson’s disease (6).

How to Use Nicotine

There are many different routes for ingesting nicotine. Nicotine is used in various forms, including; cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff) and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). The most common is smoking – as in smoking tobacco, however there are obviously many health warnings associated with smoking cigarettes.

The inhalation of tobacco and nicotine-containing products through smoking carries health risks and is a major contributor to various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and cancers. It is safer to use nicotine in different ways.

The vaporized nicotine found in electronic cigarettes is becoming increasingly popular. Nicotine can also be chewed, as it is in tobacco gum or chewing tobacco; directly inhaled with a nicotine inhaler; absorbed through the skin, such as a nicotine patch; or through the cheek lining.

When tobacco is smoked, chewed or vaped, nicotine is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and reaches the brain within seconds. In the brain, nicotine acts on various neurotransmitter systems, particularly the release of dopamine, which is associated with pleasure and reward. This release of dopamine contributes to the addictive nature of nicotine, leading to dependence and tolerance over time.

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Nicotine Herb Notes / Side Effects

Despite its therapeutic applications, nicotine can have adverse effects on health, particularly when consumed in large quantities or through smoking tobacco products. Long-term tobacco use is associated with various health risks, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders, cancer (particularly lung cancer) and other serious health conditions. Therefore, while nicotine replacement therapies can be helpful in smoking cessation, it’s essential to use them as part of a comprehensive cessation program under the guidance of healthcare professionals.

Nicotine increases blood pressure and heart rate through its action as a vaso-constrictor. Because nicotine use causes an increase in dopamine levels in the pleasure centers of the brain, it has intense addictive properties. Nicotine is currently listed in Pregnancy Category D. This means that there is positive evidence for fetal risk based on adverse reaction data in investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans.

There is increasing evidence regarding the prenatal use of nicotine separate from tobacco smoke that finds that the drug interacts with fetal brain development by disrupting normal neurotransmitter function. (9)

Some forms of nicotine are not appropriate for use by people with certain medical conditions. Those with allergies, nasal polyps, or sinusitis could have trouble using the nasal spray form of nicotine; those with some skin conditions may have adverse reactions to a transdermal patch; and mouth or dental problems could affect the safe use of nicotine gum or lozenges.

It is not safe to smoke or use any tobacco product while using nicotine in any form.

References:

(1)RUSTED J, GRAUPNER L, O’CONNELL N, NICHOLLS C (AUGUST 1994). “DOES NICOTINE IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION?”. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (BERL.) 115 (4): 547–9. DOI:10.1007/BF02245580. PMID 7871101

(2)LAGRUE G, LEBARGY F, CORMIER A (JUNE 2001). “FROM NICOTINIC RECEPTORS TO SMOKING DEPENDENCE: THERAPEUTIC PROSPECTS”. ALCOOLOGIE ET ADDICTOLOGIE 23 (2S): 39S–42.

(3)GREEN JT, RICHARDSON C, MARSHALL RW, RHODES J, MCKIRDY HC, THOMAS GA, WILLIAMS GT (NOVEMBER 2000). “NITRIC OXIDE MEDIATES A THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF NICOTINE IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS”. ALIMENT. PHARMACOL. THER. 14 (11): 1429–34. DOI:10.1046/J.1365-2036.2000.00847.X

(4)LAIN KY, POWERS RW, KROHN MA, NESS RB, CROMBLEHOLME WR, ROBERTS JM (NOVEMBER 1999). “URINARY COTININE CONCENTRATION CONFIRMS THE REDUCED RISK OF PREECLAMPSIA WITH TOBACCO EXPOSURE”. AM. J. OBSTET. GYNECOL. 181 (5 PT 1): 1192–6. DOI:10.1016/S0002-9378(99)70107-9.

(5)HENNINGFIELD JE, ZELLER M (2009). “NICOTINE PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: POLICY AND REGULATORY”. HANDB EXP PHARMACOL. HANDBOOK OF EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY 192 (192): 511–34. DOI:10.1007/978-3-540-69248-5_18. ISBN 978-3-540-69246-1. PMID 19184661.

(6)DENOON D (2006-08-11). “NICOTINE SLOWS PARKINSON’S DISEASE”. RETRIEVED 2009-12-27.

(7)MEEKER-O’CONNELL, A. HOW NICOTINE WORKS. RETRIEVED FROM HTTP://SCIENCE.HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM/NICOTINE3.HTM ON 21 OCT 2013.

(8)SINGER, S, ET. AL. NICOTINE-INDUCED CHANGES IN NEUROTRANSMITTER LEVELS IN BRAIN AREAS ASSOCIATED WITH COGNITIVE FUNCTION. NEUROCHEM RES. 2004 SEP; 29(9):1779-92.

(9)WICKSTROM, R. EFFECTS OF NICOTINE DURING PREGNANCY: HUMAN AND EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE. CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY. 2007 SEPTEMBER. 5(3): 213-222.