Nicotine
Description
Nicotine is a chemical found in tobacco products. It is a naturally occurring colorless liquid that turns brown when burned. Nicotine is an extremely addictive drug. Only about 7 percent of people who try to quit smoking alone last one year or more. It is also a common ingredient in insecticides.
13% of 8th graders said they have smoked cigarettes.
Symptoms
- Nausea
- Mild headache
- Mouth sores
- Cancer
- High Insulin
- Sleep disturbances
Cigarette Smoking counts as 90% of all lung cancers in the US. Smoking causes stroke, which is the third leading cause of death.
40 million adults smoke cigarettes in the US alone.
How drug works against cell communication
Nicotine is shaped like acetylcholine, so it attaches to the acetylcholine receptors and mimics the neurotransmitter. Acetylcholine is responsible for muscle movements, breathing, memory, and heart rate. Nicotine can also acts as Dopamine, which controls pleasure. This is the same neurotransmitter that heroin and cocaine imitate.