Nicotine and tobacco addiction

Tobacco smoking is the most common activity that leads to nicotine addiction. Tobacco smoking dates back to ancient times when tobacco began to be cultivated in South America. Tobacco burning started as incense burning as a part of shamanistic rituals and later new and innovative means of smoking tobacco were discovered. Introduction of tobacco in other countries was met with intense criticism but despite its harmful effects it still became popular. Tobacco use, either smoking or chewing, commonly leads to ailments associated with the lungs and heart. Smoking tobacco is a major risk for heart attacks, strokes and pulmonary obstruction. It is one of the biggest contributors to cancer of the lungs, throat and larynx. The link with lung cancer and tobacco smoking was identified by German scientists in the late 1920s, which eventually led to launching of anti smoking bans. While anti smoking campaigns contribute a lot the fact is that getting out of this addiction is a process and not an event. Smokers tend to resolve to quit smoking only to fall back on smoking after a couple of days, weeks and even months. Nicotine has mood altering psychoactive effects which are the major cause of addiction.

Smoking tobacco releases nicotine into the bloodstream and acts both as a stimulant and relaxant. Smokers are normally advised to use other ways of releasing nicotine into the bloodstream to help then quit smoking and manage the withdrawal symptoms associated with cessation of smoking. Alternative methods of nicotine release are in the domain of nicotine replacement therapies. These products release nicotine into the body with the risks associated with cigarette smoke, the major cause of harmful effects of smoking. One of the popular products used as a nicotine replacement therapy is nicotine gum. This too may cause nicotine gum addiction if it is not used strictly according to recommendations.

There is a fine distinction that separates tobacco addiction from addiction of nicotine. Research shows that nicotine, whichever way it is delivered, activates the brain circuitry that is responsible for giving feelings of pleasure and euphoria. It also affects arteries throughout the body.

Addiction to nicotine is also linked to circulatory diseases. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which means that it narrows the openings of blood vessels. Vasoconstriction puts an extra load on the heart and it has to work harder to pump blood, raising blood pressure, a major cause of heart disease.
Addictive nicotine, however, has therapeutic uses as well. The harm that smoking causes is mainly due to cigarette smoke, which is full of tars and carbon monoxide. Smokeless methods of delivering nicotine can help to a great extent in quitting smoking.

Whatever way you choose for nicotine delivery it is imperative that you use it specifically for the purpose of quitting smoking. Make sure that you use nicotine replacement products according to recommendations. Howsoever minimal the risk may be, any addiction, including nicotine addiction, is not good for health.