You must have heard this term quite often – nicotine. Do you know what is nicotine? What is it made up of? If not, then this article here will give you all the information that you need about nicotine. Read on and learn more…
You have heard this again and again, every time you smoke or chew tobacco,’nicotine is bad for your health, you should not take it’. What exactly do we mean by nicotine? It is an addictive substance that can be found in tobacco and is a colorless liquid that forms naturally and turns brown when burned. If a person is addicted to nicotine, then he will have a difficult time getting over it. According to the American Heart Association, “Nicotine addiction has historically been one of the hardest addictions to break”. There has been a sharp rise in the use of nicotine, irrespective of its disadvantages to the human health. Read on for more information on what is nicotine and also for some interesting facts about nicotine.
Interesting Facts About Nicotine
Do you know what nicotine is made of? It is made of caffeine and strychnine and is highly addictive.
Physical and Chemical Properties
The nicotine is a poisonous, pale yellow and oily substance which turns brown in color when left out in the open. This is miscible with water when it is in its base form and in its concentrated form is used as a potent insecticide. This is actually an alkaloid which can be found naturally in the tobacco plant. The amount of nicotine in the tobacco plants usually ranges from nearly 2 to 7%. Nicotine can penetrate the skin easily and thus, when ingested, it can be easily absorbed by either the mucus lining of the nose or mouth, or the lungs (depending on the way it is taken), and then reaches the blood stream as well as the brain within 10 seconds.
Derivation of the Name
The term nicotine has been named after the tobacco plant called the Nicotiana tabacum. This plant in turn was named after the French Ambassador in Portugal, Jean Nicot de Villemain. He was the one who, in the year 1560s sent the tobacco seeds from Brazil to Paris in order to promote their various qualities.
Uses of Nicotine
Wondering what it is used for? Well, it is a medical product which is used for smoking cessation. If you use a small amount of nicotine, it will help in controlling the nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine is also used as nasal sprays by those who wish to quit smoking. You can also get nicotine gun over the counter and use it for certain mouth or dental problems.
Harmful Effects of Nicotine
Now, let us see what are the harmful effects of nicotine. It causes heart as well as respiratory problems in people who are addicted to it. Excess consumption can also lead to tumors. Once a person becomes addicted to nicotine, it becomes really difficult for him to let go of that habit. It is said to increase the flow of dopamine which gives the smoker a feeling of great pleasure. If a person tries to come out of this addiction, then they start suffering from nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, sleeping problems and the blood pressure and heart rate also increases. The problem becomes so bad, that a small amount of nicotine is required in order to control the symptoms. Nicotine used for a long period of time can also damage the cells in the lungs and the heart.
You can see from it, that taking nicotine is bad for your health and causes great damage to your body. If you are in the habit, then slowly and gradually, try and come out of it if you want to lead a healthy life.
