Tobacco
The tobacco plant belongs to the genus Nicotiana, a botanical family of the Solanaceae. This plant is the only one that synthesizes and then preserves an alkaloid called nicotine in its dry leaves.
What is nicotine ?
It is the main alkaloid of tobacco, a psychoactive component of cigarettes, it is present in the leaves of the plant and in the smoke from its combustion. Once in the bloodstream, nicotine reaches the brain in seven seconds. It is metabolized in the liver and eliminated by the kidney, this process being facilitated by the acidification of the urine.
Taking into account that the conventional form of consumption is by cigarette, we will focus on the scientific evidence that exists about its consumption in this presentation.
What is the safe dosage ?
There is no safe way to be exposed to tobacco or its smoke .
The fatal dose of nicotine is between 40 and 60mg in adults, the average content of a cigarette is 0.5 and 2mg, so poisonings are more commonly given with liquids that contain nicotine.
Smoking every day is considered a high-risk behavior, and smoking between 3 and 5 cigarettes a day is considered an acute addiction.
According to the World Health Organization, tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, of which at least 250 are known to be harmful, and more than 50 are known to cause cancer.
What are its effects ?
Nicotine is a minor stimulant of the Central Nervous System , which means that it produces a sensation of alert at the same time that it accelerates the functioning of the organism, increases the blood pressure and the heart and respiratory rate ; it can also cause a decrease in appetite.
Once it enters the body in the combustion smoke, it takes seconds to reach the blood and approximately 5 minutes to reach the brain .
Once in the brain, its effects can last between 5 and 10 minutes.
Nicotine takes two hours to be eliminated from the body, approximately at that time the desire to smoke again or what we know as withdrawal symptoms begins to appear.
According to the World Health Organization, tobacco kills up to half of its users .
Annually around 7 million people in the world die from tobacco, of these 890,000 are passive smokers.
How does it work in the brain ?
Nicotine is an agonist or emulator of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and binds to cholinergic or nicotinic receptors on neurons, thus causing them to release abundant dopamine, known as the reward or pleasure hormone.
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This mechanism is responsible for generating dependence on the substance.
Consuming tobacco regularly can cause:
Bad breath
Loss of tooth enamel and yellowing of teeth
Yellow color on the fingers
Cardiovascular diseases: arteriosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, angina pectoris, heart attack, stroke.
Respiratory diseases: bronchitis, emphysema,
Chronic gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer and reflux esophagitis.
Lung cancer,
Disturbance of the normal functioning of the sense of smell and taste
Oral and dental diseases such as bad breath, loss of tooth enamel.
Osteoporosis
Gastric ulcers
Reproductive problems
Does nicotine create addiction ?
Yes, regular consumption of nicotine generates tolerance , which means that the person must increase the dose more and more to feel the initial effects.
There is also a withdrawal syndrome that can appear between 2 and 24 hours after the last consumption.
Nicotine generates both physical and psychological dependence , however, it is not the main cause of physical illnesses related to smoking, due to the combustion method and the release of toxins from tar, most of the associated physical illnesses are generated.
What are the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome ?
Anxiety
Irritability
Insomnia
Headache
Increased appetite
Restlessness.
If you want to know some recommendations for before, during and after smoking, don't miss our blog post .
📌Do not consume any psychoactive substance, if you do so other than on a regular basis
📌 Take care of yourself physically before, during and after consumption through nutrition and hydration
📌Implement detoxification strategies the days after consumption
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🔥 Warning signs 🔥
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If you feel the need to increase the dose to feel the effects you initially felt, give yourself a break and do not consume for a long time, this will decrease tolerance, keep it there through non-habitual consumption, that is, do not take part of your routine or that the consumption does not present a pattern.
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💡Do you want to detox?
At # deliberate we have designed a DETOX program at home: 7 days with nutritional advice, physical activity, recipes (breakfast, lunch and dinner), mindfulness exercises, imagery exercises and steam baths; Give your body a detoxification day once every six months and avoid negative consequences for your health in the medium and long term. More info here 💡
Do you want to manage your consumption?
Book an appointment with our healthcare professionals. Find out whether or not you have a problem use and acquire strategies to reduce risks and harm from using psychoactive substances. More info here