Nicotine's role in quitting smoking - why it is so hard to quit.


by Nigel H - Date: 2007-02-19 - Word Count: 375 Share This!

One the reasons many people struggle when quitting smoking is that cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is a stimulant drug which can also be found in tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant but obviously in much smaller quantities. Nicotine is distributed in the body by the bloodstream. The amount of nicotine that actually enters the user's bloodstream depends on a number of factors. Chewing tobacco tends to be worse than smoking it and even when smoking tobacco, factors such as the amount the user inhales, the type of tobacco and whether the cigarette had a filter also plays a part.

Nicotine is a very addictive drug. The addictive qualities of nicotine can perhaps be best demonstrated by the numbers of people who go back to smoking following surgery as a result of developing a smoking related disease. In fact, the Royal College of Physician published a report in February 2000, Nicotine Addiction in Britain, stating "Cigarettes are highly efficient nicotine delivery devices and are as addictive as drugs such as heroin or cocaine".

If nicotine is so addictive why do smokers start smoking? Users will often tell you nicotine does have some desirable effects. As the drug is a stimulant, it can make the user feel more alert and improve concentration and memory. Other users get the feeling of calm and relaxation, these desirable feelings produces a great deal of pleasure. Due to the nature of nicotine, it can increase the user's metabolic rate which in turns suppresses their appetite and may result in weight loss. The effects of nicotine vary from 5 minutes to 2 hours but as the user builds a tolerance to the drug, the effects of nicotine do not last as long as they do initially.

As with any drug, users suffer with withdrawal symptoms when they cease consuming it. Common symptoms include:
- irritability
- anxiety
- restlessness
- difficulties in maintaining concentration
- sleeping pattern disturbances
- increased appetite (due to slowing of metabolic rate)
- weight gain

The reputation of the withdrawal symptoms is often enough to stop many people from even trying to quit smoking. Although it sounds tough, there are techniques and systems which can make it easier for people who desire to quit, but people must desire it!

Nigel owns Quit-Smoking-Here, a website which contains lots of useful information if you wish to quit smoking .

Related Tags: quit smoking, stop smoking, quitting smoking, quit smoking tips

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