Substance Use

Why Nicotine is So Addictive: Understanding The Science

By now, most people know that using tobacco products, like vapes, is not only harmful to your health, but it’s extremely addictive. This is due to nicotine, the naturally occurring chemical compound that triggers a release of dopamine in the brain when consumed. Nicotine is found in all tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco and even vapes.

The Chemical Structure of Nicotine

Nicotine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in the tobacco plant that has a unique chemical structure composed of a two-ring system: a pyridine ring and a pyrrolidine ring that make up the molecular formula of C10H14N2 — a colorless, oily liquid that is highly toxic. When heated, it emits toxic fumes of carbon monoxide that significantly alter a smoker’s health. It crosses the blood-brain barrier within 20 seconds of inhalation, so users feel the immediate dopamine effect: that “feel good” sensation that keeps people addicted.

How Nicotine Affects the Brain

Nicotine use increases activity in the prefrontal cortex, thalamus and visual system of the brain. It releases a variety of neurotransmitters (from serotonin to glutamate), but the most important one is dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward and motivation. That first dopamine rush creates a sense of euphoria, which reinforces continued tobacco use. It also temporarily enhances cognition, alertness and attention (due to its interaction with specific nAChRs involved with learning and memory), which is why many people smoke before work or with their morning coffee.

The Addiction Cycle and Tolerance

Nicotine becomes so addictive due to three main reasons:

The dopamine rush gives users a high and relieves stress
The short-term effects of nicotine on cognition and alertness
The need to continue consuming nicotine due to an increased tolerance that happens with repeated and consistent exposure.

Due to that increased tolerance, the user needs to consume more nicotine to experience the same effects, creating a looping cycle of addiction and declining health.

How Nicotine Impacts Your Health

Nicotine hooks users early on. In early adolescence, nicotine use can harm brain development, impacting learning, memory and self-control. It can also create mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression due to its tendency to alter brain function.

On a long-term scale, nicotine can lead to cognitive decline and dementia due to its negative impact on the brain’s blood flow, neuroinflammation and cell death. There’s also an increased risk of cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as decreased immune function with negative impacts on reproductive health.

Nicotine is also highly dangerous for pregnant women, potentially leading to birth defects, early deliveries, or even miscarriages.

The Difficulties of Quitting

Nicotine is one of the five most addictive substances in the world, and more than two-thirds of Americans who tried smoking reported becoming dependent on it throughout their life.

When a person stops using tobacco, nicotine levels in the brain begin to drop. This change contributes to a cycle of cravings to maintain the levels of nicotine the brain is used to having. Long-term exposure then creates changes in the brain that result in nicotine dependence. This causes unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, making it very hard to quit smoking, vaping, or other tobacco use.

Symptoms of Nicotine Withdrawal

Cravings: Users feel a strong desire for nicotine as their nicotine levels drop in the brain from not using it. This is often the most difficult symptom to overcome.
Irritability, restlessness and anxiety: Users might feel easily agitated, on edge, or jumpy due to disrupted dopamine pathways.
Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep is common during the withdrawal period.
Increased appetite and weight gain: Due to metabolic changes and pleasure-seeking, users may eat more food and gain weight when they stop smoking or using tobacco.
Headaches, dizziness and nausea: While mild and short-lived, users may feel unpleasant symptoms as they initially stop using tobacco.
Difficulty concentrating: Because of nicotine’s immediate “focus” effect, users might have a harder time staying on task, initially.
Fatigue: Because nicotine is a stimulant, users may feel more tired than normal from not using it.
Depression/low mood: The absence of nicotine’s dopamine rush can make the user feel more down than normal, initially.
Anger and frustration: Dealing with withdrawal symptoms can feel hard and initially, the user may feel angry and frustrated when combatting their addiction.

Ways to Treat Nicotine Addiction

There are many ways to treat nicotine dependence, and oftentimes, it takes several attempts. It’s important to be patient during the quitting process, as nicotine is highly addictive.

Medication

Both prescription medication and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are available. OTC products (like patches, gums and lozenges) contain a small amount of nicotine to help users ween off the substance, whereas prescription medication does not contain nicotine. Prescription drugs include antidepressants. It’s important to talk to your doctor about which medication would be best for you.

Behavioral Therapy

This type of counseling helps the individual learn coping strategies as well as problem-solving skills to help them quit for good and prevent relapse. This includes 1-1 counseling, group counseling, phone quitlines and web-based programs to download self-help materials.

How Caron Can Help

If you or your loved one is struggling with tobacco dependence from cigarette use or other tobacco products, Caron can help. With facilities on the East Coast offering the most accessible treatments available, our team at Caron uses evidence-based methods to help you overcome your addiction and get your life back on track.

FAQs About Nicotine Addictions

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance with several adverse effects on human health, particularly when used over a long period. Exposure to nicotine can lead to increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and potential harm to heart health, increasing the risk of heart disease. It can also impact the development of the adolescent brain, affecting learning, attention, and impulse control. For pregnant women, nicotine use can lead to complications such as preterm delivery, low birth weight, and increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The 5% vaping cartridges typically contain around 40 mg of nicotine per pod. According to an article in the National Library of Medicine, those cartridges are “approximately equivalent to about 1 pack of cigarettes.” Plus, the design of some vaping devices also allows nicotine to enter the bloodstream more efficiently. This is why vaping is so dangerous, especially for teens. However, because the user can select different nicotine concentrations, it's not accurate to say that all vapes have more nicotine than cigarettes. The key factor is the specific product and the nicotine concentration of the e-liquid used.

Nicotine has been studied for its potential benefits, but they do not outweigh the health risks associated with nicotine addiction and tobacco product use. Some research suggests that nicotine can enhance attention, cognition, and memory in the short term. However, it's important to note that the addictive nature of nicotine and its adverse health effects significantly overshadow these potential benefits.