Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and its usage has severe negative effects on health of an individual. Nicotine usage is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) like bronchitis and emphysema and cancer of lungs, larynx, oral cavity, esophagus, pharynx etc. Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco releases large amount of nicotine in body that leads to further health ailments. Prolonged nicotine usage develops into addiction over a period of time and causes heart diseases, high blood pressure, loss of appetite etc.

Effect On:
Nicotine usage has several long-term and short-term harmful health effects. It affects the mood, appetite, and nervous system.

Lungs
Nicotine is detrimental to the healthy functioning of lungs. Once the nicotine reaches the blood through lungs, it increases the blood pressure and narrows the arteries restricting the amount of blood circulated in body. Less amount of blood decreases the capacity of lungs to circulate oxygen in the blood. Other substance like carbon monoxide that enters the blood stream along with Nicotine further reduces the level of oxygen in blood. Lack of oxygen further affects functioning of lungs. Nicotine also increases the risk of lung cancer and prolonged exposure can promote the growth and development of tumors in lungs. Also other chemicals that enter the body along with Nicotine damage the cell structure of the lung tissue.

Brain
Nicotine after entering the bloodstream reaches the brain and alters its functioning. Nicotine has the property to mimic the activity of a specific neurotransmitter in the body by binding to a particular receptor. Once it binds to the specific receptor, it imbalances the neurotransmitter activity in body and causes muscle movement, increases heart rate, breathing problems, inability to concentrate and more. Nicotine also results in release of dopamine that gives a sense of pleasure and elevates mood. The release of dopamine and changing chemical makeup of the brain further leads to addiction. Prolonged exposure to Nicotine can cause the brain to develop tolerance to the effects of dopamine and lead to addiction. Thus, the person increases the intake of Nicotine every time by smoking or chewing tobacco to attain the same sense of pleasure.

Blood Pressure
Nicotine increases the blood pressure by narrowing the size of blood vessels. Narrow blood vessels means less supply of oxygenated blood flow to vital organs of the body that can further cause medical complications. Narrowing down of blood vessels can also cause cardiac arrest. Less circulation of blood in vessels in brain can result in formation of clots or leaks that can cause stroke. Narrowing down of blood vessels can increase pressure on its weakened areas thus causing aneurysms.

Central Nervous System
Once the Nicotine enters the bloodstream, it reaches the brain quickly and affects the working of Central Nervous System (CNS) by stimulating the activity of neurotransmitters. Nicotine stimulates the CNS that results in increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, faster respiration, and narrowing of blood vessels. Prolonged exposure to usage of Nicotine can be harmful to CNS and can lead to conditions like muscular sclerosis.

Sudden cessation of Nicotine usage can cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, increase in appetite, cravings, mood swings, depression, fatigue, and cognitive deficiencies. Effective treatment therapies like Nicotine replacement therapy can help in faster recovery and cope up with withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Support from family and friends prove crucial in entire recovery process.

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