Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Health
  4. / Smoking

by csw555 on April 30th, 2007

csw555

Question

Help answer this question below.

What does it feel like to be addicted to cigarettes? What makes someone go "oh I need a cigarette"?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. Showing one answer.

  • by weatherman taking week or so off on July 24th, 2007

    weatherman taking week or so off

    Nicotine is a substitute neurotransmitter. It mimics the actions of acetlycholine, which is the body's natural neurotransmitter for nerve to muscle nerve synapses (or junctions) - the peripheral nervous system. Nicotine, being more efficient, is selected by the body in preference to acetylcholine. But there is still more natural floating around, thus you get a burst of energy. Nicotine, being taken in a dose (cigarette) rather than in continuous replacement mode, tends to break down all at once, thus causing a drop in energy and the physical need for another cigarette. Note that this is why continuous nicotine, through a patch or something similar, can help with quitting. After a person has been smoking for awhile, the body notices that there is extra acetylcholine (natural) neurotransmitter floating around doing nothing, and starts making less of it. Thus when you quit smoking "cold turkey", it takes awhile for the body to replenish the natural neurotransmitter and to build up the process which makes the natural one.

    Comments
    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading What does it feel like to be addicted to cigarettes? What makes someone go "oh I need a cigarette"?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

Answerbag

a Demand Media company