Activities: activity-3
TRUE OR FALSE?
6. Without nicotine, a smoker can feel irritable and depressed.
Correct!
Incorrect. The statement above is true.
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include irritability, craving, depression, anxiety, cognitive and attention deficits, sleep disturbances, and increased appetite.27
TRUE OR FALSE?
5. Nicotine causes the same changes in the brain as heroin and cocaine.
Correct!
Incorrect. The statement above is true.
Nicotine also attaches to neurons (brain cells) that release a neurotransmitter called dopamine.
Nicotine stimulates neurons to release unusually large amounts of dopamine. Dopamine stimulates the brain's pleasure and reward circuit, a group of brain structures called the limbic system involved in appetite, learning memory, and feelings of pleasure.28
In 40 minutes, half the effects of nicotine are gone.
So smokers get the urge to light up for another dose of the drug. After repeated doses of nicotine, the brain changes. To adjust to too much dopamine, the brain cuts production of the neurotransmitter and reduces the number of some receptors. Now, the smoker needs nicotine just to create normal levels of dopamine in his or her brain. Without nicotine, the smoker feels irritable and depressed. The smoker has trained the limbic system to crave tobacco. Think about how you long for a cold drink on a hot day. Or how you want a sandwich when you are hungry. Craving for tobacco is much28 stronger.
TRUE OR FALSE?
4. Each year, nearly 5 million smokers want to quit.
Incorrect. Each year, nearly 35 million smokers want to quit.
Correct! Each year, nearly 35 million smokers want to quit.
TRUE OR FALSE?
3. Few smokers use tobacco regularly because they are addicted to nicotine.
Incorrect. Most smokers use tobacco regularly because they are addicted to nicotine.
Correct! Most smokers use tobacco regularly because they are addicted to nicotine.
Most smokers use tobacco regularly because they are addicted to nicotine. Addiction is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, even in the face of negative health consequences. It is well documented that most smokers identify tobacco use as harmful and express a desire to reduce or stop using it, and nearly 35 million of them want to quit each year. Unfortunately, more than 85 percent of those who try to quit on their own relapse, most within a week.27
TRUE OR FALSE?
2. The adrenaline (or epinephrine) released by the body after absorbing nicotine stimulates the body and causes a decrease in blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate.
Incorrect. The adrenaline (or epinephrine) released by the body after absorbing nicotine stimulates the body and causes an increase in blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate.
Correct! The adrenaline (or epinephrine) released by the body after absorbing nicotine stimulates the body and causes an increase in blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate.
Immediately after exposure to nicotine, there is a "kick" caused in part by the drug's stimulation of the adrenal glands and resulting discharge of epinephrine (adrenaline). The rush of adrenaline stimulates the body and causes an increase in blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate.27