The chemical nicotine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in tobacco. Also used as a potent insecticide, nicotine is the active ingredient found in tobacco smoke. Nicotine can act as a dangerous nerve signal transmitter. The minute amounts of nicotine found in cigarettes have proven harmful enough to cause dizziness, lowered blood pressure, nausea, and heart palpitations. In larger, yet still minuscule doses, the chemical causes respiratory failure and paralysis.
Smokers inhale approximately 3 mg of nicotine per cigarette smoked. Contrary to public assumption, nicotine is not a carcinogen, but this small trace of the chemical in cigarettes causes heart disease and has proven to increase rapid growth of tumors caused by other ingredients in cigarettes.
We've discussed what nicotine is and just what it causes, but possibly the most important aspect of nicotine - certainly worth mention - is its addictive qualities. Tobacco in any form, due to nicotine, will cause physical addiction to nicotine. The chemical increases dopamine resulting in pleasurable feelings. Of course, if addicted, a tobacco user who discontinues their use of tobacco will experience nicotine withdrawal. Typically within 48-72 hours after stopping the use of tobacco products, a user will experience one or many of the following: trouble sleeping, changes to heart rate, changes to blood pressure, anxiety, and irritability - among other symptoms.
Although there are many products on the market to mimic this dopamine release, nicotine replacement though gum, patches, etc. results in a slower rate of absorption and can include many unpleasant side effects of their own.
Highly recommended are programs which use no alternative products, still keeping users on an intake of a dangerous and addictive chemical.
To find out more about quitting without the use of over-the-counter, side effect causing products, please visit MostEffectiveHypnosis.com.
Jeffrey Scott Rosen - Advanced Certified Hypnotherapist
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