http://brasilescola.uol.com.br/upload/conteudo/images/estrutura-da-nicotina.jpg

Source Image

Hello again, today I come with a publication that is very important. It's about nicotine. I do not come to talk about a clinical case that has happened to me, although these cases occur very often, every day people arrive with an overdose of nicotine, for this reason I have taken a little time to make this publication and explain what is .

We are in the 21st century and there is a lot but a lot of information about it, but many people do not care and follow this vice that at any moment can put an end to their lives.

So, smokers who use tobacco regularly are addicted to nicotine, the answer is yes. A study reveals that addiction is characterized by the search and compulsive use of the drug, despite the negative consequences for health. It is well documented that most smokers consider the use of tobacco as a harmful habit and express the desire to reduce or discontinue their use. Each year, nearly 35 million smokers try to kick the habit, but unfortunately, more than 85 percent of those who try to quit without help return, most in a week.

Let's start with this

What is nicotine and why is it so addictive?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Nicotiana_Tobacco_Plants_1909px.jpg/200px-Nicotiana_Tobacco_Plants_1909px.jpg

Source Image

The nicotine found in tobacco leaves. When a smoker inhales nicotine, it goes directly to the lungs and blood. In seven seconds, a quarter of the nicotine has reached the brain, through the pulmonary artery. It is a psychoactive drug and a powerful behavioral enhancer, capable of producing severe chemical dependence on the consumer. It acts according to the dose because at low doses it is psychostimulant improving the mental capacity, especially the concentration, and in high doses it has a sedative effect when it acts as a depressant.

One of the most relevant research for me was how nicotine acts in the brain to produce various effects. Of utmost importance in relation to their addictive nature are the findings that nicotine activates the brain circuits that regulate feelings of pleasure, also known as gratification pathways. One of the key chemicals in the brain involved in the desire to consume the drug is the neurotransmitter dopamine. Research has shown that nicotine increases dopamine levels in reward circuits. This reaction is similar to that observed with other drugs of abuse and is believed to be the cause of the pleasurable sensations that many smokers feel. For many tobacco users, long-term changes in the brain induced by chronic exposure to nicotine result in nicotine addiction..

How nicotine is metabolized in our body

Nicotine is metabolized in the liver by means of the group of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CIP) (enzymes that have the function of eliminating substances that are not synthesized by the body itself), and is converted to cotinine to be eliminated in the urine. In humans, 70 to 80% of nicotine is metabolized by CYP2A6, of which three variants have been identified: the normal CYP2A6 * 1, and two others associated with reduced enzyme activity. The presence of abnormal variants among smoking individuals is less frequent than among non-smokers. Those people with abnormal variants smoke fewer cigarettes a day and are more successful in detoxification.

Can be quantified in blood, plasma or urine to confirm a diagnosis of poisoning or to facilitate a forensic autopsy. Concentrations of cotinine in urine or saliva are often measured for the purposes of preemployment medical screening programs and health insurance. Careful interpretation of the results is important, since passive exposure to cigarette smoke can cause a significant accumulation of nicotine, followed by the appearance of its metabolites in various body fluids. Very important, the use of nicotine is not regulated in patients. competitive sports programs.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d1/Nicotine_metabolism.png/1024px-Nicotine_metabolism.png

Source Image

In this image we can see a urinary metabolite of nicotine, quantified as average percentage of nicotine in total urine.

Chemical preparation

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Nicotine_biosynthesis_june_2012.png/300px-Nicotine_biosynthesis_june_2012.png

.

Nicotine is a hygroscopic oily, colorless to yellowish brown liquid, which is easily soluble in alcohol, ether or light petroleum. It is miscible with water in its base form between 60 ° C and 210 ° C. As a nitrogenous base, nicotine forms salts with acids that are generally solid and soluble in water. Its flash point is 95 ° C and its autoignition temperature is 244 ° C.

Nicotine is easily volatile (vapor pressure of 5.5 ㎩ to 25 ℃) and dibasic (K b1 = 1 × 10⁻⁶, K b2 = 1 × 10⁻¹¹).

This drug is optically active, it has two enantiomeric forms. The natural form of nicotine is levorotatory with a specific rotation of [α] D = -166.4 ° ((-) - nicotine). The dextrorotatory form, (+) - nicotine is physiologically less active than (-) - nicotine. (-) - nicotine is more toxic than (+) - nicotine. & nbsp; The salts of (+) - nicotine are usually dextrorotative. The salts of hydrochloride and sulphate become optically inactive if they are heated in a closed container above 180 ° C.

With exposure to ultraviolet light or various oxidizing agents, nicotine is converted to nicotine oxide, nicotinic acid (vitamin B3) and methylamine.

relevant data

Beyond addiction, exposure to nicotine in the short and long term has not been established as dangerous for adults, except in certain vulnerable groups. In high enough doses, nicotine is associated with poisoning and is potentially lethal. Nicotine as a tool to quit smoking has a good safety record. There is no adequate research to show that nicotine itself is associated with cancer in humans. Nicotine in the form of nicotine replacement products has less cancer risk than smoking. Nicotine is related to possible birth defects. During pregnancy, there are risks for the child later in life for type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, neurobehavioral defects, respiratory dysfunction and infertility. The use of electronic cigarettes, which are designed to be refilled with nicotine-containing e-liquid, has raised concerns about nicotine overdoses, especially with regard to the possibility of young children ingesting liquids.

Conclusion

As it could be observed in the information obtained Nicotine is not a simple chemical formula that predisposes to "habit" because with precision it can be said that it is a psychoactive drug that produces addiction.Although it is legal and its use is socially accepted, nicotine is a drug with highly detrimental effects on the body, which creates dependence or addiction and creates organic conditions that diminish the quality of life of those who use it, and of those who surround

The consumption of cigarettes is a fundamentally social problem, whose solution requires a global approach, which must be raised from the political framework. Already in 1981 Sir George Young, Minister of Health of the United Kingdom, pointed out that "the solution to smoking will not be found in research laboratories, or in the operating rooms of hospitals, but in the parliaments of democratic nations." The prevention and control of the tobacco epidemic go through the awareness and social commitment of all. Only in this way will we be able to change the perception that our society has about tobacco consumption and achieve better health for all.

My advice today is that I think more about you, I did not do this post to annoy the smokers, on the contrary it is a contribution that I make to them so that they begin to reconsider and take their decisions.

It is a short but direct post, for the learning of many.

If you want more information below I will leave a video as always and references so that they can continue to gain knowledge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtmKYg8q3G8

Ref Information

Thank you for taking the time to read this publication. I hope you have a happy day, see you in the next. Do not forget to leave a comment about what you thought, thank you very much.@juanjdiaz89

https://steemitimages.com/DQmPtnKZW6cQWBAzpA8yiqTDXSsVH9zEUyxFiek2kGEoA8g/bear.gif https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmNuF3L71zzxAyJB7Lk37yBqjBRo2uafTAudFDLzsoRV5L/upvote_comment_resteem.gif