Environmental Bridges and Nicotine
Marissa L. Ciluffo
University of North Alabama
Abstract
Nicotine is an addictive parasympathomimetic alkaloid that is found in products such as cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and snuff. When someone consumes nicotine, either through smoking, inhaling, or chewing, specific neurotransmitter actions take place within the body and brain. Acetylcholine is replaced by nicotinic receptors, in the neurons, causing the membrane to become depolarized. This continuous action is what caused nicotine dependency. A smoker, for instance, who is addicted to nicotine, will experience behavioral actions that affect their mental performance, body weight, and stress. The developing environmental bridges are the key source to having an addiction, regardless if it is to nicotine or not. These bridges, or gateways, are what makes it exceedingly difficult to restrain from using nicotine. Nicotine can be administered through smoking a cigarette or cigar, chewing tobacco or snuff, and inhaling using a hookah. Aside from …show more content…
Psychologists who have studied smokers and their performance have noticed that frequent cigarette smokers have a higher motor skills and a more focused attention span than people who do not consume nicotine (Heishman, 1999, p. 143). When a avid cigarette smoker experiences withdrawal from the nicotine, their performance will become impaired and their attention and cognitive ability decreases. Thus, this lack of ability to concentrate is what drives a cigarette smoker to want to smoke again, in order to regain mental stability. This same concept applies to those individuals that consume nicotine from various products, such as chewing tobacco. The withdrawal from the nicotine is what decreases the concentration and motor skills and when the void is filled, the nicotine user will feel more
Marissa L. Ciluffo
University of North Alabama
Abstract
Nicotine is an addictive parasympathomimetic alkaloid that is found in products such as cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and snuff. When someone consumes nicotine, either through smoking, inhaling, or chewing, specific neurotransmitter actions take place within the body and brain. Acetylcholine is replaced by nicotinic receptors, in the neurons, causing the membrane to become depolarized. This continuous action is what caused nicotine dependency. A smoker, for instance, who is addicted to nicotine, will experience behavioral actions that affect their mental performance, body weight, and stress. The developing environmental bridges are the key source to having an addiction, regardless if it is to nicotine or not. These bridges, or gateways, are what makes it exceedingly difficult to restrain from using nicotine. Nicotine can be administered through smoking a cigarette or cigar, chewing tobacco or snuff, and inhaling using a hookah. Aside from …show more content…
Psychologists who have studied smokers and their performance have noticed that frequent cigarette smokers have a higher motor skills and a more focused attention span than people who do not consume nicotine (Heishman, 1999, p. 143). When a avid cigarette smoker experiences withdrawal from the nicotine, their performance will become impaired and their attention and cognitive ability decreases. Thus, this lack of ability to concentrate is what drives a cigarette smoker to want to smoke again, in order to regain mental stability. This same concept applies to those individuals that consume nicotine from various products, such as chewing tobacco. The withdrawal from the nicotine is what decreases the concentration and motor skills and when the void is filled, the nicotine user will feel more