Why is not easy to quit smoking? Because nicotine is an addictive drug. It is addictive because it causes a compulsive urge to smoke.
When inhaled nicotine is taken, is absorbed mainly through the lungs (70% -90%, depending on inhalation, then each smoker), but within seconds, reaching the receptors of the nervous system and the primary effects are fast.
At low doses, nicotine is a stimulant and improves mental ability.
At high doses, has sedative effects, because it acts as a depressant.
But over time, these neuroreceptor are adapting to nicotine, while increasing the amount inhaled. Remember that the first cigarettes were not even nice.
On the other hand, as an addictive drug that is, nicotine causes tolerance.Nicotine addiction makes us dependent on snuff. Nicotine causes physical dependence, and makes the smoker to smoke so as to absorb the amount of nicotine that your body needs. The removal of nicotine causes withdrawal.
Psychic dependence is linked to the social unit, which are associated with various enjoyable activities to smoking, so it is even automatically link an action with snuff consumption, making it an indispensable tool for daily life.
Addictive drug
A substance addictive when there is a loss of control over drinking behavior, and at the same time causes psychoactive effects that further enhance its consumption.
* Table of criteria for drug dependence or Primary criteria
+ Uncontrolled or compulsive consumption.
+ Psychoactive effects.
+ Behavior reinforced by the substance.
or
Additional criteria. The addictive behavior usually include:
+ Stereotypical patterns of consumption.
+ Use despite harmful effects.
+ Relapse after abstinence.
or
Dependence-producing substances tend to cause:
+ Tolerance.
+ Physical dependence.
+ Euphoric effects.
