Nicotine and How it Works

• Studies have shown that nicotine addiction can be as hard to break as heroin or cocaine addiction.
• Nicotine is known as a “reinforcing” drug, which means that users desire the drug regardless of the damaging effects.
• Within seconds of the first inhalation of a cigarette, nicotine enters the brain where it triggers the release of dopamine, resulting in an immediate reward sensation.
• Nicotine causes several physiological reactions:
  • Acute increase in heart rate and blood pressure
  • Brain waves are altered and muscles relax