More people in the United States are more addicted to nicotine than any other drug including heroin or even alcohol. Nicotine addiction has become a big issue in the United States in terms of heavy smokers having lung cancer and deaths related to lung disease or heart failure, that were caused by smoking.
According to Dr. Daniel
McGhee, nicotine activates nicotinic receptors, which then activate brain
activity and can be rewarding and addicting for the brain. In his presentation
at Loyola University Chicago he states, “Brief exposure of
nicotine to brain slices from drug-Naïve adult rats followed by a period of
recovery resulted in an NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent increase of AMPA
receptor/NMDAR ratio in VTA DA neurons, which is consistent with the induction
of LTP”. Which means, from the experiment he conducted, he had noticed that even after a single exposure to nicotine,
there is an increase
in AMPA/ NMDA ratios in the VTA. Which can build up over time and cause the
brain to become addicted to nicotine to feel the pleasure it felt when nicotine
was injected the first time. According to McGhee’s research, plasticity starts to
occur after about 2- 4 hours after consumption of nicotine. 
ABC news reported the same finding in terms of nicotine
addiction like symptoms occurring immediately after the first or second use. Dr.
Richard Hurt, director of the Nicotine Dependency Unit at the Mayo Clinic,
confirms that they have proven that from his research teenagers showed evidence
of addiction after they had their first cigarette (.”(“Study: Nicotine Addiction Can Be Immediate” 2015).
ABC news reported that addiction also depends on who is consuming nicotine, the
amount of intake, and the susceptibility of the consumer. According to the Mayo
clinic research, “Ninety-five of the youths said they had started smoking
occasionally — at least one cigarette a month — during the study. The
scientists found that 60, or 63 percent, had one or more symptoms of
addiction.”(“Study: Nicotine Addiction Can Be
Immediate” 2015). Which of these symptoms actually occurred
within 2-3 days after the research began. Addiction symptoms can be cravings,
withdrawal, addiction to tobacco substances, and not being able to control
one’s emotions towards nicotine.
ABC news stated, “It is also possible that
adolescents could be more sensitive to nicotine and that addiction may take
longer in people who start smoking at a later age”(“Study: Nicotine Addiction Can Be Immediate” 2015).
This can relate to the idea of plasticity from Dr. McGhee’s presentation. In adolescents, plasticity occurs at a higher
rate because the brain is still not fully developed and thus more sensitive to
drugs, nicotine being one. Adults have a fully-grown brain, and thus plasticity
doesn’t occur as intensively as in children or teenagers.
If teenagers continue to consume nicotine
they will be killing themselves. Nicotine can cause cancer, especially lung
caner, since nicotine is found in cigarettes. United States has many heavy
smokers and they need to realize that it takes only one to ruin the rest of
their life. Addiction is a permanent pain to overcome, but only a temporary
pleasure.
References:
Picture 1: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/alabama-tops-list-states-addicted-smoking/story?id=20707318
Picture 3 http://drantoniohowell.com/demystifying-nicotine-withdrawal-symptoms/
Picture 4 : http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/07/why-is-nicotine-addictive/
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