Everyone knows about the dangers of smoking. But what is nicotine from the point of view of chemistry and pharmacology, what properties does this notorious substance have, a drop of which kills a horse?

The word "nicotine" originates from Latin name tobacco Nicotiana tabacum. The plant owes it to the French ambassador at the court of Portugal, and also to the scientist, Jean Nicot, who recommended tobacco to Catherine de Medici as a remedy for headaches. Later, Niko brought the plant from Portugal to France and studied its properties. In the Middle Ages, alchemists learned to obtain pure nicotine by distilling tobacco leaves. The brown oily liquid was used to treat skin diseases, asthma, epilepsy, and inflammation of the spleen. The main scientific discoveries related to nicotine were made in the first half of the 18th century and belonged to German chemists Christian Wilhelm Posselt, Karl Ludwig Reimann, Louis Melsen, and Adolf Piner. Nicotine was chemically synthesized in 1893.

Nicotine - what is it

Nicotine - what is this chemical? It belongs to the group of alkaloids - plant nitrogen-containing compounds with the properties of weak alkalis. This group includes strychnine, caffeine, quinine, cocaine and other drugs and poisons isolated by humans from plants and later synthesized artificially. Many alkaloids have a certain effect on the nervous system of humans and animals.

Nicotine is a colorless oily liquid with a pungent odor and pungent taste. During storage it becomes yellowish-brown in color. In the Middle Ages, alchemists called it “tobacco oil.” The density of nicotine is approximately equal to the density of water, it mixes well with it. With acids it forms salts that are also highly soluble in water. Chemical formula of nicotine: C10H14N2 (pyridine-3-N-methylpyrrolidine).

Nicotine is extremely toxic to cold-blooded animals and insects. At the beginning of the twentieth century, it was widely used to protect against pests as an insecticide. Later, due to the negative impact of the drug on humans and warm-blooded animals, it was replaced by artificial derivatives - imidacloprid, acetamiprid.

Where is nicotine found?

Nicotine is an alkaloid found in plants of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). The largest amount is found in tobacco leaves. The substance is synthesized in the roots, and accumulated in the leaves of the plant. The alkaloid content in dry tobacco is 0.3–5% by weight of the raw material. Other plants of the nightshade family contain it in smaller quantities:

• horsetail;
• acrid sedum;
• clubmoss

Does the human body produce nicotine? No, this substance is not involved in normal metabolism. However, under the influence of enzymes it is oxidized into nicotinic acid, known as vitamin PP (antipellagritic). Unfortunately, such an enzyme is absent in the human body and this transformation is impossible.

The effect of nicotine on the human body

Nicotine has good affinity for all tissues human body. It is absorbed by the lungs from tobacco smoke, through the mucous membranes oral cavity, from the stomach and intestines, in contact with the skin. Entering the blood, it quickly spreads throughout all organs, penetrates the brain barrier, the placenta and other biological membranes.

When inhaled, this drug is detected in the brain within 4–7 seconds. Peak concentrations in the blood are reached 10 minutes after smoking a cigarette and are halved after half an hour. During the same time, the brain is cleared of the drug.

How long does nicotine stay in the blood and provide a narcotic effect? Its content returns to the original amount after 2–3 hours, and the substance is completely eliminated from the body after about two days. How long it takes for nicotine to leave the human body can be traced by a specific marker, which is cotinine. The fact is that in the liver the drug is broken down into two molecules - cotinine and nicotine-N-oxide. The kidneys excrete these inactive metabolites in the urine. A simple test has been developed that allows one to determine cotinine in urine 1.5–2 days after smoking a cigarette, which can serve as an indicator of the presence of an addiction.

The effect of nicotine on the human body is determined primarily by its effect on nerve connections - synapses. In low concentrations, it stimulates the release of a transmitter at acetylcholine receptors, which leads to a number of effects:

As the dose increases, it blocks nerve synapses, which is manifested by depression of the central nervous system And .

Nicotine is a drug, it causes physical and mental dependence. It develops rapid addiction - the requirement to increase the dose to achieve a narcotic effect. The question of whether a person gets pleasure directly from the drug remains open, since the substance in a certain way affects dopamine transmitters in the brain, which are responsible for the pain threshold and the pleasure center. According to another version, this effect is not caused by the drug itself, but by the substances contained in tobacco smoke.

Patients with schizophrenia have an increased craving for tobacco. The question is not completely clear - there are a number of hypotheses regarding the reasons for this addiction.

Toxic effect

This is very poisonous substance. The lethal dose of nicotine for humans is 0.5–1 mg/kg, for mice it is 0.8 mg/kg when administered intravenously and 5.9 mg/kg intraperitoneally, for rats it is 50 mg/kg orally and 140 mg/kg. kg when applied to the skin. For comparison: the lethal dose of potassium cyanide is 1.7 mg/kg. When smoking, most of the drug disappears with smoke, and 20–30% enters the lungs. When chewing tobacco, this percentage is higher, but the toxin enters the human body more slowly, so peak concentrations in the blood are lower than in smokers. On average, when smoking one cigarette a person receives 1 mg of nicotine. For teenagers and children, trying to smoke even half a pack of cigarettes in a short time (2–4 hours) can be fatal. The cause of death in an overdose of nicotine is respiratory arrest due to paralysis of the respiratory center, cardiac arrhythmia, or severe depression of the functions of the central nervous system (coma).

Nicotine poisoning in case of overdose is manifested by the following symptoms:

It is very diverse for the human body. The nervous, cardiovascular, and digestive systems are affected, general metabolism and respiratory organs suffer. Here are the diseases typical for smokers:

In combination with harmful substances from tobacco smoke, nicotine affects the respiratory system, causing the following diseases:

• chronic inflammation of the larynx;
• laryngeal cancer;
• lungs' cancer.

The toxin promotes the development of inflammation of the gums and oral mucosa, and tongue cancer.

The benefits of nicotine

The substance is recognized by all scientific communities without exception as a life-threatening toxin and narcotic. Is it possible to get the benefits from nicotine as from medicine? It is no secret that many alkaloids of plant origin, including drugs, have been used previously or are still used today, as medical supplies. Currently, they are producing products designed to alleviate withdrawal symptoms in former smokers - nicotine patches, chewing gum, and the like. They have many contraindications. Thus, they cannot be used by pregnant and lactating women, patients with heart disease and peptic ulcers.

In a number of countries there are ongoing laboratory research, in which this alkaloid acts as a means for the prevention and treatment of:

So, perhaps in the near future, nicotine will be included in medications for a variety of diseases.

Summarizing all of the above, we can draw the following conclusions. Nicotine is a plant alkaloid that has a narcotic effect and acts on the human nervous system through acetylcholine receptors of nerve compounds. What does nicotine affect? It has a psychostimulating effect, causing addiction and dependence. Long-term smokers develop pathologies of the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory systems. The only reasonable and effective treatment such diseases - stop the flow of the drug into the body.

For several centuries now, humanity has been trying to fight a habit that is very dangerous and detrimental to its health, but all attempts are absolutely unsuccessful. Most smokers were never able to say goodbye to their “evil” friend, while the rest, even if they managed to develop the willpower not to take up another cigarette again, after a certain time they take up theirs again.

Most of humanity, smoking one cigarette after another, does not think about the fact that smoking can lead not only to serious illnesses, but also to death. But for some reason, for many people, this fact is not a serious reason to quit this habit forever and start a new day without a cigarette. According to statistics, the number of deaths from diseases caused by smoking exceeds 5 million people a year. Despite this, the number of smokers continues to grow rapidly, and this is truly frightening.

Surely many are aware that you should not expect pleasure from smoking a cigarette for the first time in your life. But the desire to get an answer to the question of what people experience while smoking leads to unpleasant consequences in the form of nausea, dizziness and a suffocating cough. If such symptoms did not stop a person, and he nevertheless decided to continue to “poison” his body with another cigarette, then after a short period of time he will simply not be able to stop.

In the first months of smoking, a person may experience feelings of some mild euphoria and calm. However, these sensations soon leave their “owner”, and nicotine is included in the metabolism. The human body becomes so accustomed to its presence that, in the absence of it, it begins to “nervously” give signals about the urgent replenishment of “resources”. It is at such moments that people have an irresistible desire to smoke.

It is no secret what the effects of nicotine are on the human body. The words “nicotine” and “health” are simply incomparable, and as a result of the constant “dwelling” of tar, nicotine and other harmful substances in the human body, the most irreversible consequences can occur. This:

• gradual destruction of almost all organs and systems;
• cancer cell growth;
• cell mutation.

What is nicotine

Before talking about how nicotine affects the human body, you should briefly inform readers about what nicotine is.

So, nicotine is an alkaloid synthesized in the accumulated roots and leaves of plants that belong to the nightshade family. A very large amount of this substance, which is harmful to humans, is contained in tobacco and shag. As studies have shown, small amounts of it are also found in such familiar human foods as:

• potato;
• eggplant;
• tomatoes;
• Green pepper.

Operating principle

To fully understand the effect of nicotine on humans, it is worth considering the principle of its effect. Already at the first inhalation of tobacco smoke, nicotine is instantly distributed throughout the human body through the bloodstream. 7-8 seconds are enough for this substance to enter the brain. The physiological protection of the central nervous system from various harmful microorganisms does not interfere with the free movement of nicotine, and it overcomes this barrier absolutely without problems.

The first “testers” of the harmful effects of nicotine are acetylcholine receptors. The mechanism of action of tobacco smoke is such that their activity increases, and this, in turn, leads to a rapid release of adrenaline into the blood. This manifests itself, first of all, in a change in a person’s emotional background. He begins to feel a surge of vigor, strength, and excitement. There comes a moment of psychological relaxation, lightness and happiness.

Consequences of exposure

You can understand how harmful nicotine is by considering its effect on certain systems of the human body, and what consequences this can lead to.

Poisoning the body with nicotine

Poisoning is one of the most dangerous aspects. Yes, an excessive dose of nicotine can lead to sudden poisoning , and its symptoms are as follows:

Such signs appear if a person smokes a pack of cigarettes for a very short period of time (2-3 hours). Poisoning can be so high that paralysis of the entire respiratory system occurs, and it ends in death. Therefore, if a person experiences such symptoms, it is recommended to immediately call a doctor.

Pregnancy and nicotine

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful moments in a woman’s life, but even after learning about her interesting situation, the fairer sex does not give up this bad habit. But smoking during this period is fraught with unsafe consequences for the developing fetus. Nicotine accumulates in the blood, and this leads to abnormal development of the placenta, and after a certain period of time, its detachment occurs, which can cause fetal death.

For some reason, most women are confident that smoking will not harm the fetus in the first trimester, but they are deeply mistaken. Statistics say that most miscarriages occur in women who smoke in the first three months of pregnancy.

However, nicotine addiction can have a negative impact not only during the period of pregnancy, and not even after its birth. During pregnancy, it leaves its mark on the future health of the baby, and it can manifest itself in such “painful” consequences for the child as:

• "cleft" lip;
• Wolf heart;
• underdevelopment of the respiratory system;
• clubfoot.

All of these listed pathologies occur against the background of insufficient oxygen and nutrients, so necessary for the full development of the baby. As a result of mommy's smoking, all metabolic processes are disrupted, which inhibits the development of the nervous system, brain and other important organs of the unborn baby.

Every person knows for sure that smoking causes irreparable harm to his body, but not every person is able to cope with this harmful habit. People need to remember that by smoking they harm not only themselves, but also the people around them. Smoking has ruined quite a few lives, so it’s better to overcome yourself, show perseverance and willpower to give it up once and for all.

Almost everyone knows the toxic effect of nicotine on the human body. There are tens of millions of smokers in the world. Thousands of people die every year from various diseases (lung cancer, heart attack) that develop as a result of smoking. Cigarettes contain many toxic substances. The best known of these is nicotine.

How does nicotine affect a person?

People who smoke are more susceptible various diseases. Nicotine is an oily liquid that has a bitter taste. This substance is toxic to humans. The lethal dose of nicotine is 0.5-1 mg/kg. This substance belongs to neurotoxins and cardiotoxins. Smoking affects all systems of the human body.

The effect of nicotine is to disrupt the function of internal organs. Smoking is a risk factor for the development of the following pathologies:

• stomach ulcers;
• chronic gastritis;
• chronic inflammation of the pancreas;
• erectile dysfunction in men;
• infertility;
• complications during pregnancy;
• increased blood glucose levels;
• hypertension;
• hypovitaminosis;
• atherosclerosis;
• inflammation of the arteries of the lower extremities;
• heart failure;
• myocardial infarction;
• acute cerebrovascular accident;
• angina pectoris;
• coronary disease hearts.

The most harmful to the body are nicotine and various tars contained in cigarettes. They call cancer diseases larynx, oral cavity, lungs. The negative effects of nicotine are manifested by the development of gingivitis and stomatitis.

Nicotine and the reproductive system

The negative effect of nicotine on the reproductive system has been established. In men, this is manifested by a decrease in potency, impaired erection and spermatogenesis, the development of infertility and cancer. prostate gland. Nicotine and other toxic compounds (carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, benzopyrene, tars) cause oxygen starvation of brain cells.

The centers for regulating sexual function are located there. Nicotine disrupts the production of gonadotropic hormones, which leads to a disruption in the formation of seminal fluid. Smokers experience a decrease in sperm density, a decrease in the number of germ cells and a decrease in their motility. Most often the impact on reproductive system men are manifested by impotence.

There are many women among smokers. Many girls start smoking at school. This is very harmful. Gynecologists know how nicotine affects the body. This substance reduces the level of prolactin, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone in the blood. Many smokers have problems menstrual cycle. It has been found that women who smoke are 8 times more likely to develop infertility. The ability to conceive a baby is also impaired.

Nicotine affects the body of pregnant women. This substance affects the fetus as follows:

• increases the risk of sudden infant death;
• promotes the development of birth defects;
• causes hypoxia;
• reduces breathing rate;
• leads to intrauterine growth retardation;
• leads to premature birth.

Pregnancy needs to be planned. For this purpose, you need to quit smoking 1-2 years before conception.

Nicotine and indigestion

Nicotine is bad for the digestive system. The teeth, lips, oral mucosa, pharynx, esophagus, stomach and intestinal mucosa, liver, gallbladder and pancreas. Nicotine, together with other substances contained in smoke, activates the development of gastritis. This occurs as a result of irritation of the organ mucosa.

Nicotine disrupts gastric motor function. Smoking 1 cigarette slows down the digestion of food several times. Secretion of enzymes, pepsin and of hydrochloric acid decreases. Gradual atrophy of the glands occurs, which is a sign of chronic atrophic gastritis. The latter often leads to stomach ulcers. These diseases are precancerous and often cause malignant tumors.

Some smokers have a decreased appetite. This often becomes the reason for weight loss. The harm of nicotine to teeth is undeniable. This substance leads to yellowing and blackening of the enamel, the development of caries, gingivitis and stomatitis. The effect of cigarettes on the pancreas manifests itself in the form of inflammation. This happens especially often with the parallel use of alcohol.

Effect on the heart and blood vessels

The most dangerous effect of nicotine on the cardiovascular system is for the human body. This is mainly due to a violation of nervous and humoral regulation. It is the obstruction of blood circulation that causes early death in smokers. It has been established that nicotine reduces life expectancy by 10-15 years. The mechanism of action of nicotine is associated with increased production of adrenaline and norepinephrine.

This leads to an increase in heart rate by 20-25% and a narrowing of peripheral blood vessels. Constant vasospasm causes the development of arterial hypertension. Nicotine reduces prostacyclin production. The latter dilates blood vessels. Smoking leads to a deficiency of calcium, which is necessary for muscle contraction.

Smoking for 3-5 years leads to a decrease in the elasticity of blood vessels, cardiac hypertrophy, and the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques.

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of coronary heart disease. Smokers have a 2-fold higher risk of developing a heart attack compared to non-smokers. As a result of smoking, obliterating endarteritis often develops.

How else is nicotine dangerous for humans?

The negative effect of nicotine on the human body is manifested by dysfunction of the nervous system. This substance is a powerful neurotoxin. Nicotine excites and then depresses the nervous system. Such people often complain of decreased memory and attention, headache, dizziness. Heavy smokers often develop neuritis, polyneuritis and radiculitis.

Possible loss of vision and hearing. Nicotine is a narcotic drug. It causes mental and physical dependence. In the absence of cigarettes, the smoker's condition worsens. This is called withdrawal syndrome. Mental dependence gradually develops. This is a strong craving for nicotine and the achievement of mental comfort while smoking.

Smoking has become a big problem nowadays. Everyone knows that it is harmful, yet many continue to smoke. Nicotine contained in cigarettes, even in small doses, has a detrimental effect on the body. The problem is that not everyone understands what nicotine is and exactly how it affects human health. Let's look into this issue!

general characteristics

So nicotine is an alkaloid found in plants of the nightshade family. Largest quantity This substance is observed in tobacco, but there are 66 other crops that contain it to a lesser extent. Nicotine is found in small quantities even in vegetables such as tomatoes, bell pepper, potatoes and eggplant.

In dry tobacco, nicotine can range from 0.3 to 5% by weight. Its biosynthesis occurs in the roots, and accumulation occurs in the leaves. Nicotine is a colorless, oily liquid. It boils at a temperature of 247.6 °C and darkens very quickly when exposed to air. At temperatures of 60-210 °C, nicotine is partially dissolved in water. And at temperatures below 60 and above 210 °C it mixes well with water.

The name "nicotine" appeared in honor of Jean Nicot, who was the French ambassador to the Portuguese court. In 1560, he sent Queen Catherine de Medici some tobacco as a remedy for migraines. In addition to migraines, they treated rheumatism, asthma, toothache and wounds.

Nicotine and humanity

Many will ask: “Why smoke it?” The fact is that smoking is not only an addiction to nicotine, but also a habit of keeping oneself busy with something. Therefore, for those who cannot quit this crap just like that, you can do it smoothly by replacing a simple cigarette with an electronic one.

Conclusion

So, we are once again convinced that smoking causes irreparable harm. But besides nicotine, cigarettes also contain a lot of harmful substances. Therefore, it is better to learn to please yourself with other things and depend on something more pleasant, for example, on love, as in the song “Former Nicotine.” We wish you good health!

Even a short period of smoking causes chronic nicotine intoxication. Harmful compounds and toxic resins accumulate in the human body. Under their negative influence, the functional activity of all vital systems decreases. Carcinogens contained in tobacco are especially dangerous. These substances provoke cellular mutation, which results in the formation of benign and malignant tumors. The negative effects of nicotine on the human body have long been known and well studied. But people continue to smoke because of a well-established mental and physical addiction.

How nicotine works

Nicotine is an alkaloid of organic origin, which is synthesized in small quantities in the roots of plants of the nightshade family and accumulates in their leaves and stems. Pharmacologists know the compound as a powerful toxin that damages heart muscle tissue, blood vessels and brain. Smoking tobacco not only destroys healthy cells and causes their mutation, but under the influence of nicotine many chronic diseases and new pathologies arise.

Eggplants, green peppers, potatoes and tomatoes contain small doses of the toxic compound. Therefore, narcologists advise all people who decide to break a bad habit to reconsider their diet. The number of cigarettes smoked will be significantly reduced with constant consumption of salads and stews made from these vegetables.

After entering the human body, nicotine is absorbed into the blood and within a few seconds ends up in the central nervous system. It easily overcomes all biological barriers, including the blood-brain barrier. The toxic substance accumulates in internal organs, brain, bone tissue. With each cigarette smoked, the concentration increases, and the poisoning of the body by nicotine intensifies. Under the influence of carcinogens, cells change at the genetic level, and their number also increases:

• division of healthy cells leads to the formation benign tumors– polyps and cysts:
• the division of damaged and deformed cells provokes the formation of cancerous tumors.

Experts say that a smoked cigarette contains fewer toxic compounds than its smoke. There is such a term - “passive smoking”. Nicotine is especially dangerous for children and adolescents. A person addicted to cigarettes puts not only himself, but also the people around him at risk. Family members under the influence of nicotine also form tumors or develop pathologies, just like the smoker himself.

Trying to quit a bad habit, some people begin to use snorting and chewing tobacco. This not only does not help to quit smoking, but also strengthens the addiction. The concentration of nicotine and toxic tars in these types of tobacco far exceeds the amount of toxic compounds in cigarettes.

Nicotine in the human body begins to affect specific acetylcholine receptors. An increase in their activity provokes increased production of stress and joy hormones - epinephrine and adrenaline. They are released into the blood and transferred to the central nervous system, causing a person to:

• feeling of slight excitement;
• feeling of cheerfulness, a surge of strength;
• euphoric state;
• relaxation.

When smoking a cigarette, a person feels pleasure and even happiness. This occurs under the influence of the pleasure hormone dopamine. This is how psychological and physical dependence on nicotine is formed. The person tries to experience euphoria again and reaches for a cigarette. Scientists have isolated and synthesized enzymatic compounds that can reduce the harm of nicotine, breaking it down into harmless (usually beneficial) substances. nicotinic acid. But there are no such enzymes in the human body.

Heart and blood vessels

The harm of nicotine on the heart and blood vessels has been well studied. Penetration of cigarette smoke increases the load on the myocardium, veins, arteries and capillaries. Biological production decreases active substances, nervous and humoral regulation is upset. The heart rate increases and peripheral vessels constrict. If nicotine enters the body regularly, then of cardio-vascular system There is practically no relaxation stage. This leads to rapid wear of the blood vessels, their damage, and in especially severe cases, loss of integrity. Various complications develop:

• blood viscosity increases;
• the risk of blood clots increases;
• blood supply to tissues is disrupted.

Smoking affects the heart, but developing arterial hypertension is also dangerous. High blood pressure causes arrhythmias, strokes and heart attacks. A person often begins to feel dizzy, blood rushes to the upper part of the body, and lethargy and apathy appear. Arterial hypertension can provoke an increase in pressure in the renal vessels, which leads to a decrease in the functional activity of the urinary system.

Gastrointestinal tract

Even the smallest amount of nicotine has negative impact on the mucous membrane of organs digestive system. The following are subject to destruction:

• teeth and gums;
• stomach;
• intestines;
• liver and gall bladder.

The main reason for the development of gastric pathologies is slow digestion. Products remain in the hollow organ for a long time, which leads to increased production of aggressive hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Digestive enzymes and caustic juice damage epithelial cells. In a person with a long history of smoking, the negative process affects the deeper layers of the gastric walls. Their inner surface is deformed and growths form on it.

Smokers are rarely diagnosed with acute gastritis; they immediately take chronic form, which refers to precancerous conditions. The body loses its ability to neutralize pathogenic microorganisms. Viruses and bacteria enter the ulcerated mucous membrane, forming infectious foci. They gradually enlarge and become the cause of a dangerous inflammatory process - peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum. All smokers develop:

• slow digestion;
• death of beneficial microflora in the intestines;
• chronic constipation or diarrhea.

The beneficial bacteria inhabiting the intestines are replaced by pathogenic microorganisms. The absorption of vitamins and microelements decreases, which has a bad effect on appearance person. His nails begin to peel, his hair falls out, and his skin loses its elasticity and firmness. Many women who resort to smoking do not think about this as a effective method lose weight.

Nicotine can reduce appetite, but only for a short time. The metabolic processes of fats, proteins and carbohydrates are gradually distorted - body weight begins to increase. As a result, the person gains weight, but is no longer able to quit smoking due to the developed psychological and physical dependence.

The liver is located in close proximity to gastrointestinal tract and over time begins to feel the negative effects of nicotine addiction. She experiences increased stress due to indigestion, so her tissues are damaged. The liver is one of the most important biological filters of the body - a decrease in its functional activity under the influence of nicotine affects other vital systems.

Airways

Tobacco smoke is the main cause of the development of nonspecific respiratory diseases. Constant intake of nicotine damages the mucous membranes of the trachea, pharynx, bronchi, bronchioles. The alveolar walls lose their elasticity, become rough and swell. Why is nicotine harmful? A person who smokes is more likely to develop:

• Chronical bronchitis;
• bronchial asthma;
• laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the chronic cough of a smoker. A significant amount of toxic compounds and toxic resins accumulate in the human body per day.

As soon as he gets out of bed, the smoker begins to cough violently. This is how purification occurs respiratory tract from harmful substances. The cough subsides only by noon and starts again in the morning. If a person decides to get rid of a bad habit, his lungs will clear only after a few months.

The effect of nicotine on the lungs is extremely negative. Under its influence, emphysema may develop, pathological condition, which is characterized by unnatural expansion of the lungs. Each cigarette smoked reduces their functional activity, and this seriously increases the likelihood of tuberculosis. Nicotine damages the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness and hoarseness.

Reproductive organs

Nicotine affects the human body regardless of gender. According to statistics, many women and men start smoking at an early age, before having children. Poisonous resins act directly on the organs that are responsible for reproduction. The genitals of the stronger sex are especially vulnerable to toxic compounds from cigarettes.

Smoking causes distortion of spermatogenesis, reduces potency, and predisposes to the development of prostate cancer. This is facilitated by impaired blood supply to the pelvic organs due to the accumulation of harmful substances in the vessels.

Despite the fact that the harm of nicotine is confirmed by scientific research, many women continue to smoke even while pregnant. The tars contained in tobacco reduce the production of prolactin-like protein. Protein is responsible for the cyclicity of menstruation, supports in good condition hormonal background women. Its disorder can lead to infertility, which is not always treatable.

Toxic compounds easily penetrate through all barriers, so a smoking mother seriously endangers not only her health, but also her unborn child. The negative effect of nicotine on the body of a person who was not born is difficult to overestimate:

• risk increases sudden death and congenital anomalies;
• the brain is exposed to oxygen starvation;
• the lungs do not receive enough oxygen;
• the possibility of asphyxia increases;
• the risk of mental and physical development lag increases;
• Premature birth is possible.

After the baby is born, he receives nicotine through breast milk. Studies have shown that, despite excellent heredity, smoking can cause a malfunction at the genetic level. The molecular structure of DNA is disrupted and children are born with disorders of the nervous system. Undoubtedly, this will negatively affect brain activity and will guarantee poor learning. According to statistics, a child of a smoking mother has a significantly higher craving for cigarettes than his peers.

Brain and nicotine

The effect of nicotine on the nervous system is only negative, because all the substances included in its composition are neurotoxins. From the lungs, toxic compounds enter the blood, causing reflexive compression of blood vessels. The brain begins to lack molecular oxygen. Blood circulation in the central nervous system is disrupted, which, despite its complex organization, is not stable. Small doses of nicotine lead to its excitation, and large doses inhibit the activity of neurons.

The activity of not only the central but also the peripheral nervous system is disrupted. An inflammatory process develops in the nerve trunks, and a person develops:

• irritability;
• apathy, lethargy, fatigue;
• drowsiness;
• headaches and migraines.

Doctors strongly recommend that people with neurological disorders quit smoking. Even inhaling tobacco smoke aggravates the disease and delays recovery for a long time. The effect of nicotine on the brain is not limited to just reducing physical activity. A person has memory problems, which negatively affects his professional activities. This is based on a distorted transmission nerve impulses, dysregulation.

About the benefits of nicotine

Like most alkaloids, nicotine also has some positive effects on the human body. For example, scientists have proven that the frequency of attacks in schizophrenics who smoke is lower than in those who smoke healthy image life. This disease occurs against the background of insufficient production of proteins that are responsible for connections between neurons. A person with schizophrenia experiences anxiety, visual and auditory hallucinations, emotional instability. The benefit of nicotine for the body of such people is to normalize protein production and reduce the severity of the disease.

Nicotine is useful because it can suppress cravings for drugs. Based on it, tools may soon be developed to help get rid of drug addiction. Nicotine is also used medically as an antidote for ricin poisoning and to treat Parkinson's disease.