Nicotine in cigarettes: addiction or habit?

Nicotine addiction is a complex phenomenon involving both physical and psychological factors. Within 72 hours of smoking the last cigarette, nicotine should have been eliminated from the body, but nicotine addiction can persist long after tobacco use.

There are several reasons why smokers can still feel addictive even after 72 hours. Firstly, tobacco consumption can cause a psychological dependence, linked to the habits and rituals associated with smoking, such as lighting a cigarette after a meal or during a break from work.

Second, tobacco use can cause changes in the brain that make it difficult to quit smoking. Nicotine acts on receptors in the brain, increasing the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that causes feelings of pleasure and well-being. Over time, the brain can become less sensitive to dopamine, increasing nicotine addiction.

Additionally, nicotine withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and cravings for a smoke, can last several weeks or months after the last use of tobacco. These symptoms can make it difficult to quit smoking and maintain abstinence.

In summary, nicotine addiction is a complex phenomenon involving both physical and psychological factors. Even 72 hours after the last use of tobacco, addiction can persist due to habits and rituals associated with smoking, changes in the brain, and nicotine withdrawal symptoms. To overcome nicotine addiction, nicotine replacement products such as e-cigarettes can be helpful.

Nicotine in cigarettes: addiction or habit?

How much nicotine does the body absorb with traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes?

The body can absorb nicotine differently depending on its source, but also on the technology and method of use.

Regarding the dosage of nicotine, a smoker consuming a traditional cigarette can take approximately 1-2 mg of nicotine per cigarette. On the other hand, e-liquids can come in different strengths of nicotine, which can range from a few milligrams to over 20 mg per milliliter.

If a person takes 10mg of nicotine in a traditional cigarette and then uses an e-cigarette with the same nicotine dosage, the body may absorb the nicotine differently depending on the technology used and how it is used.

Traditional cigarettes use tobacco combustion, which means that the chemicals in the smoke can be absorbed through the respiratory tract and pass directly into the blood. On the other hand, e-cigarettes use a vaporization technology that produces an aerosol that can be inhaled. In this case, the nicotine contained in the liquid for electronic cigarettes can be absorbed in a lower dosage, compared to traditional cigarettes, through the respiratory tract and the oral mucosa.

Furthermore, the body may absorb nicotine differently depending on how the e-cigarette is used, such as the type of device used, the duration and intensity of the inhalation, and the frequency of use.

In summary, the body can absorb nicotine differently depending on the source of origin and the technology used. Although a traditional cigarette and an e-cigarette may contain the same dosage of nicotine, the way nicotine is absorbed by the body can vary depending on the technology used and how it is used.