Nicotine binds with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in the brain, which affect dopamine and serotonin levels. It increases the level of these neurotransmitters. This gives the consumer pleasure and reward. The effects are short lived and this increases usage. “Addictive power is attributable to actions on the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, which serves a fundamental role in the acquisition of behaviors that are inappropriately reinforced by addictive drugs” (Volodymyr). Dopamine is involved in addiction to other drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Recent studies on 18 to 36 year old cocaine users, 90% of them in the US had smoked cigarettes (nicotine exposure). Nicotine acts just like cocaine. Once the high of the drug is gone which make the users irritable and depressed until their next
Nicotine binds with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in the brain, which affect dopamine and serotonin levels. It increases the level of these neurotransmitters. This gives the consumer pleasure and reward. The effects are short lived and this increases usage. “Addictive power is attributable to actions on the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, which serves a fundamental role in the acquisition of behaviors that are inappropriately reinforced by addictive drugs” (Volodymyr). Dopamine is involved in addiction to other drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Recent studies on 18 to 36 year old cocaine users, 90% of them in the US had smoked cigarettes (nicotine exposure). Nicotine acts just like cocaine. Once the high of the drug is gone which make the users irritable and depressed until their next