nicotine
Cigarette's addictive chemical
Nicotine is the addictive chemical compound found in tobacco that makes cigarettes and other tobacco products hard to quit.
It acts as a stimulant, raising heart rate and blood pressure while triggering dopamine release in the brain.
Nicotine itself is not what causes lung cancer or emphysema—those come from tar and other combustion products—but it keeps smokers coming back.
Nicotine patches help wean smokers off cigarettes gradually.
State of needing another
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- cravingPowerful urge to have
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- habit-formingCausing repeated compulsive use
cessation · relapse · rehabilitation · patch · gum · lozenge · compulsion · smoking
Reward-linked neural messenger
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
- acetylcholineNeurotransmitter for muscles and memory
- reward pathwayNeural circuit mediating pleasure
synapse · brain chemistry · neural · cognitive · binding · cholinergic · ganglia · central nervous system
Active mental awareness
- buzzContinuous low drone
- focusConcentrated attention point
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- wakefulnessState of being conscious
arousal · energy · stimulation · cognitive enhancement · appetite suppression · metabolism · heart rate · blood pressure
Toxic agent targeting pests
- pest controlManaging unwanted organisms
- fumigationDisinfection via airborne chemicals
- aphidsSap-feeding garden insects
- organic pesticidePlant protection from nature
Harmful substance exposure
- overdoseHarmful excess intake
- lethal doseAmount causing death
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
- vomitingExpelling stomach contents orally
seizure · ingestion · toxic · carcinogen · secondhand smoke
dependence
State of needing another
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- cravingPowerful urge to have
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
habit-forming · cessation · relapse · rehabilitation · patch · gum · lozenge · compulsion · smoking · vaping
dopamine
Reward-linked neural messenger
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
- acetylcholineNeurotransmitter for muscles and memory
reward pathway · synapse · brain chemistry · neural · cognitive · binding · cholinergic · ganglia · central nervous system · neuroplasticity
alertness
Active mental awareness
- buzzContinuous low drone
- focusConcentrated attention point
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
wakefulness · arousal · energy · stimulation · cognitive enhancement · appetite suppression · metabolism · heart rate · blood pressure · vasoconstriction
insecticide
Toxic agent targeting pests
- pest controlManaging unwanted organisms
- fumigationDisinfection via airborne chemicals
- aphidsSap-feeding garden insects
organic pesticide · neurotoxin · horticulture · toxicity · natural pesticide
poisoning
Harmful substance exposure
- overdoseHarmful excess intake
- lethal doseAmount causing death
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
vomiting · seizure · ingestion · toxic · carcinogen · secondhand smoke
- Substancesmatter, elements, compounds, molecules, atoms
- EponymsDarwinian, Alzheimer's disease, Freudian slip, cardigan, Parkinson's disease
- smokingsmoking, cigarette, cigar, pipe, lighter
- chemical compoundsacetone, aldehydes, amines, esters, ketones
- drugsibuprofen, marijuana, aspirin, meth, cocaine
- Neuroactive Drugsdopamine, serotonin, GABA, acetylcholine, norepinephrine
nicotinemelatonin
Circadian rhythm regulator
alcohol · sedatives · sedative · depressant · depressants
nicotineantioxidants
Substances counteracting oxidative damage
vitamins · nutrients · fresh air · medicine · health supplements
- nicotine gumMedicated chew for withdrawal
- nicotine patchesSkin-worn cessation aids
- nicotine patchMedicated adhesive delivering stimulant
- nicotine addictionDependence on tobacco's stimulant
- nicotine replacement therapyPharmaceutical smoking cessation aid
- nicotine withdrawalSymptoms from stopping smoking