Nicotine
*To look into
CONTD in History of
Nicotine for E-Cigarette addition
Nicotine is a variable drug, often legally available most commonly in cigarettes, and less commonly in cigars, hookah, and tobacco pipes.
Being the first drug I have committed to never consuming again in its most common form: a cigarette, I will attempt to complete this specific drug profile before all the others :).
Common Names: Nicotine - found in: Cigarettes, Cigars, Hookahs (Shisha), Chewing
tobacco, Electronic cigarettes, and Tobacco pipes.
Cigarettes (Slang) –
Smoke, bone, butts, coffin nail, cancer sticks, fags [DEApar 2012]
Chemical Name: (S)-3-(1-Methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridine [EroN
2007]
Classifications: Stimulant, Relaxant, Numbing agent
OUTLINE
-Basic Introduction
of the Drug
-Informs the reader of
the general background of this drug, usually focusing on the current world
-History of the Drug’s Use
-History of the Drug’s Use
-A brief guide to the
history and use of the drug
-Legal Status
-What is the legal
availability of this drug?
-(SSS)Testing your Drug
and Handling your drug
-Doing an actual reagent
test on your substance, taste testing, smell, sight, etc
-Ways to ensure the
substance you have is the substance you want
-Handling your drug
without harming the contents or losing potency
-Method of Ingestion
-How is this drug safely
consumed or ingested?
-Central Effects of the
Drug and Side Effects. What is the recommended dosage?
-How much of the drug is
needed for consumption
-What are some of the
desirable effects of the drug?
-What are some
undesirable effects?
-Are there lingering
long-lasting side effects
-(SSS) Long Term Effects
-Are there lingering long-lasting side
effects
-Mechanism of Action –
How does this Drug work in the body? [Physical (Physiological) and Mental
(Psychological) effects]
-What are some of the
physiological effects on the body?
-How does the drug
affect the brain?
-Which neurotransmitters
are impacted?
-Recommended Uses and
Doses (Varies by person)
-Addiction and
Withdrawal
-Addiction profile of
the drug. Is it physically or mentally addictive?
-What are the withdrawal
effects?
-Dangers of combining
this Drug with other Drugs
-When mixing drugs, which
combinations are most dangerous with this drug
-Allegedly enjoyable
Drug Combinations with other Drugs (USE SAFETY WHEN COMBINING DRUGS)
-Enjoyable Drug
Combinations
-Medicinal Uses
-What has this drug been
found to be beneficial for medicinally?
-Detection in Biological
Fluids (Drug Testing)
-How can this drug be
best detected in the body? For how long?
-Personal Experiences
-Personal experience I
have on the drug
-Friendly Experiences
-Experiences that close
friends of mine have had on the drug
-Other notable
experiences
-Experiences that others
may have had on the drug, i.e. Sasha Shulgin, Terrence McKenna
-Useful Facts
-Are there any extra fun
or useful facts about the drug that seem to be missing?
-Sources
-Sources of information
on the drug.
-Basic
Introduction of the Drug
Nicotine is a
psychoactive alkaloid that is commonly administered through smoke inhalation
(smoking) or chewing leaves of the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacam and
Nicotiana rustica). Nicotine has a long history of use in its natural form and
remains a widely-accepted and commonly used psychoactive substance, despite its
highly addictive nature linked to severe health problems. Anti-smoking
regulations and media campaigns have substantially reduced use of Nicotine in Europe
and North America in the last 20 years [EroN 2015(1)]
“Whether smoked or
chewed, nicotine is one of the most highly addictive drugs used in today’s
society – and addiction is extremely hard to break” [DEApar 2012]. While usage
may have declined for middle school and high school students compared to
previous generations according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), even so, over 19% of high school students were cigarette
smokers in 2009, as were 5.2 percent of middle school students. It is illegal
in all states to sell tobacco to persons under the age of 18. “Smoking
continues to be the single leading preventable cause of death and disease in
the United States, so it’s important to establish your household as one where
tobacco use is NOT tolerated” [DEApar 2012].
If this drug is the
leading cause of preventable death in the United States, it amuses me why this
drug is still legal and also so widely available almost wherever you go in
America.
-History
of the Drug’s Use
In terms of the plant
itself, paleontologists have found evidence of tobacco that dates back to the
Pleistocene Era (2.5 million years ago) in northeastern Peru. As far as human
use of tobacco, although small amounts of nicotine may have been in Old World
plants and Nicotiana Africana, and nicotine metabolites have been found in
human remains and pipes in the Near East and Africa, there is no indication of
regular tobacco use in the Ancient world, on any continent except the Americas.
In 6000 BCE, tobacco experts believe that the tobacco plant began growing in
the Americas [TobHis 2011] [TobHis 1999].
Tobacco was believed to
be a cure-all, and was used to dress wounds and also as a pain-killer. Chewing
tobacco was believed to relieve the pain of a toothache [TobHis 1999].
Circa 1 BCE, experts
believe American inhabitants may have begun finding ways to use tobacco by
smoking, chewing, or even in hallucinogenic enemas (by Peruvian Aguaruna
aboriginals) [TobHis 2011]. As of c. 1 CE tobacco was growing nearly everywhere
in the Americas [TobHis 2011].
In 470-630 CE, the Mayas
began to scatter. The Aztecs borrowed the smoking custom from the Mayas who
remained behind. Two castes of smokers emerged among them. In the Court of
Montezuma, there were some who mixed tobacco with the resin of other leaves and
smoked pipes at ceremonies in their evening meal. The other caste was the
lesser Indians, who rolled tobacco leaves together to form a crude cigar. The
Mayas spread their custom to nearby tribes. In Central America, a complex
system of religious and political rites was developed around tobacco [TobHis
2011].
From 600-1000 CE in
Guatemala the first pictorial record of smoking was found. A pottery vessel was
found that dates before the 11th century. A maya is depicted smoking a roll of tobacco leaves tied
with a string. The Mayan term for the smoking of tobacco was sik’ar [TobHis
2011].
In October 1492,
according to Christopher Colombus’ journal, dried tobacco leaves was offered as
a gift from the American Indians that were encountered [TobHis 2011] [TobHis
1999]. Amerigo Vespucci noticed that American Indians had an interesting habit
of chewing green leaves mixed with a white powder. Gourds were carried around
their necks to mix these substances together and create a chewing tobacco
[TobHis 2011].
During the period of the
1500’s, tobacco use spreads throughout parts of Japan, Brazil, Spain, Mexico,
Cuba, Canada, France, and Portugal [TobHis 2011]. Medicinal uses begin to arise
as tobacco is mentioned in several books, in regions such as Germany and Spain.
Monardes who wrote the first book on Tobacco in Spain lists 36 health maladies
that tobacco helps to cure [TobHis 2011] [TobHis 1999].
In 1604 King James I
increases import tax on tobacco 4,000% from 2 pence per pound to 6 shillings
and 10 pence per pound [TobHis 2011].
This period is also
around the time that the dangerous effects of smoking tobacco were being
realized by some. Francis Bacon in 1610 noted that trying to quit the bad habit
was quite difficult [TobHis 2011] [TobHis 1999].
Also during the this
time, businesses start being built around this plant. Tobacco was being used as
a currency in 1619. In Spain the world’s first tobacco processing plant
was constructed in Seville [TobHis 2011].
Some countries take
Tobacco use very seriously such as Russia and threaten the death penalty to any
caught smoking. In Switzerland, the Berne town council establishes a special
chamber to deal with smokers, who face the same dire penalties as adulterers
[TobHis 2011].
Tobacco further develops
in the 1700’s. In Virgina, economically, Tobacco notes become legal tender. The
leaf itself was in use as currency for more than a century, but now having a
note of Tobacco as representation made it easier. In 1759 George Washington
gained 17,000 acres of farmland and with over 300 slaves in total harvests his
first tobacco crop. The British were unimpressed and it caused Washington to go
into debt. In 1763 Patrick Henry gave a speech that historians believe was in
part a prelude to the American Revolution. As for the American Revolution
itself in 1776, it was financed in part by tobacco. In the 1790’s, Lorillard
creates the US’s first national ad campaign by distributing its posters via
post office.
During the 1800’s the
essential oil (essence of tobacco) is isolated. In the mid 1800’s the Mexican
War led US soldiers to bring back from the Southwest a taste for the darker,
richer tobacco that was flavored in different Latin countries. This led to an explosive
use of the cigar. The south however remained rather firmly attached to chewing
tobacco. In Europe during the Crimean War (1850’s) British soldiers learn how
cheap and convenient the cigarettes used by the Turkish allies are and bring
the practice to England. Fire safe cigarette patents also arise around this
time. As for the American Civil War, the federal US tax on tobacco helped pay
for the war and yielded about three million dollars. This culminates in 1864 to
the first American cigarette factory opening and producing nearly 20 million
cigarettes. As of 1889 the dangers aren’t too well known still as lung cancer
was only documented in about 140 cases worldwide [TobHis 2011]
Throughout much of the
early 1900’s, the cigarette takes a much stronger hold on Americans and in
different parts throughout the world. In 1904 the first laboratory synthesis of
nicotine is reported. Tobacco was previously listed in the US Pharmacopoedia
which listed drugs at the time, however it was removed in 1905 to get support
of tobacco state legislators for the Food and Drug Act off 1906 (FDA act of
1906) [TobHis 2011]
As the US joins World
War I, cigarette rations determined market share and was a great boost to Camel
which had over a third of the domestic market. Virtually an entire generation
return from the war addicted to cigarettes. It was said that tobacco was needed
“as much as bullets” to win the war – it was required in rations. More cases of
lung cancer come about shortly after the war when a multitude of soldiers had
become addicted. In 1925, Philip Morris’ Marlboro targets “decent,
respectable” women indicating how Marlboros now ride in “many limousines,
attend many bridge parties, and repose in so many handbags”. As for more
advertising, in 1928 Edward Bernays mounts a “freedom march” of smoking
debutantes and fashion models who walk down Fifth avenue during the Easter
parade dressed as Statues of Liberty holding aloft Lucky Strike cigarettes as
“torches of freedom” to glamorize smoking to women and increase the market
[TobHis 2011]. This is also mentioned in a North Korean documentary entitled
Propaganda as “torches of liberty” instead as smoking was usually associated
with prostitutes. This got the view shifted into the spotlight of women
expressing their “freedom” [NorKorP xxxx].
The US has the highest
per capita smoking rate so far of 977 cigarettes in 1930. Also in this year,
2,357 cases of lung cancer were reported. The lung cancer death rate climbs to
3.8 per 100,000. However, also during this year, Britain has the highest rates
of lung cancer in the world. Dr Raymond Pearl of Johns Hopkins University makes
a forml report to the New Academy of Medicine that smokers do not live as long
as nonsmokers. His findings were printed in the Science News Letter. Consumer
reports rates cigarettes in 1938 and finds that Chesterfields and Marlboros
have a high nicotine content with 2.3mg of nicotine while Old Golds and Camels
have a relative nicotine content of about 2mg per cigarette [TobHis 2011].
As part of the war
effort in World War II, Roosevelt makes tobacco a protected crop. Cigarettes
are included in rations. Tobacco consumption is so fierce a shortage begins and
by the end of the war cigarette sales are at an all-time high. Throughout the
1940s a few studies surface from various regions indicating the health hazards
of cigarette smoking, such as in Germany spawning a harvest of “nicotine-free
tobacco” in this region. Casablanca is released in 1942 which features a good
deal of smoking undoubtedly has an impact on the audience watching to induce
smoking. As of 1948 lung cancer has grown 5 times faster than other cancers
since 1938 and it is now the most common form of the disease [TobHis 2011]
Reader’s Digest and Good
Housekeeping either refuse smoking ads or most anti-smoking ads in their
periodicals in the early 1950’s, being some of the first to do so. The
cigarette companies fight back and sponsor ads that dispute evidence that
cigarette smoking causes lung cancer. Also during the 1950’s studies emerge
showing the connection between mothers who smoke and infants with low birth
weights of that have complications. As of 1964 there are 70 million smokers in
the US and tobacco is an 8 billion dollar a year industry. In 1965, 42.4% of
people in America were smokers. In 1969, non-smoking sections appear on
aircraft as there is a divide between smokers and non-smokers who know it to be
hazardous to their health in some cases [TobHis 2011].
In 1970, it was said
that Cigarettes are the most heavily advertised product in America. In 1971
cigarette companies agree to put health warnings on advertisements – this is
later made into law. Nixon also declares a “War on Cancer”. In 1980, the CDC
releases a statement showing that 33.2% or about one in every three Americans
is a smoker. This number has declined over past decades. Also in this year,
Superman II aired, and while Lois Lane never smoked cigarettes in any of the
comics, she is depicted chain smoking Marlboro Lights throughout the film among
a range of other Marlboro advertisements. This likely boosts sales for Marlboro
and may have contributed to the Consumer report of 624 billion cigarettes being
sold in the US in 1982 – the highest number ever [TobHis 2011].
In 1984, the 1965
Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act is amended to require that one
of the four warning labels listed appears in a specific format on cigarette
packages:
SURGEON GENERAL’S
WARNING: Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, and may
complicate pregnancy
SURGEON GENERAL’S
WARNING: Quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health
SURGEON GENERAL'S
WARNING: Smoking By Pregnant Women May Result in Fetal Injury, Premature Birth,
and Low Birth Weight.
SURGEON GENERAL'S
WARNING: Cigarette Smoke Contains Carbon Monoxide.
In 1985 Lung cancer
surpasses breast cancer as the number one killer of women [TobHis 2011].
According to the 19th Surgeon General’s report on cigarettes, the
health consequences of involuntary smoking found that non-smokers in the
proximity to smokers could also become vulnerable to disease (second-hand
smoking). And by 1988, the 20th Surgeon General’s Report on “The Health Consequences of smoking:
Nicotine Addiction” find that in 2,000 studies of nicotine and its effects on
the body, it is declared, “It is now clear that … cigarettes and other forms of
tobacco are addicting and that actions of nicotine provide the pharmacologic
basic of tobacco addiction.” By 1990, the total number of smokers was about
25.5% according to the CDC. And also during this year US tobacco companies
revise their advertising code and promise not to pay for movie product
placement. [TobHis 2011].
In 1991 it was
discovered that 91% of 6-year olds in a study can match Joe Camel to his
product (cigarettes), and is as recognizable by preschoolers as Mickey Mouse. A
secondary study in this year finds that since the inception of Joe Camel in
1987, Camel’s share of the under-18 market had risen from .5% to 32.8%. In
1992, for smokers aged 12-17, a survey found that 70% said if they had to do it
over again they wouldn’t start smoking and 66% said they wanted to quit. Also
at this time the nicotine patch is introduced as a form of smoking cessation.
MacDonald’s bans smoking in all 11,000 of its restaurants in 1994. Also, “The
List” of 599 cigarette additives is released [TobHis 2011].
It took until 1995 until
the FDA declared nicotine a drug. In 1996 the CDC adds prevalence of cigarette
smoking as a nationally notifiable condition, bringing to 56 the number of
diseases and conditions that are designated b Council of State and Territorial
Epidemiologists (CSTE) as reportable by states. This is the first time a
behavior instead of a disease or illness has been nationally reportable. In
1997 48 million Americans still smoked and 34 million said they wanted to quit
[TobHis 2011].
In 1999, China’s annual
cigarette volume was around 1.6 trillion cigarettes while the US had around 415
billion sticks. By the year 2001 it was found that the top tobacco exporters by
countr were Brazil (17%), the US (10%) followed by Zimbabwe (9%), China (6%)
and India (5.6%). The CDC estimates smoking health and productivity costs reach
150$ billion a year in 2002. The CDC estimated the total cost of smoking at
about 3,391$ a year for every smoker with an itemized per pack cost of 7.18$
per pack. Several other states ban smoking in the early 2000’s in public places
such as bars and restaurants [TobHis 2011].
The climb of the
E-Cigarette will be the next focus
CONTD
-Legal Status
Nicotine is available
over-the-counter in different forms and in different stores. In March 2000,
according to U.S. Supreme Court the FDA does not have jurisdiction over
tobacco. Other non-smoking nicotine containing products like nicotine gum are
regulated differently. In most states it is illegal to distribute cigarettes to
individuals under a certain age. Nicotine is sold in pesticides in many
countries and is therefore regulated under completely different rules for
products not intended for human consumption [EroN 2015 (2)].
Tobacco is a separate
page on Erowid. Tobacco products are unscheduled in the United States and are
legal for adults to both sell and possess. It is against the FDA to sell
products to those under the age of 18. Interestingly, it is not federally
illegal for those under 18 years of age to purchase or possess tobacco… only
for stores to sell them. When the FDA tried to put “frightening” labels to
tobacco products, including horrifying pictures of black lungs and other
diseases, the FDA was sued by tobacco corporations and the proposed rule was
stricken down [EroT 2015 (2)].
-Testing your Drug and
Handling your drug
For drugs such as this
that are legally accessible, it is most easy to test your substance. You simply
go to your local corner store that sells cigarettes and purchase cigarettes. No
formal testing required. There is nicotine in these cigarettes (unless you
somehow found herbal or nicotine-free cigarettes).
I suppose you could send
the cigarette into a lab for testing, but why? It won’t make it any healthier.
To find out how much nicotine is in your specific brand of cigarettes,
extensive googling is needed. There is nicotine in cigars, in shisha, and in
electronic cigarettes, unless it specifically says “nicotine-free”.
I do not believe much
more needs to be said here.
As for handling your
drug, it seems to be up to personal preference for how cigarettes are stored
after they are opened. My friend has found a pack that was left in an old car
of mine for several months, and when he smoked them he mentioned they were just
a bit dry, but still were effective.
According to various
smokers on a smoking forum that supports smoking, some users say that they do not
enjoy cigarettes past the fifth day of an open pack. Others say that the pack
can last for a month, but for what it seems it all comes down to personal
preference [GoodSmoke 2014].
-Method of Ingestion
So how is nicotine
administered or ingested? As was stated above, nicotine can be smoked,
vaporized, or chewed.
While a cigarette is lit
at the opposing side from the filter, a person will usually press their lips to
the filter and inhale to pull a smoke of nicotine into their lungs.
Nicotine can also pass
transdermally (through the skin) via the nicotine patch, or sublingually when
chewing nicotine gum or chewing tobacco. All of these methods are successful at
delivering nicotine into the blood stream.
-Central Effects of the
Drug and Side Effects. What is the recommended dosage?
What are some of the
most desired effects? From experience and consulting with those nearby me, the
desired effect usually tends to be relaxation or mild stimulation. When some
smokers are confronted with a stressful situation, I have often heard the
phrase, “I need a cigarette!” almost exasperatedly, depending on the severity
of the stressor. They seem to be trying to self-medicate an anxiety that they
are confronted with.
I have also witnessed
people start their day with the “morning cigarette” or perhaps during work or
school as a form of stimulation.
As stated in the “Method
of Action” segment above, nicotine can stimulate dopamine and norepinephrine
which both provide positive feelings; dopamine being the pleasure-reward
receptor in the brain [PharmNic 2009]. This is backed up further in a Psychology Today article. “Recent research has shown how nicotine
acts on the brain. Nicotine activates the circuitry that regulates feelings of
pleasure, the so-called reward pathways” [PsychNico 2014].
The article goes on to
describe more of the pleasurable effects of nicotine that the smoker may be
looking for. Due to the indirect release of dopamine that controls pleasure and
motivation, a smoker may experience these desirable effects that are seen in
other profiles of drugs that are abused such as cocaine and heroin. It is
thought to underlie the pleasurable sensations many smokers experience.
Nicotine can also exert a sedating effect depending on the level of the
smoker’s nervous system arousal and the dose of nicotine [PsychNico].
As for the side effects,
which I often look at as less-than desirable effects, people may find
themselves experiencing mouth sores, blisters, nausea or a sore throat. Some
less common side effects include a sour stomach, belching, diarrhea, heartburn,
hiccups, problems with teeth, or unusual tiredness [NicoSide xxxx].
-Long term effects
The long term effects
are often known among users and non-users. Blackening of the lungs, yellowing
of the finger nails, and shortness of
breath, but there is also a list of common diseases that may occur in those who
are long term cigarette smokers [LongCig 2014].
A lifetime smoker is at
a high risk for developing several lethal diseases such as cancer of the lung,
mouth, nose, tongue, larynx, nasal sinus, oesophagus, throat, pancreas, bone
marrow, kidney, cervix, ovary, ureter, liver, bladder, bowel and stomach [LongCig
2014].
Lung diseases such as
chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes
obstructive bronchiolitis and emphysema may also be prevalent [LongCig 2014].
Ulcers in the digestive
system and osteoporosis may happen with long-term smoking [LongCig 2014].
Sometimes seen in
non-smoking commercials on television are people showing fingers or other apendages
amputated from poor blood circulation in the feet and hands. Only severe cases
tend to warrant gangrene and thus amputation [LongCig 2014].
-Mechanism of Action –
How does this Drug work in the body? [Physical (Physiological) and Mental
(Psychological) effects]
How does Nicotine
function as a drug in the body? What neurotransmitters are affected? And what
are the resultant effects?
Nicotine sustains
tobacco addiction, which is a major cause of disability and premature death
[PharmNic 2009]. Nicotine binds to nicotinic cholinergic receptors,
facilitating neurotransmitter release which mediates the complex actions of
nicotine in tobacco users. Dopamine, glutamate, and gamma aminobutyric acid
(GABA) release are important when looking at the development of nicotine
dependence. Corticotropin-releasing factor appears to contribute to nicotine
withdrawal. Smoking harms almost every organ of the body, but quitting smoking
at any age leads to significant reductions in the risks associated with it
[PharmNic 2009].
As for the actual
mechanism of action, nicotine is a tertiary amine consisting of a pyridine and
a pyrrolidine ring. (S)-nicotine, found in tobacco, binds stereoselectively to
nicotinic cholinergic receptors (nAChRs). (R)-nicotine, found in small
quantitites in cigarette smoke owing to racemization during the pyrolysis
process, is a weak agonist at nAChRs. When cigarette smoke is inhaled, nicotine
is distilled from tobacco and carried in smoke particles into the lungs, where
it is absorbed rapidly into the pulmonary venous circulation. It then enters
the arterial circulation and moves quickly to the brain. Nicotine diffuses
readily into brain tissue, where it binds to nAChRs, which are ligand-gated ion
channels. When a cholinergic agonist binds to the outside of the channel, the
channel will open, which allows the entry of cations, including sodium and
calcium. They further activate voltage-dependent calcium channels, allowing
further calcium entry [PharmNic 2009].
Brain imaging studies
demonstrate that nicotine acutely increases activity in the prefrontal cortex,
thalamus, and visual system, which is consistent with activation of the
corticbasal ganglia-thalamic brain circuits. Stimulation of central nAChRs by
nicotine allows for the release of a variety of neurotransmitters in the brain,
most importantly dopamine. Nicotine causes the release of dopamine in the
mesolimbic area, the corpus striatum, and the frontal cortex. What is of
particular importance is the dopaminergic neurons in the bentral tegmental area
of the midbrain, and the release of dopamine in the shell of the nucleus
accumbens, as this pathway appears to be critical in the drug-induced reward
given by nicotine consumption. Other neurotransmitters, including
norepinephrine, acetylcholine, serotonin, y-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate,
and endorphins are released as well which mediate the behaviors of nicotine
[PharmNic 2009].
Dopamine release signals
a pleasurable experience, and is critical to the reinforcing effects of
nicotine and other drugs of abuse. Acute nicotine administration increases
brain reward function. Likewise, nicotine withdrawal is associated with
significant increases in intracranial self-stimulation reward threshold,
consistent with deficient dopamine release and reduced reward [PharmNic 2009].
***move paragraph?
As for a different take
on the mechanism of action, I quite like the way a Psychology Today article worded a sentence on the substance of
cigarettes, “A cigarette is a very efficient and highly engineered
drug-delivery system. A smoker can get nicotine to the brain very rapidly with
every inhalation. A typical smoker will take 10 puffs on a lit cigarette over a
period of 5 minutes. Thus, a person who smokes about one-and-a-half packs (30
cigarettes) each day gets 300 nicotine hits to the brain daily. These factors
contribute considerably to nicotine's highly addictive nature” [PsychNico
2014]. I found it remarkable that the cigarette was referred to as a drug
delivery system
-Addiction and
Withdrawal
Nicotine dependence is
heritable and genetic studies indicate roles for nicotinic receptor subtypes as
well as genes involved in neuroplasticity and learning. Use of nicotine
sustains tobacco addiction, which in turn causes devastating health problems
such as heart disease, lung disease, and cancer [PharmNic 2009].
The vast majority of
smokers in the United States indicate an interest in quitting, but
despite this fact, approximately 80% of smokers who attempt to quit on their
own relapse within the first month of abstinence, and only approximately 3%
remain abstinent at six months. This helps illustrate the powerful force of
tobacco addiction and the chronic nature of the disorder [PharmNic 2009].
Nicotine withdrawal is
associated with a negative emotional state, including anxiety and the perception
of increased stress, which may represent powerful stimuli to relapse to tobacco
use [PharmNic 2009].
Depending on how long a
person has smoked for, after quitting, withdrawal symptoms persist. These
symptoms usually peak in intensity 3-5 days after quitting smoking and usually
disappear after two weeks, but some symptoms may be residual and persist for
several months. There are both physical and mental difficulties.
Withdrawal symptoms should be treated accordingly, just as you would with
an illness or disease.
Physical symptoms
include:
-Tingling in the hands
and feet
-Sweating
-Intestinal disorders
(cramps and nausea)
-Headaches
-Sore throat, coughing,
and possibly signs of a cold [NyTiWithD 2013].
As for Mental and
emotional symptoms, tensions and cravings build up during periods of
withdrawal, sometimes to a nearly intolerable point. Nearly every
moderate-to-heavy smoker experiences more than one of the following strong
emotional and mental responses to withdrawal
-Temper tantrums,
intense needs, dependency feelings
-Insomnia
-Mental confusion,
vagueness, or difficulty concentrating
-Irritability,
restlessness, anger, anxiety
-Depression in some
cases
The first signs of
nicotine withdrawal seem to appear within 30 minutes of a smoker’s last
cigarette. These findings were first published in Psychopharmacology and are
believed to be the first to show just how early nicotine withdrawal can occur
[NyTiWithD 2013].
Something not discussed
as often when quitting cigarettes are potential long-term depression. In the
short term, feelings of grief as severe as the loss of a loved one may be felt.
A smoker should plan on a period of actual mourning to get through the early
depression withdrawal. Smoking cigarettes may mask depression, leaving the now
non-smoker more depressed than before. For some smokers, the future physical
damage incurred by smoking is an abstraction, which fails to motivate quitting
when measured up against real emotional pain triggered by nicotine withdrawal
[NyTiWithD 2013].
As for a personal
opinion, speaking from past experience, I never smoked a pack of cigarettes a
day, at least not consecutively. I may have gone through over a pack of
cigarettes in a night while under the influence of drugs (including alcohol),
but the highest I may have labeled myself was a “half-pack a day” smoker and
even that period was very brief (perhaps a few weeks/months. I am unsure
exactly). Cigarettes were always one of my least favorite drugs after discovering
that there were others. I did enjoy the head-rush, but the “high” never really
got me “high,” and I always felt the toxic effects. Instant throat burn, just
knowing there were chemicals. If I was on other drugs, the cigarettes may
seemingly enhance the effects of drugs which is why it is sometimes so
difficult for drug addicts to quit smoking cigarettes as well.
One video I found
particularly helpful in smoking cessation was a stop-smoking-now kind of video.
It details someone who has smoked for many years who was able to put down the
habit immediately by looking at smoking much differently – by taking a look at
the things people find positive in cigarettes: relaxation, calmness, and
stimulation and realizing that all these things actual contribute to tremendous
negatives in cigarettes smoking.
Quit Smoking Advice –
Allen Carr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TL2Vh7goJc
-Dangers of combining
this Drug with other Drugs
Personally, I have
combined cigarettes with a significant amount of substances or substances and
suffered no immediate ill-effects (dangers), other than the fact that the
cigarettes are bad for you. I have used psychedelic drugs, opioids, stimulants…
and many other substances relatively safely while smoking cigarettes. No
immediately severe or ill effects were noted. In fact, boosted effects of the
main drug I was under the influence of may have been boosted in some cases, but
more on that in the later section about positive drug combinations.
One combination that was
noted was that a cigarette smoked while using a nicotine patch could cause
harmful effects. Depending on the nicotine dosage of the patch and cigarette
respectively, a nicotine overdose could occur. This could lead to sweating, a fever,
and even make some users pass out. This is all heavily dependent on tolerance.
In some extreme cases it could cause a heart attack. I only found this
information out while asking random people that I have never met on the
internet, but who are experienced with cigarettes and nicotine patches. I do
not know for certain how reliable this information is.
I do have one friend
that I have spoken to personally tell me that she forgot she was wearing the
patch, and lit up a cigarette while driving. She said she began to feel as
though she were “tripping”. I have heard of this upon some light reading on the
material. High doses of nicotine can produce significantly mood altering and
perception altering effects, but is there any real danger?
I then consulted a major
nicotine patch distributor’s website. The product being NicoDerm CQ.
One question is “Can I
smoke while wearing the NicoDerm CQ patch?” and the answer the website provides
is that, “The FDA has determined that there are no significant concerns when
using NRT products like NicoDerm CQ at the same time as another
nicotine-containing product like a cigarette” [NicoDerm xxxx].
I found this information
rather interesting, as it completely contradicted what some of my acquaintances
had just told me.
Further research is
needed or reports from other individuals
-Allegedly enjoyable
Drug Combinations with other Drugs (USE SAFETY WHEN COMBINING DRUGS)
From personal
experience, and when counseling with close friends we have found cigarettes
produce a heightening of some drug effects, particularly with amphetamine based
drugs or opioids. The combined head rush given by nicotine alongside the
effects of the drug might allow a user of combined products to experience a
heightened effect.
In fact, with opioids
and opiates, there is a biological cross that increase in the amount of opioids
in the brain. This could be why so many heroin users also enjoy nicotine.
***Get source later***
-Medicinal Uses
Noted
above in the history of nicotine was how nicotine was thought to have a great
many medicinally beneficial uses throughout the 1500’s up until sometime in the
1800’s for various uses. We now know that nicotine is extremely toxic – and
this is widely known, even by most smokers and advocates of smoking.
There are
however, two “medicinal” uses, and I struggle to say this because there is
definitely more harm than help here. As for the first one, there is a mild
laxative effect of cigarette smoking. I have found that sometimes when there is
no urge to void my bowels, in the past when smoking a cigarette I find that I
need to make a trip to the bathroom either halfway through a cigarette or
shortly after!
Interestingly,
nicotine is actually currently prescribed for people with Ulcerative Colitis.
Although the study cited in the following article was from 1994, it was found
that nicotine was an effective treatment in treating Ulcerative Colitis for
providing bowel regulation [UlcNico 2010]. It was also noted however, that in
treatment for Crohn’s Disease, this would exacerbate the severity of the
condition, so careful diagnosis is much needed [UlcNico 2010].
The
second arguably medicinal use has been eliminating canker sores faster (NOT
cold sores). From past experience, while I was smoking I found that the
duration a canker sore remained inside my mouth was minimal when I smoked more
cigarettes. Note, I am NOT advocating cigarette smoking to relieve canker
sores! There are far better ways to rid canker sores quickly! There was a
friend of mine, who when he asked me how to get rid of a canker sore, and I
replied with “smoke cigarettes” began taking up cigarette smoking and developed
an addiction. It would upset me to find out others took this sentiment and took
up smoking as a result!
In an
article by FreySmiles of the Oral Health Network some causes of mouth ulcers
are noted. Trauma, stress, certain foods and hormonal imbalances can cause
canker sores (mouth ulcers) on the inside of the mouth. Interesting tobacco
smoking has been shown to lower the severity and prevalence of these ulcers
among heavy smokers compared to moderate smokers. Some people report the onset
of mouth ulcers upon smoking cessation. Even in smokeless tobacco and
nicotine-containing tablets there is a reduced frequency of canker sores. It
seems to be the nicotine itself that is eliminating canker sores [CankNico
xxxx].
-Detection in Biological
Fluids (Drug Testing)
It is
possible for nicotine to be tested for in a drug test. Some employers are doing
this, especially some who are paying for the health insurance of their
employees as smokers can rack up higher costs. One article in particular points
out that nicotine testing is most often done for those who work in a hospital environment
[NicoTest 2013].
I suppose
I can see what this article is going for, as those who may be in a hospital and
treated for illness would hope their doctor would be healthy, however I do
believe people should be able to do whatever they want as long as they are
being respectful and their behavior is not harming others.
A study
from Ohio State University indicated that smokers cost their company an
estimated additional $6,000 per year in relation to non-smokers [NicoTest
2013].
Legally,
the only state that directly prohibits mandatory nicotine or tobacco testing,
but it is also noted that at the National Conference of State Legislatures, it
is reported that at least 29 states and the District of Colombia have statutes
that protect employees from adverse employment actions based on their
activities outside of work, which include smoking [NicoTest 2013].
As for
how the test works, it is pointed out that nicotine the drug itself has a small
window of detection to just a few hours, which is why cotinine is a more
practical substance in body fluids to test for. The detection window for
cotinine is about 4-7 days and it is considered relatively inexpensive to
administer this test. Cotinine can also be tested for in those who use nicotine
patches and nicotine gum [NicoTest 2013].
-Personal Experiences
I have sampled several
kinds of nicotine substances. I was a cigarette smoker on and off for about 3-4
years. I have decided to quit smoking cigarettes, and perhaps all nicotine
substances.
The first puff I had of
a cigarette was in the basement of a college party my freshman year of school.
I was a bit intoxicated from alcohol and I remember wanting to feel like I fit
in. There was a friend of mine who was also intoxicated and he was saying that
the head rush you get from puffing on a cigarette while intoxicated was
pleasurable. Later, I found that I agreed with him in some respects. However,
at that first puff of the cigarette, it tasted unpleasant and I didn’t really
enjoy it. I repeated this gesture of smoking cigarettes at college parties and
eventually bought my first pack of cigarettes. My first pack was a Marlboro Red
pack - a notoriously heavy cigarette (as considered by some cigarette smokers
I’ve encountered). I couldn’t even smoke the entire cigarette! It gave me a
massive head-rush, akin to a “high” in a manner of speaking. I do not believe
this pack caused me to become a smoker, and I vaguely recall googling to see
how long it could take to become addicted to cigarettes. The answer I found was
rather consistent – it depends on the individual.
I came to enjoy
cigarettes for a time. I smoked while I was high on cannabis or intoxicated on
alcohol at parties. I found it enjoyable, there were friends of mine who did
it, and it felt like a thing for me to do to take up time. If I were stressed,
cigarettes were always there to try to take a load off.
When I was a child of
about six or seven, my parents would explain how my aunt and uncle who smoked
were hurting themselves. They had tried to explain addiction to me, but being
as young as I was I did not fully understand. I always thought that I would be
able to start smoking cigarettes and easily quit and prove that it was not
difficult. Interestingly I did acquire some level of nicotine addiction for a
time, and recently stopped for good.
Fortunately, I wrote an
experience report before I stopped, as one thing I like to do with drugs is
look at them experimentally and document how they affect me. A cigarette is not
much different.
DOCUMENTED EXPERIENCE I
Time of experience:
January 2014. I recall not having smoked a cigarette for about a week before
having this cigarette deciding I would write a report on my “last cigarette’ –
despite this, I resumed smoking shortly after this event! Baring this in mind,
I had some ill feelings towards cigarettes going into this which may lead to
some bias in the experience report.
A word-for-word
transcription follows of the historic event. Commentary will be added in
brackets [ ] and unquoted to indicate it as an addition to the report
“Time: 17:06,
Temperature: 15 degrees F outside, sun is setting, a rather clear day
Mood: Heavy, unsure,
unfocused, distracted” [This was a time in my life where I was confused about
my future and struggling to “discover” myself so to speak]
“Dismantling the
cigarette
Pre-do: I haven’t smoked
a cigarette in over… 10 days or more, with no genuine desire to feel its
effects. I do like the act of smoking in itself, but the feeling after a
cigarette is rather meh. Although, today I’d like to try a “write as I go” with
the cigarette. I’ve heard cigs can be more addictive than heroin, as a type of
convenience and ease of access. Smoked on/off about 1.5-2 years
Feelings: Decent
headspace, a lot to think about today, mildly hungry, but feeling okay.
Cigarette is a Camel Crush, which has a ball to burst to add additional
menthol, but I don’t think I’ll burst it. Someone had suggested I write the
drugs. I’ve tried a few, now the cigarette
Examination: As if never
seen, the cig looks like a little stick cylinder, I would like not enjoying the
physical act of smoking so much lol, but I will just try it.
Setting: Car, with heat
on, outside is ~15 degrees F, no music, I might close my eyes a bit and see how
I feel.
@5:27 on car, how will I
feel…? hmm
Base Time (T) 0:00:
Blech weird burnt taste lol
Burns the back of the
throat a bit
~1 second inhale to the
lungs
T + 1 minute: Tingles
around the body a bit, toes have a numbness from the cold. A slight relaxation
comes over, and a mild anxiety. A ### number calls randomly that is
unrecognizable. Wtf”
[The timing of this was
really bothersome as I had committed to this report already. I politely told
the telemarketer “no thank you” and hung up]
“T + 3 minutes: Closing
my eyes ruins the fun of smoking! Half done, deeper inhales, more leg/foot
tightness/numbness
T + 5 minutes: A little
heart racey anxiousness
T + 5 minutes: Done,
slight unpleasantness, fresh air breaths feel better, but foot sleepiness is
still felt.
___” [A line is drawn
before continuing as at this point the cigarette has been finished]
“T + 7 minutes: Leakage,
slight edginess, yawn. That was overall quite unenjoyable lol.
T + 8 minutes: Cough up
some mucus awkward desire for another cigarette… burp (T + 9 minutes)
Strange awareness,
sounds from outside sounded a bit distant. Cold feet.
T + 11 minutes: Walk
back inside, still edged feeling. I want to not feel this non-clarity. Lower
intestinal feeling like I-need-to-shit sensation. Snot rocked some loose mucus.
Body chilled
T + 12 minutes: Toe
extremities still numb – cold + cig.
T + 13 minutes:
Shitting, still feel the heart non-rhymically” [Sp? Haha]
“T + 14 minutes: Hunger
still present, but altered in a strange way. Awkward confused state. Feel like
I should somehow mitigate this poison.
T + 15 minutes: Sounds
are still a bit off/distant/misplaced mucus dislodging from nose, ot in the
helpful way. Vision a little fuzzed when focusing on a door. Feeling
vasoconstricted throughout experience.
T + 18 minutes:
Baselining, still a bit anxious feeling, feet noticeably coldish
T + 21 minutes: Still a
bit off, feet circulation returning a bit. Now gonna make some food stuff.
T + 30 minutes and
beyond: Hydrating helps circulation, still the awkward uneasiness, I guess
that’s what a no-nicotine tolerance does.
___” [Another blank line
drawn on written report before giving final thoughts]
“Feeling a bit
distracted, bit of a waste of time in a way, but it was helpful to see the
experience written.”
This concludes the
experience.
Follow up of experience.
After retyping what I had typed over a year ago, it is amazing how clearly I
was able to bring the experience back to resurface in my mind! I almost felt as
though I were back sitting in my warm car again. I have been told from a
previous psychopharmacology teacher that nicotine improves memory. Perhaps this
could be a contributing factor to why this resurfaced so easily.
In comment, I did enjoy
about the first minute or two. The *instantaneous* gratification of the
cigarette was enjoyable. But the next 20 minutes after smoking were somewhat
less enjoyable, giving unpleasant side-effects as well as the desire for
another cigarette very soon after smoking the first one!
Overall, a highly “not
worth it” experience and it was mildly agitating, but I am quite glad it
happened because now I can share it with any who may be interested
END OF EXPERIENCE REPORT
1
-Friendly Experiences
EXPERIENCE REPORT
BEGINNING [Friend 1]:
4/6/15 - 11:17 AM
Initial craving
manifested around 20 minutes after waking up.
Cigarette Brand:
Marlboro 83
Setting: Backyard, Sunny
day, ~52 degrees Fahrenheit.
T0:00 - First few pulls are mildly enjoyable; my
initial craving to smoke is satisfied.
T1:00 - The taste does not mix well with the residual
tooth paste from brushing my teeth.
T2:00 - Sudden urge to purge my bowels. It's hard to
ignore the need to use the bathroom. The smoke is beginning to feel harsher on
my throat. I feel mildly uncomfortable.
T3:00 - Halfway through the cigarette now, I'm half
inclined to put it out. The laxative effect seems to have slightly subsided,
but the urge is still there.
T3:30 - My mouth is noticeably dry, with a not so
lovely taste on my tongue from the smoke. The smell is pervasive, sticking to
my fingers which I'm not particularly fond of.
T4:00 - Reaching the end of the cigarette now; each
pull feels progressively harsher on the back of my throat and less desirable.
T5:00 - The last few pulls bring on the expected head
rush from the first cigarette of the day.
___Cig Finished___
T6:00 - Fresh air fees nice to breathe, though my
through still feels a bit tight. The smell has stuck to my fingers and hoodie
and it smells pretty gross.
T6:30 - The headrush has an effect on my visuals, not
enough to impair me, but enough to be uncomfortable and slightly dizzy.
The room seems to be spinning. I have to sit for a minute to regain a sense of
normalcy.
T7:00 - Already considering a second cigarette as my
oral fixation doesnt seem satisied; the cigarette didnt last long enough. My
hands need something to do while sitting outside.
__________________________
Things I've noted -
The laxative effect felt
from a cigarette seems only amplified when combined with coffee/caffeine, as
does the satisfaction of smoking.
The head rush described
at around the 7th minute occurs predominantly in the morning with my first
cigarette and much less often throughout the remainder of the day.
I'm more likely to chain
smoke a couple cigarettes upon waking up than i am at any other point in the
day. Despite the undesired head rush, one cigarette does not suffice at times.
-Overall, in spite of
smoking on average a pack a day, I find the act of smoking a cigarette to be
more discomforting than satisfying. It leaves a foul taste and smell, hurts my
throat and lungs, and at times leaves me feeling dizzy. Yet, why do I smoke? I
find it incredible how I can logically decide that cigarettes are in no way
entirely enjoyable or positive but still can't manage to kick the habit.
END OF EXPERIENCE REPORT
[Friend 1]
-Other notable experiences
Alexander Sasha Shulgin
was documented in an interview discussing MDMA and how it can be used as a
social drug, much like most other drugs.
“Q. Do you think there
is a social use for MDMA?
A. Is there a social use
for MDMA? Is there a social use for alcohol, which is lethal, or tobacco, which
is also lethal? Yes. MDMA has for different people, different types of rewards,
just like other drugs. Is there a reward for caffeine? Yes, but it's not
necessarily the stimulant aspect of it. It's the community aspect of sharing a
cup of coffee. You have this with marijuana. You have this with almost any drug
that can play some role in establishing a rapport between people.”
While he is not
describing a direct experience with nicotine, Sasha Shulgin does note in this
brief comparison of different substances that tobacco and alcohol are both
lethal relative to coffee, marijuana and MDMA. He is openly calling two of the
three commonly used *legal* intoxicants as being lethal.
This could be one of the
reasons some of his patented drugs were used for the treatment of nicotine
addiction [NYTShulg 2014].
-Sources
EroN 2015
Nicotine
https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/nicotine/
Author: Erowid.org, Date
Published: 23 May 2007, Updated: 10 Feb 2015, Date Accessed: 26 March 2015
(1)
https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/nicotine/nicotine_basics.shtml
(2)
https://erowid.org/chemicals/nicotine/nicotine_law.shtml
EroT 2015
Tobacco
https://erowid.org/plants/tobacco/
Author:
Erowid.org. Date Created: 28 July, 1998, Date Modified: 10 Feb, 2015
(1)
https://erowid.org/plants/tobacco/tobacco_law.shtml
DEApar
2012
Growing
Up Drug Free – A Parent’s guide to prevention
http://www.dea.gov/pr/multimedia-library/publications/growing-up-drug-free.pdf
Author:
U.S. Department of Justice, DEA, and U.S. Department of Education Date
Published: October 2012
TobHis
2011
The
Tobacco Timeline
http://archive.tobacco.org/History/Tobacco_history.html
Author:
Gene Borio, Date Published: ©1993-2011
TobHis1999
History
of Tobacco
http://academic.udayton.edu/health/syllabi/tobacco/history.htm#begin
Author:
Vernellia R. Randall, Date Updated: 31 August, 1999
NorKorP
xxxx
“Propaganda”
Documentary by North Korea, view of the West (Americas) and their propaganda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEGMJE6I_Q4
PharmNic
2009
Pharmacology
of Nicotine: Addiction, Smoking-Induced Disease, and Therapeutics
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2946180/
Author:
Neal L. Benowitz, Date Published: 2009
NyTiWithD
2013
Nicotine
and Tobacco
http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/nicotine-withdrawal/symptoms-of-withdrawal.html
Author:
A.D.A.M., Inc. Date Last Reviewed: 2/26/2013
NicoDerm
xxxx
NicoDerm CQ
FAQs
https://www.nicodermcq.com/faq.html
SurfShulg xxxx
Surfing the Rave:
Ecstasy
http://www.mdma.net/alexander-shulgin/mdma.html
Author: Dee, Date
Published: Oct/Nov/Dec 1998
NYTShul 2014
Alexander Shulgin,
Psychedelia Researcher, Dies at 88
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/us/alexander-shulgin-psychedelia-researcher-dies-at-88.html
Author:
Bruce Weber, Date Published: 7 June 2014
NicoSide
xxxx
Nicotine
Side Effects
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/nicotine-side-effects.html
Author:
Drugs.com, Date Published: ????
PsychNico
2014
Nicotine
https://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/nicotine
Author
(Reference source): National Institute on Drug Abuse, Date Recently Reviewed:
24 November, 2014
UlcNico 2010
Ulcerative
Colitis and Nicotine
http://www.foundhealth.com/ulcerative-colitis/ulcerative-colitis-and-nicotine
Author:
FoundHealth, sshowalter, Date Published: 2010
CankNico
xxxx
http://www.freysmiles.com/blog/view/what-causes-mouth-ulcers
Author:
Dr. Scott Frey, Date Published: 2012 or earlier
NicoTest
2013
Workplace
Cotinine/Nicotine Testing: Consideration for Healthcare Employers
http://www.precheck.com/blog/workplace-cotininenicotine-testing-considerations-healthcare-employers
Author:
Bryan Barajas, Date Published: 25 September, 2013
LongCig
2014
Smoking
– effects on your body
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/smoking_effects_on_your_body
Author:
Better Health Channel, Date Reviewed: 2014
GoodSmoke
2014
Do
cigarettes go stale?
http://www.smokingfeelsgood.com/node/2855
Author:
Various forum posts, Date: 2014
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