Quite a large number of people assume nicotine is a toxic substance because it is found in tobacco cigarettes, which cause plenty of health problems for those that smoke them – but what if we told you: of all the substances found within cigarettes, nicotine is actually one of the least harmful.
The perception of nicotine causing cancer has been damaging to the e-cigarette industry, because their products can contain nicotine which people view in a bad light, when actually it satisfies a craving while proving to be far less harmful than smoking tobacco cigarettes. While still being highly addictive, the effects of nicotine when it comes to harm done to the body are as negligible as caffeine.
So, we’re going to set the record straight on a lot of misconceptions when it comes to nicotine and try to explain the effects it can have on the body. When public perceptions are often skewed it’s good to go back to the bare facts to get a proper education on the subject.
How much Nicotine is in a Cigarette?
The usual cigarette contains approximately 10 milligrams of nicotine, however a lot of this doesn’t make it to your body due to getting caught in the filter, so in the end you only end up with about 1 milligram of nicotine being absorbed into your body per cigarette.
How is Nicotine Absorbed from Cigarettes?
When smoking a tobacco cigarette, the nicotine within it will pass through the membranes in your lungs and thus into your bloodstream shortly after. After the nicotine makes it into the bloodstream, it will flow to your heart, arteries and finally up to your brain in around ten to twenty seconds. This process being so quick is an explanation for why smoking a cigarette can release a sense of calm in the brain so quickly, as it is quickly satisfying a craving.
Is this Process the Same with E-cigarettes?
No. In stark contrast to tobacco cigarettes, the way nicotine is absorbed through the body using e-cigarettes is by the mouth and the top of the throat, instead of the lungs – this has been backed up by studies from the Royal College of Physicians. For this reason, smoking e-cigarettes has been proven to be far less addictive than tobacco cigarettes.
What Effect Does Nicotine Produce on the Brain?
At it’s very core, nicotine is a stimulant so it can increase your heart rate if you have a little, but once you have more it will start to relax you. Therefore, deeper inhales will relax you, whereas shallower ones are more likely to stimulate you. It also triggers the dopamine receptors in your brain, which are linked to a feeling of pleasurable satisfaction.
Is Nicotine Dangerous?
Strictly speaking, the harmful effects of it are small, the problem with nicotine is that it is what keeps you going back to cigarettes, which are full of dangerous chemicals. It is these chemicals, unlike nicotine, which cause cancer.
If you are looking to kick the habit of smoking, we would recommend using an e-cigarette, which allows you to vary the amount of nicotine you need included within your e-cig till you can eventually wean yourself off nicotine and go without it for good! If you are looking for an e-liquid vapour cigarette store, then check out Vapourmate.
