Nicotine Like Heroin
by Sunita Reed |
April 10th, 2008 |
Published in
All, Health
Stumble |
Share on Facebook |
Tweet This |
|
Interviewees: Brian Large and Tricia Gooden, smokers; |
Strength of Addiction
Tricia Gooden wants to quit smoking.
“I keep seeing all those commercials on TV about people who are like dying, who have holes in their throats,” says the 24-year old office manager who has smoked on and off for six years. But a previous effort to kick her nicotine addiction with patches failed.
“Once you start it’s really hard to stop,” she laments.
Nicotine addiction has even been compared to narcotics like heroin or morphine, also known as opiates. Neuroscientist Dan McGehee, of University of Chicago says the relapse rates are much higher for tobacco users than the users of other drugs, citing approximately 40 percent relapse on average for all drugs of abuse compared to 80 to 90 percent for tobacco.
“Many factors contribute to this difference, and one of these is the addictive effects of these drugs,” he says.
McGehee’s recent study gives more evidence that nicotine and heroin have similar effects in the brain. He measured these effects in individual rat brain cells in lab dishes using a sophisticated technique to record electrical activity. He also measured the release of the pleasure chemical dopamine.
Nicotine and opiates increase dopamine release in the pleasure center of the brain. This center is also involved in the addictive properties of both types of drugs. Dopamine is also released in large quantities in response to experiences such as sex and running.
McGehee and his team applied nicotine and a heroin-like substance called endomorphin to brain cells. Because the two drugs work in completely different ways, the researchers did not expect to find that the cells in a particular area, called the nucleus accumbens, responded in an identical way to both drugs.
“We were a little surprised to see an effect that was so similar between these two different classes of drugs,” says McGehee.
Dopamine-releasing brain cells release only small amounts of dopamine until they are prompted by a stimulus to release large bursts of dopamine. The researchers knew from prior studies that nicotine caused the low level release of dopamine to be suppressed. This results in hypersensitivity in that brain area to dopamine, which can greatly enhance feelings of reward. In this study the scientists found that in the presence of the heroin-like substance, the neurons responded in the same way.
“And so when the sensitivity of those cells is enhanced, we believe that’s going to contribute in a big way to reward and motivation. So people that are exposed to drugs will go out and seek them again because it’s something that makes them feel particularly good,” explains McGehee.
But McGehee points out that this study only looked at first time exposure to both drugs, not at addicted individuals. In the future he would like to study what happens to the brain after long-term exposure to nicotine and drugs like heroin. He hopes that further research will lead to treatments to help people beat addiction to many different types of drugs. In the meantime people like Gooden, who says she smokes to cope with stress, will have to keep trying to break the habit in other ways.
“I guess it’s a matter of focusing on other things or hobbies that I could do to get my mind off it whenever I am stressed,” says Gooden.
This research by Jonathan Britt and Daniel S. McGehee was published the February 13, 2008 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, and was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Stumble |
Share on Facebook |
Tweet This |
iTunes
May 18th, 2010 at 1:05 am (#)
Nicotine is one of the most addicting substance in this world so avoid smoking cigarettes.’`’
July 7th, 2010 at 4:05 pm (#)
[...] or taken orally, it’s highly addictive and enslaves the same brain dopamine pathways as heroin, methamphetamine or crack cocaine. What they fail to appreciate is that while nicotine’s [...]
July 26th, 2010 at 10:10 pm (#)
oh well, nicotine is the number cause of lung disease. this substance can really kill your lungs.,*”
October 24th, 2010 at 2:50 pm (#)
the nicotine in cigarette actually makes me very lively during long driving hours`,,
December 20th, 2010 at 2:23 pm (#)
nicotine can really make you an addict, stay away from cigarettes in the first place “”,
April 22nd, 2011 at 8:46 am (#)
[...] Originally Posted by skoro I think it explains why smoking laws are necessary. BTW… it’s intelligent. Would these smoking laws include ganja? Please no more laws with gestapos to enforce them. Here is the heart of the problem…addiction……Nicotine Like Heroin | ScienCentral | Science Videos | Science News [...]
July 15th, 2011 at 12:20 am (#)
If Apple company didn’t help to make computer systems and Local cafe didn’t help make espresso, how appear experienced they will become therefore prospering? Your way to offer the most innovative and most appealing products, despite the fact that intoxicating, is often a somewhat packed area. If possible, Apple and Starbucks constructed their very own area of interest.
August 4th, 2011 at 1:24 am (#)
Thank you for every other informative blog. The place else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect method? I’ve a challenge that I’m simply now running on, and I have been on the glance out for such information.
August 8th, 2011 at 3:56 pm (#)
Good article , thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner as well
August 11th, 2011 at 12:10 pm (#)
Aw, this was a very nice post. In thought I wish to write like this – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article is very rare…
September 21st, 2011 at 12:22 am (#)
I enabled comments on my blogger page however it only shows the comments link, then when it’s clicked, a brand new page opens showing your comments ought to. Is there a way to simply have your comments ought to show on my main page right within the blog, I don’t want just a url to the page..
September 22nd, 2011 at 12:23 am (#)
I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had not discovered such a point like this. It’s possible to at this point look ahead to my future. Thanks very much for the reliable and result oriented help. I will not think twice to recommend your blog post to anyone who needs and wants tips on this area.
October 9th, 2011 at 7:03 pm (#)
I really like your wordpress template, exactly where do you get a hold of it through?
October 12th, 2011 at 3:06 am (#)
You’r blog is nice and you indeed run your blog for fun.
November 4th, 2011 at 7:15 am (#)
Thanks so much with regard to giving us an update on this subject matter on your blog. Please be aware that if a brand new post becomes available or if perhaps any variations occur about the current article, I would be considering reading more and knowing how to make good usage of those tactics you share. Thanks for your efforts and consideration of others by making this web site available.
November 17th, 2011 at 10:39 am (#)
Only wanna remark on few general things, The website style is perfect, the subject material is rattling wonderful : D.
November 21st, 2011 at 3:19 am (#)
It’s hard to come by well informed persons on that niche, however you seem like you fully understand just what you are discussing! Appreciate it
November 23rd, 2011 at 5:17 pm (#)
strongzz Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Extremely helpful information specially the last part
I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this certain information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
December 6th, 2011 at 5:49 am (#)
Banking inquiry still has a few tough bones left to chew
December 14th, 2011 at 10:19 pm (#)
According to http://www.tobacco-cessation.org/PDFs/NicFactSheet-3-07.pdf Nicotine does not cause cancer or lead to “tobacco”-related diseases ,like heart disease and stroke. The diseases are caused from combustion byproducts from smoking and from nitrosamines (virtually absent in green tobacco) formed when the tobacco leaf is fermented , Not from the psychoactive properties of the tobacco plant. If people would learn to use tobacco without smoking or fermenting it (like vaporizers or swedish snus). We wouldn’t see anywhere near the harm being done!
Tobacco does not need to be smoked or fermented to be used. While nicotine is addictive, it is thought to be about as harmful as caffeine.
December 25th, 2011 at 9:51 am (#)
You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the paintings you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. At all times go after your heart.
January 5th, 2012 at 1:30 am (#)
Normally I don’t read article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to check out and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, quite great post.
February 8th, 2012 at 8:18 am (#)
I like your blog design. Where can I download it? Is it free? Regards
February 9th, 2012 at 1:03 pm (#)
I really enjoy your theme. What is the name of this theme? free of charge? Thanks
February 9th, 2012 at 1:17 pm (#)
I love your wordpress theme. style? cost-free? Regards
February 20th, 2012 at 12:18 am (#)
I know this can be really boring and you’re skipping to consecutive comment, however I just wished to throw you a giant thanks you cleared up some things for me!
March 8th, 2012 at 11:48 am (#)
Interesting blog, not like all the others! Thanks for posting about azure.
March 15th, 2012 at 5:52 am (#)
Can you attention and consideration primarily write-up most of the following inside my web page in essence your site reference to this website?
March 23rd, 2012 at 1:47 pm (#)
Keep up the great piece of work, I read few articles on this internet site and I conceive that your site is rattling interesting and holds sets of excellent information.
April 9th, 2012 at 10:34 pm (#)
This kind of things must not exist. It is really bad for the health.
April 10th, 2012 at 5:25 am (#)
I want to be serious. I can get this for free? no way!
but this is real.
May 25th, 2012 at 5:24 pm (#)
You made a number of good points there. I did a search on the subject and found mainly folks will agree with your blog.
June 26th, 2012 at 4:06 pm (#)
[...] ya…btw…science says it is comparable… NICOTINE: HARDER TO KICK…THAN HEROIN - New York Times Nicotine Like Heroin | ScienCentral | Science Videos | Science News Division of Periodontology: Tobacco Use Cessation Program …and then there is that little thing [...]
July 16th, 2012 at 6:41 am (#)
Nicotine is one of the most addictive chemicals in nature. This is the reason why smokers are addicted to cigarettes. ‘,*’. Many thanks health supplements resource
July 16th, 2012 at 10:33 am (#)
dude, can I hug you!
July 26th, 2012 at 11:05 am (#)
I conceive other website owners should take this site as an example , very clean and great user pleasant style .
July 30th, 2012 at 8:19 am (#)
Really nice design and fantastic subject material , very little else we want : D.
July 31st, 2012 at 12:33 am (#)
I’m curious to discover out what blog system that you are utilizing? Im having some small security issues with my latest web site and Id like to find something more risk-free. Do you’ve any suggestions? Hmm it looks like your blog ate my initial comment (it was super long) so I guess Ill just sum it up what I wrote and say, Im thoroughly enjoying your weblog. I too am an aspiring weblog blogger but Im nonetheless new to everything. Do you’ve got any suggestions and hints for rookie weblog writers? Id definitely appreciate it.
November 6th, 2012 at 11:09 am (#)
I appreciate, result in I discovered just what I used to be taking a look for. You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
November 13th, 2012 at 6:59 am (#)
Nicotine is always the bad part of cigarette smoking aside from the cancerous compounds that you can find on the smoke itself.*
Find out about our personal web site too
http://www.foodsupplementdigest.com/green-tea-fat-burner/
March 23rd, 2013 at 4:36 pm (#)
Scientists say cigarettes’ most addictive component — nicotine — may also lead to degeneration in a region of the brain that affects emotional control, sexual arousal, REM sleep and seizures. The findings, reported in a new study, could help doctors pinpoint the part of the brain that gives some people increased susceptibility to chronic smoking or drug addiction, researchers said. “Nicotine causes the most selective degeneration in the brain that I have ever seen,” said the study’s lead author, neuroscientist Gaylord Ellison..
Look into our very own homepage as well
<’http://www.foodsupplementcenter.com/astaxanthin-side-effects/
April 17th, 2013 at 11:01 pm (#)
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time
a comment is added I get three emails with the same comment.
Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
Thank you!
April 30th, 2013 at 2:25 am (#)
Excellent weblog here! Additionally your website so much up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link on your host? I desire my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
May 8th, 2013 at 11:14 pm (#)
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all folks you really recognise what you are speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also visit my site =). We will have a hyperlink trade contract between us!
May 9th, 2013 at 12:46 pm (#)
Fat burner nutritional supplements like Fat Burner PLUS from Summit are tailored for assist you to lose weight faster, easier and more secure than ever. Taken twice a day, these supplements contain amazing ingredients which boost your metabolism and help reduce your bloodstream sugar spikes while reducing toxic compounds and creating an appetite suppressant.
May 9th, 2013 at 1:17 pm (#)
Fat burner nutritional supplements like Fat Burner PLUS from Summit are tailored for assist you to lose weight faster, easier and more secure than ever. Taken twice a day, these supplements contain amazing ingredients which boost your metabolism and help reduce your bloodstream sugar spikes while reducing toxic compounds and creating an appetite suppressant.
May 9th, 2013 at 2:16 pm (#)
This is one technology that I would love to be able to use for myself. It’s definitely a cut above the rest and I can’t wait until my provider has it. Your insight was what I needed. Thanks
May 10th, 2013 at 10:12 pm (#)
A friend told me that she had fantastic results with green coffee beans but only the one that had the higher % of CGA was the way to go. She suggested using this Summit brand as it was what worked for her. Other than it being a real pain to find on Amazon, I am excited to see the same results she got.
May 10th, 2013 at 11:15 pm (#)
Saw the green coffee bean extract fat burner on Dr. Oz
May 11th, 2013 at 4:47 am (#)
I saw green coffee bean extract on Dr. Oz and he was going on and on about how great it was. A friend told me that she had fantastic results with green coffee beans but only the one that had the higher % of CGA was the way to go.
May 11th, 2013 at 12:54 pm (#)
A friend told me that she had fantastic results with green coffee beans but only the one that had the higher % of CGA was the way to go. She suggested using this Summit brand as it was what worked for her. Other than it being a real pain to find on Amazon, I am excited to see the same results she got.
May 19th, 2013 at 2:42 am (#)
Thank you, I’ve recently been looking for info about this topic for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far. However, what concerning the bottom line? Are you sure about the source?
May 21st, 2013 at 4:03 am (#)
Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is fantastic, as well as the content!. Thanks For Your article about Nicotine Like Heroin | ScienCentral | Science Videos | Science News .
May 23rd, 2013 at 5:50 am (#)
I like looking through your site. Thanks a ton!
May 28th, 2013 at 10:28 pm (#)
THIS IS A TEST COMMENT.