People who smoke may often feel a strong urge to use cigarettes when they are anxious. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and can lead to withdrawal symptoms if you aren’t consistently using it.3 When you smoke, nicotine binds to certain receptors in your brain that cause it to release a chemical called dopamine.3 Dopamine is a neurohormone that makes you feel good and continues to get released as you use nicotine products.3 As you smoke more, your brain may mask your feelings of anxiety.