effects of nicotine use
Effects of Nicotine. Nicotine is the harmful, addictive substance found in all tobacco products. Nicotine travels through the body in the bloodstream and heads straight for the brain, arriving in 7 to 15 seconds. In the brain, nicotine boosts the âreward center,â releasing chemicals that cause a pleasant, happy feeling.
Many believe nicotine is a direct cause of depression. This is due to nicotineâs effects on the dopamine levels in the brain. Smoking tobacco may temporarily increase levels of dopamine. Therefore, it increases a personâs feelings of pleasure and well-being. Eventually, these levels fall to abnormally low levels, causing the person to feel unhappy.