This Is Your Brain
Your brain and
nicotine:
The physical challenge of quitting
You smoke for many reasons. One main reason is because
tobacco contains an addicting drug called nicotine. This is
the substance that makes it so difficult to stop smoking,
even though you want to.
Inhalation is the quickest way for a drug to reach the
brain. When you smoke tobacco, high levels of nicotine enter
your lungs and are quickly absorbed into your bloodstream.
Nicotine reaches the brain in 7-10 seconds, stimulating
feelings of pleasure and the desire for more tobacco.
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| Nicotine from smoking goes
directly into the bloodstream from the lungs. Then the
heart pumps it immediately to the brain and the rest of
your body at very high concentrations. It's these high
levels delivered so quickly to your brain that makes
nicotine so addictive. |
In comparison, nicotine absorbed
through the skin (from a patch) or lining of the mouth
(from gum, lozenge or inhaler) enters the venous system
first. Then it's pumped through both sides of the heart
before reaching the brain. This takes longer, and the
nicotine concentrations are lower. |
"This is Your Brain" images and content courtesy of Mayo Clinic