Nicotine's Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping

In this episode, I explain how nicotine impacts the brain and body, including its potent ability to enhance attention, focus, and alertness, increase blood pressure and metabolism and reduce appetite. I discuss nicotine’s ability to increase the action of neurochemicals, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine and activate sympathetic (alertness-promoting) neural circuits. I also discuss common nicotine delivery methods, such as cigarettes, vaping, dip, and snuff, and how they each create their own unique experience and how they, but not nicotine itself, cause cancer and other adverse health effects. I also explain science-based tools to permanently quit smoking cigarettes or vaping, including peer-reviewed clinical hypnosis tools, antidepressants, and alternative nicotine replacement (patches, lozenges, gums etc.). As nicotine is one of the most widely used substances with billions of users — most of whom report wanting to quit — this episode ought to be of interest to former/current nicotine users, those who want to quit smoking or vaping and/or those interested in learning the biology behind how nicotine impacts the brain and body.

Articles

• Predictors of smoking abstinence following a single-session restructuring intervention with self-hypnosis (The American Journal of Psychiatry)
• Effect of hypnotic suggestion on cognition and craving in smokers (Addictive Behaviors Reports)
• Pharmacological Approach to Smoking Cessation: An Updated Review for Daily Clinical Practice (High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention)

Resources

• Reveri