What does nicotine do to your body
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The Effects of Nicotine on the Human Body
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health Risks
Nicotine poses significant health hazards, particularly to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases by affecting heart rate, blood pressure, and blood vessel function. Additionally, nicotine can exacerbate respiratory disorders, leading to conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory infections1.
Impact on Immune System Function
Nicotine has a profound impact on the immune system. It inhibits both innate and adaptive immune responses, leading to a decreased immune response. This immunosuppressive effect can increase susceptibility to infections and may also contribute to the progression of certain cancers by promoting angiogenesis and metastasis6 9.
Effects on Metabolism and Body Weight
Nicotine influences body weight and metabolism in several ways. It is known to reduce appetite and food intake, leading to weight loss. This effect is mediated through the central nervous system, where nicotine modulates hypothalamic AMP-activated protein kinase, decreasing feeding and increasing energy expenditure through brown adipose tissue thermogenesis3 5 10. However, weight gain is commonly observed in individuals who quit smoking, which can mitigate some health benefits of smoking cessation2.
Gastrointestinal and Reproductive Health
Nicotine adversely affects gastrointestinal health, potentially leading to disorders such as peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It also impacts reproductive health by altering hormone levels and affecting reproductive organs, which can lead to fertility issues1 4.
Neurological and Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Interestingly, nicotine has been found to have some neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. It may lower the incidence of certain inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, by modulating immune responses and reducing inflammation6 8.
Cancer Risk and Cellular Effects
While nicotine itself is not classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), it can contribute to cancer development through various mechanisms. Nicotine affects cell proliferation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and DNA mutation, which can lead to tumor growth and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy1.
Conclusion
Nicotine has a wide range of effects on the human body, impacting cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, metabolic, gastrointestinal, reproductive, and neurological systems. While it has some potential therapeutic uses, particularly in neuroprotection and weight management, the overall health risks associated with nicotine use are significant and warrant careful consideration and regulation.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Harmful effects of nicotine
Nicotine consumption increases the risk of cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal disorders, decreased immune response, and cancer, requiring regulation and supervision by trained medical personnel.
Systematic Review
Highly CitedCigarette Smoking, Nicotine, and Body Weight
Quitting smoking leads to weight gain, but behavioral and pharmacological approaches can help mitigate this weight gain and potentially lead to novel interventions for obesity and nicotine dependence.
Literature Review
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedNicotine improves obesity and hepatic steatosis and ER stress in diet-induced obese male rats.
Nicotine reduces body weight and improves metabolic disorders in diet-induced obese rats, offering a potential strategy for developing new therapeutic approaches against obesity and its metabolic complications.
Non-RCT
Animal StudyRigorous JournalHighly CitedStudy on Physiological Effects of Nicotine
Nicotine, the main component in tobacco smoke, negatively affects body functions, including hematological parameters, lipid profile, liver enzymes, and reproductive hormones.
Nicotine' actions on energy balance: Friend or foe?
Nicotine may help regulate energy expenditure and may be a potential complementary approach to obesity treatment, as it exerts an anorectic action and modulates energy expenditure through various mechanisms.
THE PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF NICOTINE *
Nicotine has diverse effects on various systems in various species, and its effects in humans vary significantly at doses inhaled in tobacco smoke.
Highly CitedPharmacology of nicotine: addiction and therapeutics.
Nicotine aids smoking cessation and may treat other medical diseases, with its effects influenced by dosing rate, route, and tolerance.
Highly CitedEffect of Nicotine on Immune System Function
Nicotine modulates the immune system, inhibiting innate and acquired immunity, and can exacerbate tumors in cancer patients while also showing positive effects in treating autoimmune diseases.
In Vitro StudyNicotine and energy balance: A review examining the effect of nicotine on hormonal appetite regulation and energy expenditure
Nicotine decreases appetite and food intake, but its effect on food intake remains unclear, and increases resting and physical activity energy expenditure.
Systematic Review