Nicotine Research Paper

Nicotine is an addictive drug which basically means that the use of nicotine causes reactions in the brain that makes the person want to use more and more of the drug or substance. Addictive drugs cause withdrawal symptoms that can be unpleasant. Breaking an addiction can be very unpleasant and difficult due to the fact that the person breaking the addiction has to go through withdrawals. Nicotine is historically one of the most difficult addictions to break due to the withdrawal symptoms.
When someone smokes a cigarette, the body responds immediately to the nicotine in the smoke. Nicotine causes a “short-term increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and the flow of blood from the heart.” Although they are short term your body adjusts to the changes so that
makes quitting even harder due to the fact that your body adjusts to the increased blood pressure, heart rate and flow of blood from the heart. Nicotine also causes the arteries to narrow. Carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen the blood can carry. This, combined with the effects produced by nicotine, creates an imbalance in the demand for oxygen by the cells and the amount of oxygen the blood is able to supply. Smoking increases your blood pressure and puts stress on your heart.
Over time stress on the heart can weaken it, making it less able to pump blood to other parts of your body. Carbon monoxide from inhaled cigarette smoke also contributes to a lack of oxygen, making the heart work even harder. This increases the risk of heart disease, including heart attacks.
Smoking also makes your blood thick and sticky. The stickier the blood the harder your heart must work to move it around your body. Sticky blood is also more likely to form blood clots that block blood flow to your heart, brain, and legs. Over time, thick, sticky blood damages the delicate lining of your blood vessels. This damage can increase your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Smoking increases the amount of cholesterol and unhealthy fats circling in your blood, leading to unhealthy fatty deposits. Over time, cholesterol, fats, and other debris build up on the walls of your arteries. “This buildup narrows the arteries and blocks normal blood flow to the heart, brain, and legs.” Blocked blood flow to the heart or brain can cause a heart attack or stroke. Blockage in the blood vessels of your legs could result in the amputation of your toes or
feet.
Research has found that if somebody with a “genetic tendency first tried smoking as an adult, then they would have a “low risk” at actually developing a nicotine addiction.” Because of this finding, there is an assumption that teens may be more at risk because their brains are still developing, but this hasn't been proven yet.
Nicotine can weaken your immune system. Cigarette smoke contains high levels of tar and other chemicals, which can make your immune system less able to fight off infections. So basically you are more able to get sick. Continued weakening of the immune system can make you more vulnerable to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. It also decreases your body’s ability to fight off cancer.