Tobacco effects on the body and mind | Snushus

In countries of the European Union, according to a survey by the European Commission, 26% of citizens reported being smokers. Although most smokers are aware of the devastating short-term and long-term effects of smoking, many struggle to quit permanently.

For this reason, we want to take a closer look at the effects of tobacco and explain how it influences our body and brain. Perhaps you have also thought about quitting smoking or finding a less harmful alternative to smoking.

Ingredients of a Cigarette

To better understand the effects of tobacco, we should first take a look at the ingredients of a cigarette. Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 different chemical substances, of which at least 250 are harmful to health and about 70 are even carcinogenic. These include arsenic, lead, benzene, and nitrosamines, among others. In our body, these can damage the genetic material of cells and trigger leukemia.

The substance in cigarettes that causes addiction is nicotine. When smoking, about 30% of the nicotine contained in the cigarette is released. A cigarette contains on average 13 mg of nicotine, and between 1 to 2 mg per cigarette is absorbed by the body when smoking.

Nicotine reaches the brain in just 7 to 8 seconds and triggers a series of reactions there. After the first cigarette, the craving for the next one is already triggered, which is why many find quitting smoking difficult without alternatives.

Effects of Tobacco on the Brain

Nicotine reaches the brain within seconds and binds to so-called acetylcholine receptors, which are responsible for certain biochemical signaling processes. Here, nicotine stimulates an increase in dopamine production. The increased release of dopamine in our body causes us to feel a sense of well-being.

Additionally, nicotine also affects other areas of the brain, such as the regions responsible for alertness and attention. This is why smokers feel more awake and can concentrate better after their first cigarette in the morning.

The effect of nicotine lasts for about 2 hours but weakens minute by minute as the body immediately begins to break it down.

Effects of Tobacco on the Body

Tobacco triggers reactions not only in the brain but also has a significant impact on our body. When smoking, the heart starts beating faster and body temperature slightly decreases. Because tobacco narrows blood vessels, blood pressure also rises.

In the stomach, nicotine increases gastric juice production and stimulates digestion. For many, this causes nausea and suppresses appetite. Additionally, smokers experience increased sensitivity to pain due to overstimulation of pain receptors.

Why Does Nicotine Cause Addiction?

Due to the increased release of the hormone dopamine, many smokers feel that smoking makes them happy. Even during the breakdown of nicotine in the body, the craving for a new cigarette arises to regain or maintain the feeling of well-being.

A sudden quit smoking is accompanied by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as increased irritability, restlessness, and mood swings. Most attempts to quit smoking end unsuccessfully because of this.

Snus as an Alternative to Smoking

Those who want to quit smoking permanently and cannot cope with a sudden quit can try the smokeless alternative Snus. Since no combustion process occurs when using Snus, many of the harmful substances found in cigarettes are not released.