Changes

Medications containing nicotine are also used to help smokers who are trying to quit.  These are referred to as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).  The idea behind NRT is that it allows smokers to break the behavioral component of their smoking habit (e.g., becoming used to not smoking while driving) while gradually reducing the amount of nicotine in their bloodstream, thus minimizing the effects of physiological nicotine withdrawal.  Several different forms of NRT are available, including a transdermal patch, chewing gum, and nasal spray.  Nicotine has also been found to be a useful treatment for certain physical conditions, though the mechanisms are not well understood.  For example, smoking reduces the risk of Kaposi's sarcoma, as well as breast cancer among women at high risk for it due to the presence of the BRCA gene.  Nicotine also appears to have therapeutic benefit for individuals with ulcerative colitis, one form of epilepsy, and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Dementia.

Medications containing nicotine are also used to help smokers who are trying to quit.  These are referred to as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).  The idea behind NRT is that it allows smokers to break the behavioral component of their smoking habit (e.g., becoming used to not smoking while driving) while gradually reducing the amount of nicotine in their bloodstream, thus minimizing the effects of physiological nicotine withdrawal.  Several different forms of NRT are available, including a transdermal patch, chewing gum, and nasal spray.  Nicotine has also been found to be a useful treatment for certain physical conditions, though the mechanisms are not well understood.  For example, smoking reduces the risk of Kaposi's sarcoma, as well as breast cancer among women at high risk for it due to the presence of the BRCA gene.  Nicotine also appears to have therapeutic benefit for individuals with ulcerative colitis, one form of epilepsy, and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Dementia.

Nicotine has been shown in some medical studies to be more addictive than cocaine and even heroin. Tobacco often occurs along with cocaine use because the nicotine in tobacco greatly enhances the euphoria one receieves from cocaine.  

Nicotine has been shown in some medical studies to be more addictive than cocaine and even heroin. Tobacco often occurs along with cocaine use because the nicotine in tobacco greatly enhances the euphoria one receives from cocaine.  

[[Image:Nicotine.gif]]

[[Image:Nicotine.gif]]