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Why is Smoking Addictive?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

The tobacco in cigarettes contains compounds known to cause functional and structural changes to the brain, making smoking addictive. When someone smokes, brain chemistry is fundamentally altered and smoking becomes habit forming through repeated sessions as the brain adjusts to the changes in its chemistry. Quitting smoking can be challenging as a result of the fact that the body develops a dependence on the chemicals in tobacco and the patient experiences withdrawal symptoms as the brain attempts to readjust.

Nicotine, a compound found in tobacco that mimics the actions of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the body, is the key thing that makes smoking addictive. When nicotine enters the brain, it binds to acetylcholine receptors and people experience a cascade of neurological responses, including increased alertness and focus. Over time, regular smoking causes the brain to think that acetylcholine levels are unusually high and in response, it grows more receptors for this neurotransmitter.

Women who have stopped smoking are more likely to have healthy children.
Women who have stopped smoking are more likely to have healthy children.

The increased number of receptors decreases sensitivity to acetylcholine and nicotine, as more is needed to get the same response. This can stimulate people into smoking more, thus causing the brain to react by making more receptors and creating an endless cycle, explaining what makes smoking addictive. When people stop smoking, they have increased numbers of acetylcholine receptors, but these receptors are not being stimulated. The patient experiences withdrawal as the brain copes with the normal level of acetylcholine in the body.

Some people smoke tobacco for its stimulative effect on the body.
Some people smoke tobacco for its stimulative effect on the body.

Neurologists have studied the impact of smoking on the brain extensively to learn more about what makes smoking addictive and how smoking changes long-term brain function and structure. Some of these studies were suppressed by tobacco companies concerned about the impact on sales that disclosures of health effects, including addiction, could have. When studies informing the public that smoking is addictive were finally released, the public response was explosive in some regions of the world.

Nicotine patches are one way people try to combat their addiction to smoking.
Nicotine patches are one way people try to combat their addiction to smoking.

Smoking is not only addictive, it also appears to be one of the stronger addictive substances used by human beings. People who have experienced dependency on multiple substances have noted that tobacco products are among the most difficult to quit. Because smoking is addictive and hard to stop, many public outreach programs focus on preventing people from taking up smoking habits in the first place, with the goal of reducing the incidence of diseases related to smoking in the population. There are clear links between smoking and a number of serious medical complications including cancers and cardiovascular disease.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

backdraft

I started smoking when I went away to college last year. Not a lot, only a few a week but definitely more at the end of the year. I haven't smoked since I've been home but I have been thinking about it. Am I addicted. What are signs of smoking addiction?

Ivan83

@nextcorrea - Good point. Another reason is that it becomes a part of your routine. It works it's way into the day to day details of your life and you have to re learn to do everything without it once you quit.

I remember when I first quit I would go on breaks from work and wonder, what do I do now? I would be at parties with my friends and they would go outside to smoke and I would wonder, should I wait for them? I would finish a big meal and then think about having a smoke with nothing to replace it. It becomes a part of you. You don't know what to do with yourself once it's gone.

That being said, quitting was the best decision I ever made. I feel better, save money, don't stink and will probably add a decade onto my lifespan.

nextcorrea

You can point to dozens of chemical and biological reasons that smoking is addictive. But one reason that often gets overlooked is that smoking is fun and it's nice. People get addicted because they like it. No one who doesn't like smoking gets addicted to smoking.

It's important to realize this because it really is hard to quit and non smokers don't realize what a big change it is for a long time smoker to stop. It's like not playing your favorite sport any more. It leaves a hole in your life. We deserve some sympathy. It's a big thing to give up.

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    • Women who have stopped smoking are more likely to have healthy children.
      Women who have stopped smoking are more likely to have healthy children.
    • Some people smoke tobacco for its stimulative effect on the body.
      By: Wrangler
      Some people smoke tobacco for its stimulative effect on the body.
    • Nicotine patches are one way people try to combat their addiction to smoking.
      By: alco81
      Nicotine patches are one way people try to combat their addiction to smoking.
    • Many public-health campaigns are geared toward discouraging young people from smoking in the first place.
      By: leonardo2011
      Many public-health campaigns are geared toward discouraging young people from smoking in the first place.