How does smoking affect the human brain?

Blood and vessels, Nicotine

Smoking tobacco has a particularly negative effect on the heart and blood vessels. The prevalence of addiction is one of the reasons for the high mortality rate from vascular and heart diseases. Nicotine disrupts hematopoietic processes and changes the rheological characteristics of blood. In the article, the reader will learn about how nicotine affects the blood and blood vessels.

Lose weight on tobacco?

Smoking in general causes your metabolism to speed up. The body spends energy more actively and burns reserves. Therefore, yes, of course, you can lose weight with cigarettes. But is the result worth it? “Weight loss from tobacco is of the same nature as weight loss from cancer
or from improper functioning of the thyroid gland,” says Galina Sakharova, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Deputy Director of the Research Institute of Pulmonology of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia. “A smoker loses weight because the body is trying to cope with the negative consequences of smoking.”

Why quit smoking?

You have given up smoking. What will happen tomorrow, in two weeks and in a few months? Only good.

Symptoms of cigarette smoke poisoning

Nicotine enters the body through smoke and reaches the brain in a few seconds. It affects the central and peripheral nervous systems, which regulate the functioning of all organs. Poisoning has several symptoms:

• headache;
• noise in ears;
• spasm of the larynx;
• nausea and vomiting.

In severe cases of intoxication, loss of consciousness, convulsions and paralysis of the respiratory center are observed. This condition is usually observed in those who have smoked several cigarettes in a short period of time.

Tobacco is stronger than marijuana

Comparative studies have shown that tobacco causes physiological dependence more than caffeine and marijuana, “losing” to alcohol, heroin and cocaine. As for psychological addiction, it is ahead of everyone, including heroin and cocaine. This is because nicotine increases the level of dopamine (also called the pleasure hormone) in the brain and, at the same time, smoking suppresses monoamine oxidase, a special enzyme that breaks down dopamine. The brain receives pleasure signals, but quickly gets used to the increased pleasure. Over time, the dose is required more and more, but the pleasure becomes less and less
. A drug is a drug.

What problems does a smoker have related to blood circulation?

With prolonged smoking, a person's blood vessels and heart are affected. A smoker experiences the following symptoms:

• significant increase in blood pressure;
• increased heart rate;
• persistent narrowing of arterioles;
• deposition of cholesterol plaques on the inner walls of blood vessels;
• formation of blood clots - thrombi;
• increasing blood viscosity due to platelet aggregation;
• disruption of metabolic processes, which, in turn, lead to increased thrombus formation and hardening of blood vessels;
• a decrease in the concentration of prostacyclin, a substance on which the dilation of blood vessels and capillaries depends.

All of these phenomena lead to the development of a large number of diseases that require long-term treatment. Chronic diseases worsen the quality of life of patients and lead to aging of the body.

Cell fumes

In addition to nicotine, tobacco smoke contains a lot of carbon monoxide, which begins to actively participate in the biochemical processes of the body. The fact is that the CO molecule (and this is carbon monoxide) binds perfectly to hemoglobin, a complex molecule that carries oxygen throughout the cells. This complex is much stronger than the connection between hemoglobin and oxygen, so oxygen deficiency
occurs quickly. Result: the smoker's cells are in a constant state of oxygen starvation. By the way, exactly the same mechanism, only much faster, works if you take potassium cyanide.

Damage to blood vessels due to smoking

Nicotine has 2 stages of action. During the first, short-term stage, the muscular wall of the blood vessels relaxes, causing the lumen of the capillaries to increase. Against the background of expansion of the lumen of the arteries, the rhythm of heart contractions slows down. The person feels a pleasant state of relaxation and his well-being improves somewhat.

Then comes the phase of pathological changes in the functioning of the circulatory system. Due to the increased synthesis of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, adrenaline and norepinephrine, the heart rate increases markedly. The walls of the blood vessels narrow and they spasm. Against the background of these phenomena, blood pressure increases. This condition is especially dangerous for people with arterial hypertension: they may develop a life-threatening hypertensive crisis.

Carcinogens

Cancer is a constant companion of smoking. Nicotine itself is not carcinogenic. However, tobacco does not burn completely. When dry tobacco leaves smolder, a lot of other things are released into smoke. Including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzopyrene and tobacco resins. But they cause cancer. Mainly cancer of the lungs, larynx, mouth and pancreas. That is, the most difficult to treat
varieties.
By the way, the most important carcinogen - radioactivity
- is also present in tobacco. At least when grown industrially in developed countries. The fact is that the taste of tobacco depends on the nitrogen content in the leaves; the less nitrogen, the tastier. To reduce the nitrogen content, tobacco is fertilized with phosphate fertilizers, which are industrially produced from apatites. And these minerals contain radium, polonium and a radioactive isotope of lead as impurities, which accumulate in tobacco leaves. There are few of them, but they exist. Even some leading tobacco companies had to admit the fact that cigarettes are slightly radioactive.

Laboratory diagnostics

Smoking and hemoglobin are inextricably interconnected; its level in the blood depends on the length of time the smoker has been smoking and the strength of the cigarettes. If you lead an unhealthy lifestyle, you need to periodically visit a therapist, he will give a referral for laboratory diagnosis of diabetes to a person with a violation of the level of nicotine in the blood.

The norm is:

• 130–170 g/l in men;
• 115 – 155 g/l in women.

A complete blood count in a laboratory test will show the level of the component in the blood. If it does not meet the norm, the doctor will prescribe a special therapeutic diet.

About a dead horse

“A drop of nicotine kills a horse” - words familiar from childhood, and so hackneyed that they are perceived ironically. Moreover, a drop of nicotine (let’s say 0.05 milliliters) is a lethal dose for an adult
(respiratory and cardiac arrest).
The smoker consumes a nerve poison every day, and quite a strong one. It was not in vain that it was used as an insecticide. A smoker can call 8-800-200-0-200
(the call is free for residents of Russia), say that he needs help quitting smoking, and he will be switched to specialists at the Advisory Call Center for Help in Quitting Tobacco Consumption (CTC) . If all KTC specialists are busy at this moment, his phone number will be sent to KTC by e-mail, and they will call him back within 1-3 days. Psychologists and doctors provide counseling to those who contact the CTC. Psychologists help prepare for the day of quitting smoking, help find a replacement for smoking rituals, together with the client they will determine the optimal ways to overcome addiction, and support in difficult moments in the fight against nicotine addiction. Doctors will advise on the most effective therapeutic methods for quitting smoking, and give advice to patients with various diseases on how best to prepare for quitting smoking, taking into account existing health problems.

Tags:

• Smoking
• Lifespan
• Metabolism
• Cancer

• To leave a comment you must be an authorized user

• cipocola I have been smoking for 8 years. I was pregnant and smoked (stupid), when my son was born, I didn’t smoke for 2 months, then I stopped breastfeeding and it all started again. Smoking, smoking, smoking. Moreover, they say that smoking provokes a relapse of psoriasis, so I’ll go now and break all the cigarettes, don’t mind.....
• rckstr I haven’t smoked for almost 3 years) It’s really easy to quit if you don’t get hung up on the thought that you’re quitting and don’t think about it. Do it and forget it!
• KaZantipchik Yesssssssssssss....I haven’t heard about radioactivity) It’s worth thinking about...
• SergeyWilson ABOUT CANCER!!! In fact, no one has proven this yet! The nature of cancer has not yet been established. (THE PERSON WHO REVEALED THE MYSTERY OF CANCER WILL RECEIVE A NOBEL PRIZE) The same scientists 60 years ago believed that tuberculosis appears from smoking, as a result of which cigarettes were no longer sold in more than half of the American states. As a result, the research was almost completely stopped of this disease. And people died from tuberculosis despite the measures introduced by Scientists (ban on the sale of tobacco)
• Helga_Sparks makcum25, how can we get rid of the fear that we won’t be able to live without a cigarette?
• makcum25 In fact, it’s very easy to quit smoking! I smoked for 10 years and then quit this crap. We just need to get rid of the fear that we won’t be able to live without a cigarette.
• otragenie Great article, thanks! This kind of information is sorely lacking, what and how it works.. It would also be great to read statistics on mortality from diseases caused by smoking in Russia and the world. Thank you!
• tosya-kislicina I always try to quit smoking and drinking when the next Lent begins. It’s easier for me psychologically, because... Many people limit themselves in many ways during this period. True, I was missing for more than a week. I hope it will work out now))). I wish everyone willpower in this matter!
• I support Himikus. it's actually easy, I was surprised myself
• alexandervulfert needs to stop poisoning yourself and those around you ONCE and FOR ALL!!! it's very easy to do!
• Egypt needs to quit smoking more often)))
• neloser and me )))))
• in-chik I will read this article more often!

Nicotine damage to the vessels of the lower extremities

Long-term smoking causes the development of obliterating endarteritis. With this disease, persistent narrowing of the arteries develops. Attacks of spasms are initially transient and reversible. Over time, narrowing of blood vessels occurs much more often and lasts longer. The toes are the first to be affected. In this case, the following symptoms are observed:

• whitening of the skin and feeling of cold;
• tingling and numbness in the lower extremities;
• the appearance of attacks of intermittent claudication (the patient is forced to periodically stop while walking to normalize the condition);
• fatigue.

Over time, these phenomena progress. The patient develops tissue atrophy and gangrene.

The use of tobacco products leads to changes in blood composition and the development of cardiovascular diseases. An experienced smoker increases the risk of developing stroke, heart attack, arterial hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Quitting smoking is the only way to prevent life-threatening diseases.

How to reduce the harmful effects of cigarettes

By increasing the number of cigarettes smoked per day, the smoker worsens the composition of the blood. Nicotine is completely eliminated after 3 days, tests return to normal. To reduce the negative impact on the body, you need to:

• drink citrus juice, as nicotine reduces its amount in the blood;
• switch to IQOS with a low tar concentration.

If you smoke, try to eat less fatty and sweet foods. The level of cholesterol and glucose in the blood increases when smoking, so a special diet will help reduce the harmful effects of cigarettes on all organs of the body.

How does smoking affect blood test results?

If you detect an increased level of hemoglobin and a high number of red blood cells, you must tell your doctor that you smoke. If this is not done, the prescribed drug treatment will not be effective, since it will be aimed at eliminating problems without the influence of nicotine.

When smoking, the following processes occur in the blood in the body:

• Iron levels drop;
• cholesterol indicator is distorted;
• glucose levels become higher;
• the number of red blood cells increases moderately.

When undergoing preventive examinations, you need to quit smoking so that the clinical picture is not distorted, and treatment is prescribed in accordance with your diseases, and not those indicated due to a bad habit.