Just How Does Nicotine Work in the Human Brain? Susan Blan, MO 1. Nicotine produces pleasure by attaching to the nicotine acetylcholine receptor. 2. These nerve cells release a chemical signal called glutamate, which tells connected neurons to release dopamine. 3. The more these nerve cells are excited, the more dopamine is released and the more pleasant the feeling 4, GABA inhibits dopamine release. GABA (GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID) 5, These nerve cells have a slightly diferent version ofthe nicotinic acetylcholine receptor 6. When they respond to the intial nicotine exposure, these receptors quickly become overwhelmed and lose their power to generate repeated releases of GABA. 7. This renders them unable to reign in the excitation caused by nicotine. 8, They remain disabled for up to an hour. 9. Because of the inhibition of GABA,the reward system is turned on right away and it keeps sending reward signals for 60 ‘minutes even though nicotine levels drop off 15 minutes after smoking. 10. This ability to extend the reward only enhances the drug’ ability to reinforce smoking, 11. It takes only a few exposures to create a lasting memory of the rewards of smoking, which are reinforced by each cigarette smoked. 12, Now we find that nicotine also suppresses the brain’ efforts to limit that pleasure Note: ‘The American Society of Addiction Medicine has declared that there is no safe level of consumption ‘of tobacco products by any age group or among any special population. Nicotine Ren Seer Slightly different nicotinic receptor | stimulates > causes Blocks Glutamate Dopamine GABAS release ability to which Sree release of oes Dopamine pleasure LibertasNicotine In Smoke Form Nicotine is the “drug forall occasions” says research psychologist Dr. Ovide Pomer- leau, director of the behavioral medicine program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. “tts variable effects are available on demand and do not outlast the circumstances to which they are appropriate. Unlike other drugs, nicotine does not interfere with normal activity” We smokers are incredibly adept at maintaining a steady concentration of nicotine in, our bloodstreams throughout the day. ANICOSTAT There seems to be an internal sensing system, like a household thermostat, that knows when nicotine levels are too low. Called a“nicostat,'itis what drives a smoker to light up when the nicotine level falls below the set point. ‘Most smokers require about 10 cigarettes a day to maintain a“comfort zone” After a night's sleep, smokers deeply inhale their first few cigarettes to raise the con- centration of nicotine in thelr blood quickly. httpv/wwwnytimes.com/1987/03/29/magazine/nico- tine-harder-to-kickthan-heroin.htmI?pagewanted=all&s- “Tobacco|s often the most continuous drug used, ‘even during periods of abstinence from other drugs.” — Dr. Susan Blank.