Biological basis of tobacco addiction: Implications for smoking-cessation treatment

Abstract

Tobacco use became common all over the world after discovery of Americas. Tobacco, a plant carries in its leaves an alkaloid called nicotine, which is responsible not only for several pathophysiological changes in the body but also develops tolerance to its own action with repeated use. Studies suggest that the alpha-4 beta-2 nicotine acetylcholine receptor subtype is the main receptor that mediates nicotine dependence. Nicotine acts on these receptors to facilitate neurotransmitter release (dopamine and others), producing pleasure and mood modulation. Repeated exposure to nicotine develops neuroadaptation of the receptors, resulting in tolerance to many of the effects of nicotine. Withdrawal symptoms appear on stoppage of tobacco use, which are characterized by irritability, anxiety, increased eating, dysphoria, and hedonic dysregulation, among others. Smoking is also reinforced by conditioning. Pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation should reduce withdrawal symptoms and block the reinforcing effects of nicotine obtained from smoking without causing excessive adverse effects.

Self-Medication Practice Among Consumers in Sana’a City

“…Nicotine in cigarettes was found to produce pleasure, mood modulation [38,39], induces stimulation and may improve concentration [40]. Moreover, cigarette additives were found to have some pharmacological effects.…”

Effective Factors in First Drug Use Experience Among Male and Female Addicts: A Qualitative Study

“…Addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder, during which drug consumption is continued, despite its catastrophic outcomes (2). Substance abuse and dependence is one of the major sanitary, mental, and social problems of the current era and is on top of the most important issues in healthcare services, worldwide, directly effecting individuals (3).…”

Oral health status among the adult tobacco users in a selected rural area of Bangladesh

“…Cancer of the oral cavity is high among men, where oral cancer is the eighth most common cancer in the world. Incidence rates of oral cancer are high in developing countries, particularly in areas of South Central Asia where cancer of the oral cavity is among the three most frequent types of cancer [2][3][4] . World wide tobacco use among the adult is associated with a high risk of oral health problem.…”