Tobacco (nicotine)

Nicotine stimulates the release of numerous neurotransmitters and hormones, including acetylcholine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, arginine vasopressin, serotonin, dopamine, and β-endorphin, which are responsible for most of its psychoactive effects.

Nicotine has a stimulating effect (and increases concentration), and at higher doses it also has a calming and muscle-relaxing effect; it reduces feelings of hunger, anxiety, and aggression, and can produce mild euphoria.

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Onset of action
Nicotine is released immediately when the cigarette is lit. Nicotine, bound to tar particles, first enters the lungs and from there into the blood. After 7 to 60 seconds, the nicotine molecules reach the brain.

‍Duration of action
10-30 minutes

‍Modesof use
Tobacco is mostly smoked, less frequently snorted or chewed. Nicotine is vaporized in e-cigarettes. Do not eat tobacco / nicotine under any circumstances!

‍Appearances
Tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco (snus), tobacco heaters (IQOS)). Synthetic: liquid for e-cigarettes (mostly as cartridge).

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Individual and dependent on the form of consumption; 0.2-2 mg nicotine. The lethal nicotine dose for adults is about 60 mg, for children and adolescents much lower.

• Tobacco is a legal, freely available and socially accepted drug. However, this does not mean that this psychoactive substance is low-risk and harmless to health.

• With e-cigarettes or vaporizers (vaporisers), there are ways to consume tobacco with less risk.

• Nicotine is easily absorbed through all mucous membranes of the body. There are therefore lower-risk products such as snuff, chewing tobacco or nicotine gum.

• If you shoot yourself, make sure you use good filtering methods.

• For people with cardiovascular problems, risk of heart attack, lung and respiratory problems (asthma, bronchitis), it is recommended not to consume tobacco or to consume only small amounts.

• Women who use hormonal contraception run an increased risk of circulatory disorders, thromboses, varicose veins and thus heart attacks, strokes or pulmonary embolisms (blockage of blood vessels in the lungs) when they use tobacco. Women over 30 are particularly at risk.

• Smoking during pregnancy is generally not advisable, as the toxins in tobacco smoke enter the bloodstream of the foetus via the placenta.

• Always press out your cigarettes well. There is a risk of fire!

• Do not eat tobacco. If tobacco or tobacco dissolved in water is accidentally swallowed (especially by children), an emergency call should be made immediately. There is a danger to life!