In his article, "Smoke Gets in Your Brain," Professor of Biology, Henry A. Lester, Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at UCSB, describes the neurological effects of nicotine addiction. There are quite a few behavior patterns and habits altered by the use of this drug.
Compulsion
Compulsive drug-seeking behavior is the result of chemical (neurotransmitters) changes in the brain that stimulate the desire for another cigarette to recreate the "good feelings" associated with nicotine consumption, as cited by The Endowment for Human Development in their "Research Report Series: Nicotine Addiction."
Appetite Suppression
The Endowment for Human Development's "Research Report Series: Nicotine Addiction," also relates how the effect of nicotine on the metabolic process induces a state of hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar). The effect of hyperglycemia on appetite suppression is discussed in the article, "Drugs and Smoking."
Sleep
In their article relating to studies involving smoking and sleep patterns, Consumer Affairs.com, February 4, 2008, discusses the relationship of nicotine to changes in sleep patterns.
Disregard for Health
The alteration in brain chemicals caused by nicotine addiction, with the accompanying compulsive need for cigarettes, is behind the failure of most smokers to quit in spite of negative health warnings as reported in BodyandHealth.Canada.com's article, "What's in Smoke".
Chemically Induced Alertness
In the article "Drugs and Smoking", Princeton University Health Services details the mechanism by which nicotine chemically stimulates increased alertness and energy.
Tags: article Drugs, article Drugs Smoking, Drugs Smoking, Endowment Human, Endowment Human Development, Human Development, Report Series