Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNicotine’s Acute EffectsMethods of Nicotine UseSigns of UseAddiction & WithdrawalTreatmentHow to Get HelpFAQs

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Nicotine’s Acute Effects

Methods of Nicotine Use

Signs of Use

Addiction & Withdrawal

Treatment

How to Get Help

FAQs

Nicotine’s immediate effects on the body include decreased appetite, heightened mood, increased heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, diarrhea, and increased alertness. In the long term, however, this highly addictive substance affects the body’s cardiovascular, digestive, oral, reproductive, respiratory, and nervous systems in more sinister ways. This article discusses what nicotine does to the body.

Common Short-Term Side Effects of NicotineNicotine affects both the body and mind. Using it can cause:Decreased appetiteDiarrheaGastrointestinal distressHeightened moodImproved memory and alertnessIncreased blood pressureIncreased heart rateIncreased production of saliva and phlegmNauseaSweating

Common Short-Term Side Effects of Nicotine

Nicotine affects both the body and mind. Using it can cause:Decreased appetiteDiarrheaGastrointestinal distressHeightened moodImproved memory and alertnessIncreased blood pressureIncreased heart rateIncreased production of saliva and phlegmNauseaSweating

Nicotine affects both the body and mind. Using it can cause:

What Happens When You Use Nicotine

When you inhale cigarette smoke, the nicotine in the smoke is rapidly absorbed into the blood and affects the brain within 10 seconds. Nicotine then triggers chemical reactions that temporarily boost feelings of pleasure and concentration.

Nicotine is one of the most heavily used drugs in the U.S—and among the most addictive, according to the U.S. Surgeon General.Although cigarette smoking is on the decline, vape and e-cigarette use are on the rise. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns that “e-cigarettes are threatening to addict a new generation to nicotine.”

But these sensations are short-lived, subsiding within minutes. In the long term, nicotine has effects on many different parts of the body:

Nicotine ToleranceIf your body builds up a tolerance, you’ll likely feel tired, edgy, or even depressed when the nicotine wears off, and you’ll crave another cigarette.

Nicotine Tolerance

If your body builds up a tolerance, you’ll likely feel tired, edgy, or even depressed when the nicotine wears off, and you’ll crave another cigarette.

What the Experts Say

To date, there have been studies showing benefits of nicotine, including decreased tension and increased cognition. The stimulant also has shown promise in holding off cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s, delaying the progression ofParkinson’s disease,and treatingADHDandschizophrenia.

Still, health professionals continue to warn about the dangers of nicotine use, especially among adolescents, whose brains continue to develop until age 25. Nicotine may negatively affect the parts of the brain that play a role inattention, memory, learning, andbrain plasticity.

Off-Label and Approved Uses

There are a variety of available NRT products, including:

Forms of NicotineNicotine is rarely marketed as a singular product. Instead, it’s typically sold as an ingredient in:CigarettesNicotine cessation products like gum and patchesLiquid for use in e-cigarettes (vapes)The FDA requires this statement on tobacco products: “WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.”

Forms of Nicotine

Nicotine is rarely marketed as a singular product. Instead, it’s typically sold as an ingredient in:CigarettesNicotine cessation products like gum and patchesLiquid for use in e-cigarettes (vapes)The FDA requires this statement on tobacco products: “WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.”

Nicotine is rarely marketed as a singular product. Instead, it’s typically sold as an ingredient in:

The FDA requires this statement on tobacco products: “WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.”

Cigarette smoking is the primary way people use nicotine, with one pack of cigarettes providing some 250 “hits” of the addictive substance.

In the past several years, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettesandvapes) have joined more traditional nicotine-containing products such as cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco,snuff, andhookahsas popular ways to ingest nicotine.

Cigarette smell is easy to detect on someone who smokes. Vaping is more discreet, but there are still some signs of use:

Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of disease, death, and disability in the U.S., accounting for some 480,000 deaths annually.Despite the data on what nicotine does to the body, 64.4 million Americans (23% of those surveyed) reported using tobacco products or vaping nicotine in the prior 30 days in a national 2023 study.

Tolerance, Dependence, and Withdrawal

Nicotine is extremely addictive, and when used regularly, your body and mind learn to expect a certain amount of nicotine each day. If you don’t fulfill these cravings, withdrawal symptoms can be intense. You can quickly build a tolerance to nicotine, needing more to reach the desired effect. This is one reason why it’s so hard (but not impossible) toquit smoking.

How Long Does Nicotine Stay in Your System?

Nicotine (in the form of a cigarette, pipe, or e-cigarette smoke) is mostly absorbed into the body through the lungs as well as the membranes in the mouth and throat. It can also be absorbed in your gastrointestinal tract (via chewing tobacco, nicotine gum, and lozenges) or your skin if you use a nicotine patch.

Nicotine is metabolized mainly in the liver and is excreted in urine and feces. How long it stays in your system depends on many factors, including your age and weight; the type of nicotine product; frequency of use; and your hydration and physical activity levels.

Here are some general estimates for how long nicotine is detectable in your system:

Many routine drug tests screen for nicotine.

How Long Nicotine Stays in Your System

Addiction

Nicotine is highly addictive, activating the same reward pathways in the brain that drugs such as cocaine andamphetaminesdo, although to a lesser degree. It also increases the level ofdopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure and well-being.

This release of dopamine contributes to the cycle of addiction, as the brain’s dopamine receptors crave more nicotine over time.

The Truth About the Pleasure of Smoking and Nicotine Addiction

Withdrawal

The acute effects of nicotine wear off within minutes, so a smoker must continue smoking frequently to maintain the pleasurable effects. Should nicotine levels drop, the person will begin to feel edgy and agitated. Other physical and psychological symptoms can include:

How Long Does Withdrawal From Nicotine Last?

Treatment for Addiction and Withdrawal

Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) can be effective in quitting the nicotine habit. During a CBT session, a therapist will help you understand your triggers for using nicotine products and teach you healthy coping mechanisms to turn to instead.

Motivational interviewingis another therapeutic technique during which a counselor will help you become more motivated or inspired to pursue your goal of quitting smoking. They will help you answer important questions, such as: What is getting in your way of quitting? How can you align your values with your actions?

In amindfulnesssession, a counselor teaches you how to detach yourself from your cravings for nicotine. Mindfulness practices can help you learn to tolerate your cravings and triggers to smoke instead of giving in to them.

Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. Find out which option is the best for you.

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We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Medications

A doctor may recommend a prescription medication to quit smoking such asChantix (varenicline)orZyban (bupropion).

A doctor might also recommend nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) separately or in addition to another medication. NRT administers small amounts of nicotine without the other toxins in cigarettes and other nicotine products. It can help reduce cravings during nicotine cessation and lessen nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Lifestyle Changes

Let your friends and family know that you’re quitting. By enlisting their support, you improve your chances of success. If you have friends or family who use nicotine, you might request that they refrain around you.

Make a list ofsmoke-free social activities to engage in, such as going to the movies or a museum. Know your triggers to use nicotine, and have a plan to avoid or cope with them. If you associate alcohol with cigarettes, for example, you might avoid drinking or going to bars until you can manage your cravings.

Best Non-Medical Ways to Quit Smoking

Whether you prefer to quit cold turkey or use aquit aid, understand that recovery from nicotine addiction is a gradual process of release. With perseverance, however, freedom from nicotine addiction is doable, rewarding you with proven benefits.

If you or a loved one have a substance use disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one have a substance use disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) regulates nicotine-containing products, which are illegal to sell or distribute to people under 21.

Frequently Asked QuestionsSome research suggests that nicotine can increase the risk of cancer because it damages DNA, but nicotine’s specific link to cancer remains unclear. That’s because cigarettes also contain tar and other known carcinogens.Still, research indicates that people who use nicotine are at a greater risk of developing lung cancer than those who do not use nicotine products.While it’s possible, most people find it easy to stop using nicotine medicine after several months. In general, these products deliver nicotine to your body more slowly and in smaller doses than smoking.Technically, e-cigarettes contain fewer chemicals than cigarettes, but the substances some e-cigsdocontain include harmful substances such as nicotine, heavy metals, and cancer-causing agents.Yes, overdose is possible, though not common. Most often, nicotine poisoning occurs when children mistake nicotine gum or lozenges for candy. Exposure to liquid nicotine in e-cigarettes is also a concern for people of all ages because of its high nicotine concentration.If you or someone you care about experiences the following signs of nicotine overdose, call 911 or poison control (800-222-1222) immediately:Difficulty breathingFaintingHeadacheIncreased or decreased heart rateVomitingWeakness

Frequently Asked Questions

Some research suggests that nicotine can increase the risk of cancer because it damages DNA, but nicotine’s specific link to cancer remains unclear. That’s because cigarettes also contain tar and other known carcinogens.Still, research indicates that people who use nicotine are at a greater risk of developing lung cancer than those who do not use nicotine products.

Some research suggests that nicotine can increase the risk of cancer because it damages DNA, but nicotine’s specific link to cancer remains unclear. That’s because cigarettes also contain tar and other known carcinogens.

Still, research indicates that people who use nicotine are at a greater risk of developing lung cancer than those who do not use nicotine products.

While it’s possible, most people find it easy to stop using nicotine medicine after several months. In general, these products deliver nicotine to your body more slowly and in smaller doses than smoking.

Technically, e-cigarettes contain fewer chemicals than cigarettes, but the substances some e-cigsdocontain include harmful substances such as nicotine, heavy metals, and cancer-causing agents.

Yes, overdose is possible, though not common. Most often, nicotine poisoning occurs when children mistake nicotine gum or lozenges for candy. Exposure to liquid nicotine in e-cigarettes is also a concern for people of all ages because of its high nicotine concentration.If you or someone you care about experiences the following signs of nicotine overdose, call 911 or poison control (800-222-1222) immediately:Difficulty breathingFaintingHeadacheIncreased or decreased heart rateVomitingWeakness

Yes, overdose is possible, though not common. Most often, nicotine poisoning occurs when children mistake nicotine gum or lozenges for candy. Exposure to liquid nicotine in e-cigarettes is also a concern for people of all ages because of its high nicotine concentration.

If you or someone you care about experiences the following signs of nicotine overdose, call 911 or poison control (800-222-1222) immediately:

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