Nicotine Cravings

When someone uses tobacco products, the nicotine in the product is absorbed into the bloodstream and causes the brain to release a chemical called dopamine, which produces feelings of pleasure and relaxation.

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A nicotine craving is an intense desire for nicotine that can occur when a person who is used to using tobacco products goes without them for a period of time.

 

Cravings for nicotine can be physical and psychological in nature and can be triggered by various factors, such as seeing someone smoking, smelling tobacco smoke, feeling stressed, or experiencing other triggers that are associated with the act of smoking. An average craving lasts approximately two minutes at a time. 
 

The cycle of smoking plays a large roll in the pattern of behavior that many people who smoke tobacco products go through on a regular basis.

 

Here is an overview of the cycle of smoking:

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1. Pre-smoking trigger: A person may experience a trigger that prompts them to want to smoke, such as feeling stressed, bored, or socializing with other smokers.
    

2. Smoking: The person smokes a cigarette or tobacco product, which releases nicotine into their bloodstream. As you inhale the nicotine, you are also inhaling oxygen and those deep breaths produces feelings of pleasure and relaxation, which reinforce the person's desire to smoke.
    

3. Withdrawal: Once the nicotine reaches a person's blood stream (generally about 22 minutes after the last smoke, their body experiences symptoms, such as irritability, anxiety, raised blood pressure, and raised heart rate. These symptoms can be unpleasant and can make the person feel like they need to smoke in order to feel better. When the person smokes again, this will appear to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms, which provides temporary relief and reinforces the cycle of smoking.

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This cycle can be difficult to break because the person experiences both physical and psychological dependence on nicotine. Quitting smoking requires breaking this cycle and finding alternative ways to cope with triggers and manage withdrawal symptoms.

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