Nicotine: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Updated: Feb 26, 2019
Tobacco is a plant from which nicotine is extracted. Nicotine is a clear liquid, has a unique odor and is highly addictive. The US Surgeon General determined nicotine to be “as addictive as cocaine or heroin” in 2010. It is, quite literally, a poison. In fact, prior to January 1, 2014, it was used as an insecticide in pesticides until it was banned in the US by the Environmental Protection Agency because it was “too harmful to mammals”. Farmers can suffer “Green Tobacco Sickness” simply from mishandling the tobacco leaves during harvesting.* (1)
Nearly 1 in 5 adults have some sort of smoking habit today.*(2) People love how nicotine stimulates the reward center by elevating their mood and sharpening their cognitive function. Over time they get desensitized and require more and more nicotine to reproduce the effect, eventually becoming enslaved by their cravings. Nicotine reduces fasting blood glucose levels, helping decrease weight. Unfortunately, nicotine also causes increased cell division which “causes increased cancer proliferation….and…accelerates tumor growth.” Nicotine is also known to cause a resistance to chemotherapy, exacerbating an already big problem.
Nicotine has been linked to:
Pancreatic Cancer
Breast Cancer
Cardiovascular problems
Plaque formation
Bronchoconstriction
Respiratory problems
Emphysema
Chronic Bronchitis; COPD
Gastrointestinal problems
GERD
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Immunological problems
Reduced T-cell production
Impaired antigen response
Impaired receptor response
Delayed wound healing
Increase risk of infection
Ocular system problems
Mascular degeneration
Cataract formation
Renal system problems
Chronic kidney disease
Renal artery stenosis
Reproductive system problems
Erectile dysfunction
Decreased testosterone levels
Irregular menstrual cycles
Impaired fertilization
Stillbirth
Miscarriages
Pediatric asthma
Mental retardation
This is by no means a conclusive list.
Citations:
(1) Aseem Mishra, Pankaj Chaturvedi, Sourav Datta, Snita Sinukumar, Poonam Joshi, and Apurva Garg. “Harmful effects of nicotine.” Wolters Kluwer -- Medknow Publications. Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol. 2015 Jan-Mar; 36(1): 24–31. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4363846/
(2) Peters, Steven. “States With the Most Smokers.” 247wallst.Com, 24/7 Wall St., 14 June 2016, 247wallst.com/special-report/2016/06/14/states-with-the-most-smokers/.