Nicotine

Question 1

Why is nicotine used recreationally?

Answer 1

» relaxation
» mild euphoria
» improve attention & problem solving

Question 2

What are the effects of small doses of nicotine on the central nervous system?
What are the effects of large doses?

Answer 2

SMALL > stimulating action

LARGE > depressing action

Question 3

What are the effects of nicotine on the neurotransmission process?

Answer 3

Nicotine works on the mesolimbic pathway and directly affects the dopamine receptors
&raquo_space; This leads to addiction because the organism will act in order to stimulate the reward pathway.

Question 4

Which neurotransmitters are affected by nicotine and how?

Answer 4

Nicotine directly affects the dopamine receptors in the reward pathway by mimicking the actions of acetylcholine (a natural neurotransmitter) - nicotine is shaped similarly to acetylcholine so it can fin the receptors and act in a similar way

Question 5

Does nicotine cause dependency and withdrawal symptoms?

Answer 5

When nicotine is not there, more dopamine is required to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron to a ‘normal’ level = DESENSITISATION = when more of a substance is required to achieve the same response.
&raquo_space; This leads to addiction because nicotine is needed just to maintain what was normal functioning before the receptors and cell started to change by the binding of the nicotine at the receptors