Nicotine affects receptors in the pleasure center. The brain remembers: relief comes after a cigarette. Over time, there are more receptors, and without nicotine, the nervous system becomes "overheated" β the very withdrawal that makes you smoke again and again.
You think you smoke because you want to. In reality, you smoke because your brain needs a dose to return to a normal state.
Main signs of dependence:
A person smokes more than they planned Attempts to quit are unsuccessful Most of the time is spent smoking or thinking about it Continues to smoke even when there are already health problems
What happens to the body:
Nicotine constricts blood vessels, disrupting blood supply to all organs. The first to suffer are: Lungs β chronic cough, shortness of breath, risk of COPD and cancer Heart and blood vessels β heart attacks, strokes Skin β loses elasticity, ages prematurely Reproductive system β reduced potency and fertility
If you're reading this and something resonates inside β take a step. You don't have to quit forever today. Just start seeking help. Go see a doctor. Ask those who succeeded. You don't have to go through this alone.
Your body is the only place you have to live. It's waiting for you to start treating it with care.