It is only a matter of seconds
after that first puff that nicotine starts to have an effect on your central
nervous system, and the rest of your body. Certain areas of the brain, when
stimulated by nicotine, help you think more clearly. Other areas of the brain
lie in a pleasure center which when stimulated, can make you feel more relaxed
and less anxious.
Nicotine also affects the
hormones produced by the body which creates a chemical dependency to nicotine
and the accompanying craving. Heavy smokers have become dependent on heightened
levels of hormones, stimulated by nicotine, which can have an addictive
quality. They need a cigarette at certain intervals of time. After the
stimulation of the hormones starts to fall, they need another cigarette to bring
them back into the comfort zone. If they do not get that cigarette, the craving
begins.
