Nicotine

Other consequences 2

Nicotine also causes the release of glucose from your glucose stores into your blood. The brain senses the elevated glucose levels, and ‘thinks’ you have just eaten. It stops releasing substances that make you feel hungry. This may be why you feel less hungry after a cigarette.

Nicotine also acts through the brain to influence your metabolism. Smokers have a slightly higher metabolism than non-smokers, and they weigh an average of four kilos less.

Nicotine also temporarily sharpens your concentration. This has been scientifically demonstrated, but researchers have not yet discovered exactly what happens in the brain. One probable explanation is that more of the neurotransmitter glutamate is released in the hippocampus, thus activating this small area of the brain.