Nicotine

Other cosequences

Via the brain, nicotine stimulates the adrenal glands to release adrenaline into the blood. Adrenaline would normally be released only when you are frightened or stressed. Adrenaline increases your blood pressure, breathing rhythm and heartbeat. This makes you feel exhilarated and energetic

Smokers often say that smoking calms them down when they are tense and peps them up when they are tired. This depends on the amount of nicotine consumed. If you ingest a small amount of nicotine, you feel alert and energised because of the adrenaline released in your body. If you ingest more nicotine, you begin to feel relaxed and calm, because the nicotine reduces the withdrawal symptoms from not smoking.