What is Nicotine and is it addictive?

Yes, nicotine is addictive. Most smokers use tobacco regularly because they are addicted to nicotine. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) nicotine dependence is included under the general definition of substance dependence. The criteria for substance dependence is based on a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiologic symptoms indicating that the individual continues use of the substance despite significant substance-related problems (DiFranza, par 1). The definition of nicotine dependence has 7 criteria, and the DSM-IV requires a person to meet at least 3 of the 7 to be considered nicotine dependent (DeFranza, par 2).

In the United States, it is estimated that 18 percent of pregnant women smoke during their pregnancies. This number is quite high, but in defense of mothers who smoke, most want to stop however find it very difficult to quit. “Most smokers identify tobacco use as harmful and express a desire to reduce or stop using it” (Tobacco, 3). An estimated 35 million smokers report wanting to quit smoking each year, but unfortunately only about 6 percent are successful for more than a month.

There are more than 4,000 chemicals found in the smoke of tobacco products. Of these, nicotine is the primary reinforcing component of tobacco that acts on the brain (Tobacco, 2). A key brain chemical involved in medicating the desire to consume drugs is the neurotransmitter dopamine. Research has shown that nicotine increases levels of dopamine in the reward circuits which is what creates the pleasurable sensations experienced by smokers.

Nicotine’s pharmacokinetic properties also enhance its abuse potential. Cigarette smoking produces a rapid distribution of nicotine to the brain, with drug levels peaking within 10 seconds of inhalation. The acute effects of nicotine diminish within a few minutes, along with the feelings of reward. To prevent withdrawal, the smoker has to continue dosing in order to maintain the drug’s pleasurable effects (Tobacco, 3).

Citation:

DiFfanza, Joseph R. “ Implications of the Autonomy Theory of Nicotine Dependence” Medscape General Medicine. (28 Aug. 2002). 14 Apr. 2007.
<www.medscape.com/viewarticle/440407>

“Tobacco Addiction.” National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Report Series. 2006. 10 Apr. 2007.
<http://www.nida.nih.gov/PDF/RRTobacco.pdf>

New research: Maternal smoking related to overweight children

People are well aware of the health consequences of smoking and research studies are being done all over the world, informing the public about new and important findings. For example, a new study suggests that maternal smoking could be linked to childhood obesity. One theory for this is based on muscle growth. The study basically states that babies who are small and thin at birth lack muscle, which is a deficiency that will most-likely persist after birth. It states that the critical period for muscle growth occurs in utero and that there is little cell replication after birth. Furthermore, if nourishment is compromised in utero, muscle will not have the opportunity to grow and develop to its full potential. This situation can be unfortunate because muscle plays a very important role in the functioning of the body, for example burning fat for energy. Due to lack of muscle development, LBW babies may grow up to have a disproportionately high fat mass in relation to lean body mass, which can lead to another danger such as insulin resistance (Barker, 16). Another theory as to why maternal smoking is associated with over-weight children is attributed to the process of “catch up growth,” commonly experienced among LBW infants. Babies born with a lower than average weight go through a period of rapid growth afterward to catch up to where they should be. During accelerated growth, a baby’s body is working extra hard and overcompensating in order to reach normal weight. This can affect the baby’s metabolism, making it harder to regulate food intake and also making the baby more susceptible to weight gain later in life. Also, infants of smoking mothers go through a form of nicotine withdrawal after birth, and similar to smokers trying to kick the habit, may develop problems with appetite control.

Citation:

Barker, David JP. “Low Birth Weight, Early Growth and Chronic Disease Later in Life.”
Pediatric Basics: The Journal of Pediatric Nutrition and Development. 104 (2003): 12-19. 10 Apr. 2007. <http://www.gerber.com/content/usa/html/pages/pediatricbasics/pdffiles/PedBasics_104.PDF>

Source Summary: Causes and Implications of Low Birth Weight Infants

This website was very simple and easy to read, but at the same time was very professional and informative. The focus was on low birth weight (LBW) and the primary determining factors, smoking included among several others. The only problem I found was that the information presented on smoking and LBW was very general. The article’s main purpose was to address the different factors contributing to LBW, so it did not go into details, but instead just gave general information. I thought it gave useful statistics and a basic understanding of the negative outcomes associated with LBW babies.

Citation:

Causes and Implications of Low Birth Weight Infants. Stanford University.
20 Feb. 2007

Source Summary: Truth & Consequences, Addressing Low Birth Weight Infants

This website represents the articles and resources that have appeared in the latest printed
editions of the Expectant Mother's Guide. The Expectant Mother's Guide is a semi
annual publication of Spindle Publishing Company that includes a series of printed
booklets designed to provide expectant and new parents with local resources relating to
pregnancy, childbirth, baby and parenting. This website included a lot of good
information regarding pregnancy, however I only found a little bit if information useful
for research. The article I found most helpful was one that addressed low birth weight
infants. I learned the distinction between normal and low birth weight.

Citation:

Wilson, Ann M. “Truth & Consequences, Addressing Low Birth Weight Infants.” New Jersey
Coalition for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities. 21 Feb. 2007.

Source Summary: Effects of Maternal Cigarette Smoking on Birth Weight and Preterm Birth – Ohio,

The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is a weekly report, prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The series contains data on specific diseases as reported by state and territorial health departments. Also included are reports on topics of international interest and notices of events of interest to the public health community. I found information specific to Ohio regarding effects of prenatal smoking on birth weight and preterm birth. I found this to be a reliable source. The report was compiled from Ohio resident’s birth certificates that since 1989 gave detailed information about maternal behaviors during pregnancy and complications of pregnancy. I never even knew birth certificates contained this kind of information.

Citation:

“Effects of Maternal Cigarette Smoking on Birth Weight and Preterm Birth – Ohio,
1989.” MMWR Weekly 39:38 (28 Sept. 1990): 662-665. 20 Feb. 2007

Source Summary: Low Birth Weight, Early Growth and Chronic Disease Later in Life

Pediatric Basics provides pediatric health care professionals with the latest scientific research affecting the nutrition and development of infants and toddlers. Low birth weight is now known to be associated with increased rates of coronary heart disease and related disorders later in life. Recent observations have shown that impaired growth in infancy and rapid childhood weight
gain exceed the long-term negative health effects of impaired prenatal growth. This article was particularly useful for learning about the effects of LBW and the impact it has on infants both immediate and long-term.

Citation:

Barker, David JP. “Low Birth Weight, Early Growth and Chronic Disease Later in Life.”
Pediatric Basics: The Journal of Pediatric Nutrition and Development.
104 (2003): 12-19. 10 Apr. 2007.
<http://www.gerber.com/content/usa/html/pages/pediatricbasics/pdffiles/
PedBasics_104.PDF>

Source Summary: Tobacco Addiction

Tobacco Addiction includes the latest scientific information about tobacco addiction, intended to help readers understand its harmful effects as well as identify best practices for its prevention and treatment. Understanding tobacco addiction is an important aspect of prenatal smoking because it explains why so many woman continue to smoke while pregnant, despite the obvious risks. Many woman want to stop smoking, however find it very difficult to quit. I learned a lot about tobacco and nicotine addiction and found this source to be very reliable and accurate. The report also included statistics, and I was able to get an idea of tobacco addiction on a broad level.

Citation:

“Tobacco Addiction.” National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Report Series. 2006.
10 Apr. 2007.
<http://www.nida.nih.gov/PDF/RRTobacco.pdf>