Nicotine

Nicotine is a chemical compound that is produced by several kinds of plants, including the tobacco plant. All tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, hookah, and e-cigarettes contain nicotine.

When you smoke tobacco, the air sacs in your lungs absorb the nicotine, and it’s then released into your bloodstream. The substance circulates in your entire body before finally travelling to the brain. Upon reaching the brain, it activates the cholinergic receptors which can disrupt the normal functioning of the organs.

Nicotine can lead to a range of negative impacts on the body like the stimulation of the adrenal gland, which leads to a sudden surge of adrenaline across the body. This results in an immediate release of glucose. 

Additionally, it can also cause an increase in breathing activity, intense heart rate, and high blood pressure. It also prompts the pancreas to create less insulin, which boosts glucose or blood sugar.

Individuals find themselves hooked to nicotine since it releases dopamine in the motivation and pleasure center of the brain. 

Some other effects include:

• Increase in heart stroke volume, heart oxygen consumption rate, and overall heart rate. 
• Enhanced state of euphoria, alertness, and a relaxing sensation
• Improvement in concentration and memory due to the increased norepinephrine and acetylcholine. Norepinephrine also causes a sensation of arousal and wakefulness.

Despite the effects mentioned above, nicotine is deemed to be quite harmful, since it can cause many side effects like:

• Increased tendency of blood clots
• Lightheadedness and dizziness
• Disturbed or irregular sleep patterns
• Possible restriction of blood to the brain
• Vomiting and nausea
• Indigestion
• Diarrhoea
• Dry mouth
• Peptic ulcers
• Heartburns
• Change in heart rhythm and rate
• Constriction to coronary artery

All in all, nicotine consumption and addiction can cause grave damage to your body and several of its essential organs. 

This is precisely where a nicotine test comes in. It helps measure the level of nicotine and other chemicals produced by it. Only a saliva, blood or urine sample is required for the same. 

Nicotine test is usually ordered when you apply for a new job. An insurance company may also require nicotine test when applying for health insurance. Additionally, the test is often ordered before certain surgeries, for smoking cessation programs, or by the court during child custody cases. 

Doctors generally order this test if they suspect an overdose.  

This test works in two different ways and can help determine several things:

• Quantitative testing: Quantitative testing measures the concentration level of nicotine or cotinine (a by-product) present in the body. It offers more precise information about an individual’s smoking habits. For example, it offers information about whether a person is an active smoker or if they recently quit smoking. Moreover, if you don’t smoke tobacco but have still been around tobacco smoke, it can detect that as well.
• Qualitative testing: This test is more straightforward than quantitative testing, wherein it simply indicates whether your body has any presence of nicotine. 

Get a comprehensive nicotine test done from Apollo 24|7, right from the comfort of your house!

Medically reviewed by Dr. S V Prashanthi Raju, General Physician/Internal Medicine, Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.