A friend of mine smokes cigarettes and has been constantly trying to get me to do it too. Ive resisted him because im aware of the numerous health risks associated with it, and im also pretty sure it doesnt have any real mental effects (euphoria, hallucinations). He claims it gives you something of a high, and that hes not addicted despite the fact that he does it daily and complains on days he doesnt. Is he completely wrong?
Suggestion:
Not completely, no, it does make you euphoric. Nicotine is a powerful stimulant with many strong mental effects. Among other things, it causes the release of dopamine, the brain's reward chemical, and at the same time reduces the rate at which the body removes it, making it a pleasure amplifier. It's unique among drugs in having that dual effect. But nicotine is unlikely to give you hallucinations in the quantities in a cigarette, you need a near-lethal dose for that. Usually it's effect is more like a cup of coffee with a mellowing effect and a buzz. Since he's uncomfortable going without, he may be wrong that he isn't addicted, but it doesn't sound like he has a serious addiction because if he did he wouldn't be going even a day without!
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