Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that sends a chemical signals to other cells including glands, muscles, and neurons cells. The motor neurons releases this neurotransmitter used at the neuromuscular junction to activate both smooth and skeletal muscles. This indicates that acetylcholine is essential for the functioning of the autonomous and somatic nervous system. Additionally, acetylcholine functions as a autonomic nervous system as an internal transmitter both for the end product produced by the parasympathetic nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system.
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in addiction to nicotine. The acetylcholine receptor system called the nicotinic receptor is a receptor that binds with nicotine. Nicotine binds with acetylcholine receptors because they look a lot like acetylcholine in terms of structure. It activates the action of acetylcholine thereby decreasing anxiety, increasing blood flow in cerebral part of the brain, and improving cognitive processing. The addictive qualities of nicotine are generated due to its impact on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain.
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Nicotine is highly addictive. Its dependence and addiction includes drug tolerance, psychological dependence, relapse after abstinence, compulsive use, and drug-reinforced behavior. It acts as a stimulant and high doses can be harmful to health. Nicotine dependence and tolerance is an increasingly becoming a public health problem across the globe. Evidence indicates that genetics and environment play a significant role in the development of nicotine addiction, tolerance, and dependence. It is clear that nicotine dependence is heritable because it has been attributed to a large number of individual genetic polymorphisms. Environment contribute to the development of nicotine addiction and dependence by one being influenced to make decisions to try drugs, which eventually becomes a habit leading to addiction and dependence. The clinical interventions for nicotine include medication such as non-nicotine and nicotine replacement therapy, and counselling and support groups.
