Surprising Impacts of Nicotine on the Body

Scientists have long noticed that smokers tend to be thinner than nonsmokers. This has lead to research studies to determine the effect of nicotine on the human body. Here are some of the ways that nicotine can help with weight loss.

Reduction of Insulin Levels

Using nicotine may reduce your body’s insulin levels. The cells in your digestive track are triggered to be more active. This increase makes your body digest food at a faster pace. At the same time, adrenaline is secreted in your stomach lining. This can trick your body into not craving food as often. Insulin levels that are maintained reduce your urge to consume sugary foods. This then acts as an appetite suppressant. Nicotine also acts as a diuretic. This reduces the calcium levels in your blood.

Suppression of Nerve Cells

Nicotine causes certain cells in your brain to respond in different ways. The part of the brain that contain these cells is the hypothalamus. This area of the brain helps to regulate your appetite. These types of cells are called POMC cells. The study performed at Yale University showed that these POMC cells became more active in the presence of nicotine. It was through the fight or flight response system that these cells were triggered by the nicotine. This showed an overall reduction in appetite in the test subjects.

Substitution for Eating

Many smokers tend to trade their source of nicotine over food. This overall reduction in caloric intake may serve as a significant source of weight loss. Nicotine has been demonstrated as an effective appetite suppressant. Not having an appetite makes people less willing to eat. Continuing to use nicotine on a long term basis may help to maintain the feeling of not wanting to eat. Weight gain can be a side effect of stopping smoking. This may serve as a deterrent for those that want to stop smoking. Nicotine is also addictive when used in high doses.

Other Sources of Nicotine

Scientists are studying the possibilities of other sources of nicotine for diet drugs. There are health risks to smoking cigarettes. Using a nicotine patch may provide some of the same appetite suppressant benefits. A water bong may be another source for nicotine. As more research is conducted, better diet drugs may be developed. Having an understanding of how nicotine impacts the body may lead to further health benefits.

Nicotine has far reaching implications for the development of medical treatments. Weight loss may be only the jumping off point.