Smoking poses many risks to your overall health, and consistent smoking could negatively impact nearly every organ in your body. Nicotine dependence and smoking can impact your cardiovascular health, respiratory health, reproductive health, and mental health. It has been linked to various cancers and the development of certain chronic diseases. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 7 million people die from smoking every year, as it continues to be a leading cause of death and disease.¹

Nicotine addiction, or dependence, is a physical and psychological dependence on the stimulant drug, nicotine, found in tobacco products and some e-cigarettes. Quitting nicotine can lead you to experience symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, such as cravings, insomnia, appetite changes, and more. Despite this, overcoming nicotine withdrawal and its associated symptoms will be beneficial in the long term for your physical and mental health and will significantly improve your quality of life. Continue reading to learn more about overcoming nicotine withdrawal and how it can significantly improve your health.

Nicotine dependence 

Nicotine dependence, sometimes referred to as a tobacco addiction, is when the body becomes physically and mentally dependent on nicotine. Nicotine is a very addictive stimulant drug, primarily found in tobacco products and e-cigarettes. It is highly addictive due to its impact on the brain’s reward centre.

How is nicotine addictive?

After nicotine enters the blood and travels to the brain, it stimulates the release of chemical messengers in the brain, known as neurotransmitters. The most significant neurotransmitter that plays a role in nicotine addiction is dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.² If you smoke a cigarette, the nicotine in the inhaled smoke reaches the brain within twenty seconds (CAMH), and will bind to specific receptors, to stimulate the release of dopamine. This sends signals to the reward centre of the brain, which interprets this experience as a pleasurable one. Continuous use of nicotine products can create an unhealthy attachment to the pleasurable feeling caused by dopamine, and ultimately lead to nicotine dependence or addiction.

The physiology of nicotine withdrawal 

Due to the impact of nicotine on an individual’s neurochemistry, stopping the use of nicotine-containing products can cause a variety of symptoms, as the body readjusts and heals from chronic nicotine use. When an individual stops using nicotine products, they no longer receive the same stimulation in their brain’s reward centre. This is because nicotine no longer attaches itself to the receptors that release dopamine. As a result, less dopamine in the brain is released, which can lead to certain withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms include 

• Changes in appetite
• Cravings
• Irritability
• Mood changes
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Trouble focusing³ 

Withdrawal symptoms, their severity, and their duration will differ between individuals and could depend on various factors, such as how long the individual has been using nicotine, how often they are using it, and their individual health.

Cardiovascular system recovery 

The heart is one of the organs most impacted by the constant use of nicotine. Over time, smoking increases the risk for various cardiovascular issues such as a heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis (buildup of plaques—fatty materials—on the artery wall, narrowing it), peripheral arterial disease, and coronary heart disease. Additionally, it can increase the risk of clot formation and can lower the levels of HDL (also known as the “good cholesterol”).⁴

Quitting smoking and overcoming nicotine withdrawal will allow some of these consequences to have a ‘reverse effect’ and slowly start healing. Within the first day after quitting smoking, the risk of a heart attack begins to decrease. In addition, within the first few years after quitting, the risk of a stroke and coronary artery disease will drop significantly. After 15 years, the risk for coronary heart disease can drop to around the same level as an individual who doesn’t smoke.⁴ Moreover, quitting nicotine will support and promote healthy heart function and can reduce the risk of many cardiovascular diseases. 

Respiratory health improvements

Nicotine and smoking can cause and increase the risk of a wide range of respiratory illnesses, as they slow down lung development and negatively impact lung function.^5,6 Therefore, one of the most significant health improvements after quitting the use of nicotine products is improved lung function and reduced risk of respiratory diseases. The lungs and respiratory system are highly affected by nicotine and other chemicals found in cigarette smoke, including tobacco and tar. Smoking is one of the leading causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a chronic condition that limits breathing caused by damage to the lungs. It causes symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing. Long-term use of nicotine products increases the risk of tuberculosis and can even exacerbate asthma.

Despite this, the respiratory system can recover and heal to a certain extent once someone stops smoking. After quitting nicotine, the risk of various respiratory illnesses, such as respiratory cancers and respiratory infections, can decrease. Quitting smoking can also slow down and limit the progression of COPD and can reduce respiratory problems such as coughing, trouble breathing, and wheezing.⁵ Overcoming nicotine withdrawal and its associated symptoms can allow the lungs to repair themselves and will improve lung function significantly in the long term. 

Cancer risk reduction

Nicotine-containing products are associated with higher risks of various cancers. This includes lung, oesophageal, pancreatic, bladder, stomach, and kidney cancers. This is especially true for tobacco products, such as cigarettes, as they contain chemicals or substances that cause cancer, also known as carcinogens. These carcinogens can damage DNA and can impact the ‘tumour suppressor’ genes that regulate cell growth and survival. This DNA damage can cause uncontrolled cell growth, which leads to the formation of cancerous growths or tumours. Additionally, carcinogens in nicotine products can damage the immune system, which will consequently impact the body’s ability to fight off cancer cells.⁷  

Quitting nicotine will reduce the risk of cancer. After quitting smoking for 10-15 years, the risk of lung cancer is lowered by 50%. Twenty years after quitting, the risk of cancers of the pancreas and oropharynx decreases to a similar level of a non-smoker.⁷ Although quitting earlier will be the most effective in terms of reducing the risks for these cancers, stopping the use of nicotine products at any age can still reduce these risks. 

Neurological and mental health improvements 

Initial nicotine withdrawal symptoms include changes in mood and behaviour, anxiety, depression, increased stress, and irritability. However, it is crucial to note that these symptoms are temporary, and quitting nicotine-containing products will significantly improve mental health in the long term. A chronic nicotine user is dependent on nicotine because it promotes the release of dopamine, which stimulates their reward centre, creating a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction. Over time, the brain starts to depend on nicotine to maintain these feelings of pleasure. However, when an individual stops the use of nicotine, their dopamine levels drop, which leads to chemical imbalances in the brain. This drop in dopamine and the chemical imbalance it results in will lead to the initial withdrawal symptoms of anxiety, irritability, and depression. This also leads to nicotine cravings, which further lead to irritability.⁸ 

Although these symptoms seem daunting, they are temporary, and research shows that quitting nicotine will improve mental well-being and reduce stress and anxiety in individuals. This is because, over time, the brain is restoring its natural chemical balance and is no longer relying on nicotine to stimulate its dopamine release. Moreover, this leads to improved mood, reduced stress, and improved mental well-being overall.⁹ 

Summary 

Stopping the use of nicotine-containing products will initially cause withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, stress, and irritability. However, nicotine withdrawal symptoms are temporary as the brain is re-establishing its natural chemical balance. Continued use of nicotine products will increase the risk for cardiovascular illnesses, respiratory illnesses, and cancer, which will also negatively impact mental health over time. Quitting nicotine, despite the initial withdrawal symptoms, will be much more beneficial in the long term. This is because it will result in a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders, and various cancers, as well as decreased stress and anxiety in the long run. For each nicotine-free day, the body heals itself, and the risk of diseases is significantly reduced.