Month: April 2014

Nicotine is one of the most widely used psychoactive substances in the world. Despite its long association with cigarettes and tobacco, nicotine itself is often misunderstood. Many people ask: Is nicotine a stimulant — or something else entirely? The short answer is yes, nicotine is classified as a stimulant, but with a unique twist: it stimulates and relaxes the body in different ways depending on dosage, tolerance, and context. This dual nature is exactly why nicotine feels energizing to some people and calming to others. To understand how this substance works, you need to look deeper into the brain chemistry, the nervous system, and how nicotine interacts with receptors that trigger both stimulation and reward. This article breaks down the science of nicotine as a stimulant, why it feels relaxing…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking-related diseases have killed 10 times more Americans than the combined toll in all the wars the country has fought. And yet smoking continues to be an important part of the military culture. According to the CDC, smoking is more common among military personnel than civilians. Cigarettes are often handed out as awards. They are discounted at military stores. Seeing their superiors smoke is perceived as validation by many young recruits who then pick up the habit. Smoking cigarettes also provides an enjoyable way to while away time between duty hours. Despite knowing about the health risks smoking poses, military personnel continue to smoke, hoping that they will shrug off the habit when they return to civilian life. But nicotine is…