Pharmacodynamics Of The Nicotine Patch And IT's Use In Smoking Cessation

            Pharmacodynamics of the Nicotine Patch and It's Use in Smoking Cessations.
             Quitting smoking is one of the hardest habits for people to quit. Thankfully today there are many helpful aids for those who are trying to quit smoking one of which is the Nicotine Patch. NRT's or nicotine replacement therapy's have become increasingly popular in the last decade, partly because of increased health promotion programs aimed at informing the public on the harmful effects of smoking and some possible ways to quit. Another large reason NRT's have become increasingly popular is their availability as an OTC (Over the Counter) drug, instead of having to see a doctor for a prescription. Nevertheless before one attempts to quit smoking they should be aware of the pharmacodynamics of a nicotine addiction (the effects of the nicotine of the body), how the patch works to aid in smoking cessation, possible side effects of the patch and reasons why the patch should not be used by some individuals. .
             Nicotine is one of the most highly addictive substances sold legally. Its Chemical composition is very close to that of heroin, and smoking is related to many serious health problems. Nicotine is so addicting because it increases the levels of certain chemicals such as dopamine ( ) and norepinepherine in the brain (BC Health Guide). Once smoke is inhaled into the lungs the nicotine almost immediately moves across the lung tissues into the bloodstream. Although nicotine is addictive, the harmful effects from smoking are caused by the tars, carbon monoxide and many other toxic chemicals in the tobacco. Quitting is so hard to do because the body becomes dependant on the nicotine. Once the individual refrains from smoking, the level of the dopamine and norepinepherine in the brain drop and the bodies react by having a nicotine withdrawal. (BC Health Guide). Although the withdrawals seem very intense at first, over time the levels of dopamine and norepinepherine will return to normal and the symptoms of withdrawal, and cravings will decrease in severity.