Nicotine, a chemical most commonly found in the plants of the Solanaceae family, can be an alkaloid and is found accumulated in the leaves of the plants, though the biosynthesis of this chemical occurs in the roots of the plants. Nicotine is one of the major the different parts of addictive plants like tobacco (0.6%-3.0%) and ‘s the reason behind their addiction in humans because of its psychoactive nature.
The follow are 10 interesting factual statements about nicotine.
1. Etymology
The name nicotine comes from the scientific name of the tobacco plant Nicotiana tabacum. The scientific name of the tobacco plant is itself named the French ambassador to Portugal Jean Nicot de Villemain. Villeman is credited for sending tobacco seeds and plant saplings to Paris in 1560 because of its use in medicinal purposes.
2. Extraction
Nicotine was first extracted from the tobacco plant by German physician Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Posselt and chemist Karl Ludwig Reimann in 1828. After its discovery Posselt and Reimann labelled it as a poison. Actually nicotine is an antiherbivore chemical, which causes addiction when consumed in small amounts (1mg or less) and death if taken in high amounts (30mg-60mg).
3. Chemistry
Nicotine is an alkaloid with the chemical formula C10H14N2. Its IUPAC name is 3[2,5-1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl]pyridine. It includes a molecular mass of 162.12g/mol. Nicotine is a hygroscopic liquid which is miscible with water as a nitrogenous base. Its density is 1.01g/cm3, melting point -79oC and boiling point 247oC. The nicotine molecule includes a half life of 2 hours and its own metabolism is hepatic. Nicotine is also optically active and contains two enantiomeric forms.
4. Nicotine being an insecticide
As already said nicotine is an antiherbivore drug which if used huge amounts is fatal to life forms. This is why nicotine laden tobacco has been used being an insecticide even before the World War II. But after the WWII its usage drastically lowered because of the option of cheap synthetic insecticides which tend to be more readily available than tobacco and less bad for mammals. However in the recent times the hype surrounding organic farming has again increased the interest of the farmers in the use of tobacco as a pesticide being an alternate to chemical pesticides.
5. Nicotine addiction
Our central nervous system has certain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Nicotine binds to several of these and increases the quantity of several neurotransmitters. Among these neurotransmitters dopamine is one particular neurotransmitter that is significantly increased during nicotine use and is responsible for the sense of euphoria and relaxation caused by the utilization of tobacco (nicotine) products.
6. Psychoactive effects of nicotine
Nicotine is really a psychoactive substance as it is mood altering. It causes both euphoria and relaxation. Within the body nicotine is metabolised in the liver. First after its metabolism nicotine results in the release of glucose from the liver and epinephrine from the adrenal medulla. This sudden release of glucose and epinephrine causes euphoria following the intake of nicotine. Following the initial euphoria nicotine leads to relaxation, increased alertness and sharpness by focusing on different neurotransmitters of your body. Nicotine also offers pain relieving properties.
7. Side effects of nicotine intake
Tough it seems like nicotine is a wonderful substance to improve one’s sharpness, induce calmness and elevate one’s mood there are more negative aspects of nicotine intake than positive. Among these the most common unwanted effects of nicotine intake are an elevated threat of hypertension and heart attacks. It is sad that every cigarette a man smokes reduces his life time by 14 years. Moreover since nicotine has been found to affect the working of Estrogen on hippocampus, hence in the long term nicotine users are inclined to amnesia and other related diseases.
8. Toxicity
Nicotine is known as to become more toxic than most common drugs like heroin and cocaine. More harm is done by nicotine to the body because it is readily absorbed by the bloodstream and reaches the brain through the lungs within 7 seconds of its intake either orally or as nicotine patches.
9. Use of nicotine in medical science
Though nicotine isn’t a doctor’s best friend, it is yet not his worst foe. Nicotine known for its pain relieving properties is being researched upon to be utilized as a potential pain killer minus its harmful effects. Nicotine has also been found to lessen preeclampsia, allergic asthma; among others by acting being an anti-inflammatory agent.
10. Nicotine in literature
Nicotine has been personified in popular literature as Nick O’ Teen, a humanoid villainous character in Superman comics which was created as part of anti-nicotine drive to educate children concerning the ill-effects of nicotine intake in virtually any form.
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