In order for nicotine to exert the many effects, the substance must reach the brain. Nicotine is consumed in two forms; oral consumption (i.e., swallowing), and inhalation into the lungs (generally by smoking). When nicotine is inhaled into ones lungs, the substance adheres to the lining of the nasal passages (the nasal mucosa) through which they enter directly into the bloodstream (Has, 2006). Once entered into the bloodstream, the substance is transported throughout the body to various organs and organ systems, including the brain. Through research, one will find that the effects of nicotine within a pregnant female can be deadly. For example, nicotine is able and will cross the placenta. During this process the nicotine will enter the fetus’ bloodstream and can cause many birth defects or even death. After examining some of the side effects of nicotine use, one may ask, “Why do people continue to use nicotine?” Researchers have attempted to answer this question, by stating the use of nicotine is similar to the use of other illegal substances.
Many studies have been conducted in order to examine the effects of nicotine and the relationship between motivation and the human brain. For example, one study researched the “startle probe methodology was used to examine the effects of nicotine (and nicotine deprivation) on emotional processes associated with drive and motivation. The startle (eye blink) response is an orienting reflex, which occurs during the presentation of an unexpected auditory stimulus (probe). This study finding suggest nicotine deprivation predisposes the smoker to respond to negative emotional cues with enhanced activation of the defensive system while nicotine helps suppress defensive responding. Taken together, this evidence suggests nicotine influences brain structures related to drug motivation and emotion” (Cinciripini, Cater, Robinson, et al. n.d.). After reviewing the findings, the author of this paper began to examine her own personal...