"Smoking is harmful to health", this is like an old alarm bell, always ringing in people's ears, it has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and has become a golden rule in the field of public health.
However, among the many components of tobacco, nicotine, the culprit that makes people want to stop, and the controversy about whether it causes cancer or not is like a fog, has never been completely dispelled.
Nicotine is a name that is so common that almost everyone knows its notoriety. It is the most well-known ingredient in tobacco and the main culprit of dependence.
However, when we mention its relationship with cancer, people tend to equate it with carcinogenesis without thinking. However, is the truth really so simple and straightforward?
01
Smoking is harmful to health is a "big scam", nicotine does not cause cancer at all?
Nicotine, the core ingredient in cigarettes, is also known as nicotine, which is characterized by a bitter taste and an unpleasant smell, but in the form of a clear and transparent oily liquid that can even quietly penetrate our skin.
When it comes to the dangers of smoking, people often think of carcinogens, but surprisingly, nicotine is not on this carcinogenic blacklist.
According to the 2014 U.S. Surgeon General's Report, there is no evidence that nicotine causes cancer. Similarly, in 2017, the US FDA reaffirmed that there is no direct causal relationship between nicotine and cancer.
After years of clinical research, we have not found a conclusive link between nicotine and cancer. Therefore, we can confidently say that nicotine does not directly cause cancer.
However, this does not mean that nicotine is harmless. In fact, it is extremely addictive. Nicotine stimulates N-choline receptors in our nervous system, a response that prompts the brain to secrete neurotransmitters such as dopamine.
These neurotransmitters can bring us feelings of euphoria and pleasure, which can lead to a strong dependence and addiction to cigarettes. As a result, nicotine remains one of the most harmful ingredients in cigarettes.
02
How toxic is nicotine?
Nicotine, such a frightening toxic substance, you may not imagine, the nicotine contained in an ordinary cigarette is enough to poison an innocent guinea pig.
And when this dose is doubled to the nicotine content of 20 cigarettes, it is enough to kill a sturdy cow. If a person ingests a large amount of nicotine in a short period of time, the dose is about 50~70 mg, which is equivalent to inhaling 40~60 cigarettes, then his life will also face a huge threat.
When smoking, nicotine is quickly absorbed by our body and quickly enters the brain. This leads to the release of adrenaline, which causes the heart rate to increase, blood pressure fluctuates, and even restricts blood flow to the heart muscle. Such a physiological response will make the smoker feel that his breathing is shallow and his heart is racing.
Nicotine also affects our blood sugar levels, inhibits the secretion of insulin, and keeps smokers in a state of high blood sugar for a long time. This condition not only makes smokers feel a loss of appetite, but can also lead to a series of health problems.
For pregnant women, nicotine is like an invisible killer. It can cross the placental barrier into the fetus's bloodstream and cause severe damage to the fetus's nervous system. This can lead to a series of tragedies such as premature birth, stillbirth, congenital malformations, and developmental abnormalities.
And for adolescent teenagers, long-term exposure to nicotine may have long-term effects on their learning and cognitive abilities. Symptoms such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and anxiety may occur frequently.
More seriously, nicotine exposure may also increase their risk of substance abuse, making them more dependent on addictive substances such as alcohol and cocaine.
03
How many out of 100 smokers will end up with lung cancer?
The British Journal of Cancer reveals the fact that in the statistics on lung cancer mortality, non-smokers have a negligible chance of dying from lung cancer at the age of 75, at just 0.3%.
However, for those who have been indulging in tobacco smoke for a long time, the probability has soared to 16%. Even more shocking is the fact that for those who burn more than five cigarettes a day, the risk of dying from lung cancer before the age of 75 is as high as 25%.
This means that in such a group, up to 25 out of every 100 smokers could face the fatal threat of lung cancer. The dangers of tobacco are not limited to lung cancer.
In fact, data shows that one-third of those who have been addicted to smoking throughout their lives do not live to the age of 65, dying prematurely due to various diseases caused by smoking.
Although we can also see that many long-term smokers do not die of lung cancer, this does not mean that smoking does not cause harm to their health.
Because everyone reacts differently to the harmful substances in tobacco, we can't guarantee that we won't be the ones targeted by lung cancer. Therefore, in the face of such data and facts, we can no longer turn a blind eye to the dangers of smoking.
04
To scientifically quit smoking and protect health, doctors give 6 tips
In order to take care of our physical health and move towards a smoke-free life, we need to take a series of scientific and determined measures to quit smoking. Here are six essential tools for us to quit smoking:
1. Move towards a healthy diet
: During the smoking cessation period, we should moderately reduce the intake of meat. Because the purine substances in meat, like invisible promoters, will stimulate our cravings for cigarettes and make our cravings for cigarettes stronger. Choose more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to help your body gradually move away from the temptation of tobacco in a fresh meal.
2. Sweat and embrace the sun
: Regular physical exercise can not only shape a toned body, but also gradually reduce our dependence and desire for nicotine in the process of sweating. Every exercise is a baptism of the body, making the mind more happy and firm in the sun.
3. Self-motivation and forge ahead
: Whenever we make a certain achievement on the road to quitting smoking, we might as well give ourselves a small reward. This positive feedback mechanism is like a compass that guides us to move forward until we reach the smoke-free side.
4. Keep track of your steps to quit smoking: Quitting smoking is a long and challenging process, so it's important to keep a quit diary. By documenting the benefits and feelings of quitting, we can remind ourselves of why we stick with it and the benefits of quitting.
5. Scientific intervention and follow the doctor's instructions
: In the process of quitting smoking, the addiction to smoking is like a stubborn enemy, and sometimes we need to use the power of drugs to restrain it. Under the guidance of a doctor, the rational use of smoking cessation drugs can help us to overcome smoking cravings more effectively and move towards health.
6. Encouragement and support from family members
: The road to quitting smoking is not alone, and the company and encouragement of family members are the most solid backing for ex-smokers. The support and understanding of family members can help ex-smokers to be more determined in the face of difficulties, so as to overcome their cravings and embrace a healthy life.