Using nicotine, whether in smokeless tobacco or as an inhaled product, can quickly lead to addiction. In small doses, nicotine can act as a stimulant. It can also function as an appetite suppressant, but the goal of weight loss can’t outweigh the damage done by tobacco use over time.
What is Nicotine?
Nicotine is an organic compound found in tobacco plants. Smokers, vapers, and those who use smokeless tobacco can all quickly develop a need for this compound. Once inhaled or placed along the gumline, it’s absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. For those working to quit, supplemental nicotine in gum, lozenges, or patches can help.
The highly addictive nature of nicotine cannot be overlooked. Many smokers who quit years ago can quickly develop cravings in the presence of other smokers. Those who capped off a great meal with a cigarette may be surprised by a craving after dessert. Smokeless tobacco users who enjoy using the product before engaging in a hobby or activity may feel the craving years later as they engage in the hobby or activity.
Impact of Nicotine
Increased cortisol levels
Cortisol is the stress hormone that occurs naturally in the body after waking. If you’re under constant stress, your cortisol level may remain unnaturally high throughout the day. High cortisol levels can make it hard to sleep or cause you to carry extra weight around your waist.
Quitting smoking can cause a temporary elevation in cortisol levels; cravings can increase your discomfort and stress levels. There are many ways to lower your cortisol levels naturally, including time with pets, laughter, and a conversation with a good friend.
Once you have stopped taking in nicotine, your cortisol levels should drop as the toxins leave your system. Because nicotine is a stimulant, some of the long-term withdrawal symptoms may include brain fog and a low mood. Be gentle with yourself; full withdrawal may take a month. It should be noted that the most uncomfortable symptoms of nicotine withdrawal shouldn’t last more than a few days.
Lower estrogen and testosterone levels
If you’re still smoking in your 40s and 50s, blood tests that check your hormone levels can be skewed. Nicotine is known to block estrogen production in the brain. Women who smoke tend to enter menopause earlier.
Men who use smokeless tobacco tend to have a lower testosterone level while using the product. Over time, men who consistently use tobacco also have a lower sperm count.
Reduced HGH secretion
If you’re working to put on muscle, be aware that nicotine can hurt protein function in the bloodstream. A blood test is key for those concerned about low HGH levels. Supplementation may help, but careful monitoring for HGH side effects for females and males alike.
Insulin resistance
Smoking can lead to a higher blood sugar level. For smokers who quit but return to the habit, the risk of high blood sugar goes up each time they take up tobacco again.
Long-Term Consequences on Hormonal Health
Chronic fatigue
Nicotine is a stimulant, but one that you can quickly build up a tolerance for. Once you have a tolerance for it, you need it. Not getting the nicotine you crave can leave you feeling exhausted. Nicotine withdrawals can also hurt your ability to concentrate.
Mood swings and mental health
Taking a stimulant out of your daily routine can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. Additionally, the time spent smoking a cigarette is also often associated with a break; most people can’t smoke in their workplace. Many choose not to smoke in their homes. Breaking the connection between a cigarette and a break can allow you to take a mental health break without reaching for a cigarette.
Increased risk of hormone-related diseases
Nicotine increases your risk of low HGH, low estrogen, and low testosterone. It also increases your cortisol levels over time. High cortisol levels can be incredibly destructive to the body, impacting everything from your waistline to food cravings to sleep quality.
Breaking an attachment to cigarettes, vaping, or smokeless tobacco is a multi-step process. Many smokers and vapers have an automatic routine that happens when they light up; they may not even recognize the habitual steps it takes to take that first puff. Talk with your doctor about your desire to break the tobacco habit. Consider also working with a behavioral counselor or coach to build healthier automatic choices.