Nicotine

Origin

Nicotine derives its name from Jean Nicot, the French ambassador who introduced tobacco to France in the 16th century, though its use in various forms dates back millennia in indigenous cultures. Its detailed pharmacological understanding began in the 19th century with its chemical isolation and the subsequent scientific identification of its specific receptor targets in the nervous system. This alkaloid is one of the most widely studied compounds for its addictive and systemic physiological effects.

Mechanism

The mechanism of action fundamentally involves nicotine binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), a crucial class of ligand-gated ion channels found extensively throughout the brain and peripheral tissues. This binding stimulates the rapid release of numerous key neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine, which collectively mediate its addictive and physiological effects. Critically, it directly stimulates the release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla, leading to acute increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and a sustained state of sympathetic nervous system activation.