Most people already know that smoking can do serious damage to the lungs, but what about the effects it has on the brain?
A shocking study has already revealed just how many minutes one cigarette can shave off your life. But if that alone isn’t enough to make you reconsider, understanding the impact it has on your brain might finally convince you to put the cigarette down for good.
Animated Biomedical developed a 3D simulation that visually demonstrates how smoking and nicotine affect both the body and the brain. They shared the simulation on YouTube, sparking intense reactions from viewers.
“It takes around 10 seconds for the nicotine to reach your brain. This surge of nicotine is so satisfying that you immediately feel better.”
“Over time, your body gets used to the good feelings from nicotine and you can’t do without it. This means you’re addicted.”
“You feel good when your nicotine levels are high and bad when they’re low. This up and down effect goes on all day which is why it can be difficult to give up.”
Healthline confirms that nicotine “activates dopamine signals, creating a pleasurable sensation,” which can lead to the development of a strong tolerance over time.
Unsurprisingly, the video has sparked conversations among viewers.
Another person chimed in, saying: “I have never smoked and I refuse to try it,”
Meanwhile, a third person shared a deeply personal story, detailing how easy it was to get hooked: “Please never touch one, my personal experience I bought a pac of cigarettes out of curiosity and decided to smoke 1 cigarette a day, after smoking just one cigarette for a couple of days I started have this strong craving to smoke another, it turned to two a day, when that pack cigarette was over I wanted to get another and a another soon I was smoking 3 a day and kept craving more, I developed an addiction so finally one day I decided to stop, it was the worst experience ever the withdrawal symptoms was so bad I wasn’t able to sleep although I was so tired and exhausted”
They added: “It was one of the worst experiences of my life. It was absolute hell for almost two months.”
According to Healthline, smoking rewires the brain in ways that make quitting incredibly difficult. When someone stops, they can experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and intense nicotine cravings.
Practicing relaxation techniques, focusing on hobbies, spending time with loved ones, and maintaining a good sleep schedule can also make the quitting process more manageable.
