what are the effects of the drug nicotine on synaptic transmission?
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Nicotine works on one of the two types of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors.  The two types of acetylcholine receptors are nicotinic (responds to nicotine as well as ACh) and muscarine (responds to muscarine as well as ACh).  The two different types of receptors have different roles in the body.\n\nNicotinic receptors are found in the all the neuromuscular junctions and the pre-ganglionic Autonomic Nervous System.  So nicotine causes all of these receptors to react.
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Impulses at the synapse can be altered by:\n\n1.) Up-or-down regulation of receptors\n\n2.) Levels of enzymes that break down excess neurotransmitters (such as MAO, monoamine-oxidase).\n\n3.) Release of Nitric Oxide by post-synaptic neuron\n\n4.) Inhibitory synapse at axon
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The impulse reaches the terminal end of the motor neuron and breaks open the synaptic vesicles, releasing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft.\nACh then binds to receptor molecules in the motor end plate of the muscle fiber.\nThe action potential is started in sarcolemma and passes along the membrane until it reaches the sarcoplasmic reticulum releasing calcium. Calcium diffuses in sarcoplasm and binds to the troponin in the thin filaments.\nThe binding sites on the actin molecules are freed, allowing\nthe heads of myosin (thick filaments) to attach on the binding sites forming the cross-bridges connections.\nThe cross-bridges shift their angle causing the thin filaments to slide over the thick filaments; this produces the contraction.\n ATP is needed for the last step. ATP is bound to myosin; calcium activates ATP breakdown into ADP and phosphate.\nPart of the energy produced is used to move bridges, the other part is released as heat, increasing the body temperature.\nMore ATP breaks the bond between thick and thin filaments in the cross bridge; calcium returns to thesarcoplasmic reticulum and the thin filaments return to their original position, closing off the binding site to cross bridges and causing the muscle to relaxe.
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Nicotine, and it is extremely addictive.  It is also one of the strongest insecticides known to man.  It is a POISON.
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Effects on the Brain\nScientists have learned a great deal about how THC acts in the brain to produce its many effects. When someone smokes marijuana, THC rapidly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to organs throughout the body, including the brain.\n\nIn the brain, THC connects to specific sites called cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells and influences the activity of those cells. Some brain areas have many cannabinoid receptors; others have few or none. Many cannabinoid receptors are found in the parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement\n\nThe short-term effects of marijuana can include problems with memory and learning; distorted perception; difficulty in thinking and problem solving; loss of coordination; and increased heart rate. Research findings for long-term marijuana use indicate some changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term use of other major drugs of abuse. For example, cannabinoid (THC or synthetic forms of THC) withdrawal in chronically exposed animals leads to an increase in the activation of the stress-response system and changes in the activity of nerve cells containing dopamine. Dopamine neurons are involved in the regulation of motivation and reward, and are directly or indirectly affected by all drugs of abuse.\n\nEffects on the Heart\nOne study has indicated that a user’s risk of heart attack more than quadruples in the first hour after smoking marijuana. The researchers suggest that such an effect might occur from marijuana’s effects on blood pressure and heart rate and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.\n\nEffects on the Lungs\nA study of 450 individuals found that people who smoke marijuana frequently but do not smoke tobacco have more health problems and miss more days of work than nonsmokers. Many of the extra sick days among the marijuana smokers in the study were for respiratory illnesses.\n\nEven infrequent use can cause burning and stinging of the mouth and throat, often accompanied by a heavy cough. Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may have many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers do, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illness, a heightened risk of lung infections, and a greater tendency to obstructed airways. Smoking marijuana increases the likelihood of developing cancer of the head or neck, and the more marijuana smoked the greater the increase. A study comparing 173 cancer patients and 176 healthy individuals produced strong evidence that marijuana smoking doubled or tripled the risk of these cancers.\n\nMarijuana use also has the potential to promote cancer of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory tract because it contains irritants and carcinogens. In fact, marijuana smoke contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke. It also produces high levels of an enzyme that converts certain hydrocarbons into their carcinogenic form—levels that may accelerate the changes that ultimately produce malignant cells. Marijuana users usually inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers do, which increases the lungs’ exposure to carcinogenic smoke. These facts suggest that, puff for puff, smoking marijuana may increase the risk of cancer more than smoking tobacco.\n\nOther Health Effects\nSome of marijuana’s adverse health effects may occur because THC impairs the immune system’s ability to fight off infectious diseases and cancer. In laboratory experiments that exposed animal and human cells to THC or other marijuana ingredients, the normal disease-preventing reactions of many of the key types of immune cells were inhibited. In other studies, mice exposed to THC or related substances were more likely than unexposed mice to develop bacterial infections and tumors.\n\nEffects of Heavy Marijuana Use on Learning and Social Behavi
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There is no scientific link between smoking and any claims like increased concentration, induces sleep or otherwise, peace of mind etc.\n\nHowever it seems Nicotine when it reaches the brain has the capability to "imitate" the neuro singals of many emotions depending upon the individual.\n\nFor e.g. my cousin cannot sleep unless he has a smoke before bed. In his case Nicotine is intiating the "Sleep now" signal.\n\nBut otherwise it doesnt stop/jump-start your Intelligence or anything. IF at all a damage it does, its to the Lungs..\n\nQ.E.D\n\n.:Fishie:.
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If 60mg of nicotine is absorbed by the body, it will kill you. Nicotine poisoning causes vomiting and nausea, headaches, difficulty breathing, stomach pains and seizures. Each of these symptoms can be traced back to excessive stimulation of cholinergic neurons by the nicotine.
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basically its a imbalance in the neuro transmitters that regulate the synapses between neurons
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supposedly, the chemical craving for the drug nicotine is out of your system in 3 days, although some may experience it longer. the most permanent damage to the lungs is emphysema, this is where the aveoli (round, grapelike chambers) walls harden and enlarge so it it difficult for the oxygen to get transferred to the blood. im sure lther are lots of pictures, google it.
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There are no permanent to my knowledge, other than you'll be a hypocritical parent someday.  Short term effects... cotton mouth, short term memory loss, finding stupid things hilarious (Blue Beard the Pirate or the Tick) and couch potatoitis.  How to combat the effects drink Arizona Green Ice Tea or Mountain Dew and get outdoors.\n\n(All my high school friends smoked, but I never did.  My mom used to smoke so it was a form of rebellion.)  : )
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Smoking increases the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, putting additional stress on the system that regulates the heart and blood vessels. \n\nFor more information on the effects of smoking, visit the website below.
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Nicotine is a drug make no mistake about that. You can overdose on just as any drug. Overdose will effect your heart. Follow the instructions please.
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This drug is given for from medicine book ---systoms of schizophrenia, mental order marked by illutions,disrupted thinking,loss of contact with reality. It is first in new class of antipsychotic medications.Reachers believe it works by diminishing the action of dopamine and serotonin, two of the brains chief chemical messengers.                                                                                       Important fact about this drug-----may cause tardive, condition characterized by uncontrollable muscle spasms and twiches of the face. Problem can be permanent,appears mostly in older women.                                             Side effects common are admonial pain, constipation, diminished movement, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, excessive muscle tone, headache, indigestion, low blood pressure, nasal inflammation, neck regidity, rapid heartbeat, rash, tremor, uncontrollable movements, weakness. This is just list of common if want more let me know.       Warnings about this medicine---- if you get muscle stiffness, confusion, irregular or rapid heart beat, excessive sweeting, and high fever CALL DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. hAS OTHER EFFECTS TOO.                                      DO NOT TAKE WITH-----barbiturates such as phenobarbital, carbamazepine,cimetidine,erythomycin,fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole,levodopa, lorazepam,phebytoin, rifampin, any steriod medication, or thioridazine           OVERDOSE SYSTOMS----dizziness;drowsiness, fainting, and rapid heartbeat.                                            NO WHERE IN THE BOOK DID IT SAY IT WAS FOR ALOCHOLISM----but yes I know they use same drugs for different things.
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Nicotine can break down the walls of your blood vessels.  That can lead to hypertension aka "high blood pressure".  Basically, your blood vessels are at risk of not being able to handle the pressure your blood exerts as it is pumped throughout the body.  Lose the smokes, man.  Not only will they kill you, but your CORPSE will smell like cigarettes too.
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Both inhibition and stimulation begin with the same action, release of some signal from a presynaptic neuron onto a postsynaptic neuron.  In most cases, this is a chemical signal where the presynaptic neuron releases small amounts of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft between the pre and postysnaptic neurons.  The neurotransmitter then binds to a receptor on the postsynaptic membrane which then leads to some change in the postsynaptic neuron.  This change could be immediate (opening and/or closing of channels in the membrane) or delayed (activation of some chemical cascade within the neuron).\n\nGenerally, inhibition of a postsynaptic neuron occurs when these changes result in a decrease in the likelihood that the postsynaptic cell will fire an action potential.  This could be by increasing the polarization of the cell membrane or by interfering with processes/channels that would otherwise cause the cell to depolarize.\n\nExcitatation of a postsynaptic neuron is when the effect of the cell causes the cell to increase it's likelihood of firing either by opening channels that cause the balance of ions on either side of the membrane to become less polarized, or by decreasing the threshold required for the cell to fire an action potential.\n\nIt is important to recognize that the neurotransmitter does not determine if the presynaptic effect on the postsynaptic neuron is either excitatory or inhibitory, but rather the events that follow neurotransmitter binding to the postsynaptic receptor.  In other words, the chemical doesn't determine what happens to the cell, the action of the receptor does.
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Nicotine is complex in its effect on the body. I doubt if we know all of its effects.  One of the simplest effects is, it is a vasoconstrictor.  It constricts the small arteries.  This is the basis for Beurger's Syndrome, where some people are highly sensitive to nicotine, and if smokers, they often lose their legs to poor blood flow and neccessary amputation.  It is also the reason, smoking can cause high blood pressure, and can constrict your coronary arteries, contributing to heart attacks.  Nicotine from smoking actually has a protective effect against some diseases, namely Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Ulcerative Colitis.  When addictive smokers stop smoking, they have a great deal of difficulty for years trying to think properly to solve problems.  The nicotine has both a stimulating as well as a soothing effect upon the brain.
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The quantity of neurotransmitters in the terminals is kept relatively constant and independent of nerve activity by tight regulation of neurotransmitter formation. Regulation varies among neurons and is achieved by modifying precursor uptake or the activity of enzymes involved in neurotransmitter synthesis or destruction. Stimulation or blockade of postsynaptic receptors can decrease or increase presynaptic neurotransmitter synthesis.\n\nNeurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft, bind briefly to receptors, and activate them, causing physiologic responses. Depending on the receptor, the response may be excitatory (ie, initiating a new action potential) or inhibitory (ie, inhibiting the development of a new action potential).\n\nThe neurotransmitter-receptor interaction must be terminated quickly so that the same receptors can be rapidly activated repeatedly. The neurotransmitter is quickly pumped back into the presynaptic nerve terminals by active processes (reuptake), is destroyed by enzymes near the receptors, or diffuses into the surrounding area and is destroyed.\n\nAbnormalities of neurotransmitter synthesis, storage, release, or degradation or changes in the number and affinity of receptors can affect neurotransmission and cause clinical disorders