Smoking in the Context of the Autonomic Nervous System

Smoking and the Autonomic Nervous

There is much controversy with regard to smoking in the contemporary society, as the practice is widely promoted and accepted in spite of the fact that the masses are well acquainted with the negative effects it can have on the body. In individuals who smoke on a regular basis, the activity lowers baseline stages of nerve activities in the vagal-cardiac areas and has a restructuring effect on arterial baroreceptor-cardiac reflex reactions. The fact that smoking is responsible for a series of autonomic changes is very probable to have a strong effect on how smokers experience acute arterial pressure.

The nervous system functions abnormally as a consequence of people smoking and putting an end to this habit is likely to have a positive effect on it. Actions such as pupil dilatation and heart contraction can be negatively affected as a consequence of a person smoking. The autonomic nervous system is divided in two categories: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The former is responsible for having organs functions effectively while the latter is in charge of body functions.

Nicotine can both be a stimulant and a depressant at the same time. It can stimulate the organism by increasing the heart rate and blood pressure, these being owed to the fact that the individual is likely to increase his breathing as he or she smokes. Similarly, it can act as a depressant as a consequence of the brain being provided with less dopamine when it is not provided with smoke. Smokers also has a paralyzing effect on taste buds, making it more likely for smokers to have a decreased appetite and to lose weight as a result of smoking for prolonged periods of time. In order to avoid having their organs function abnormally, smokers need to end their habit.