Varenicline: A Case Study

Nicotine, which is found in Tobacco can cause addiction, which is why so many people who smoke find it extremely hard to quit. When a person inhales the tobacco, nicotine stimulates the brain bringing pleasure and a sense of calm to the addict. When the nicotine in a person’s blood is low the smoker will begin to crave more nicotine and experience anxiety which then brings on the symptoms of restlessness, headaches, hunger, irritability, and difficulty concentrating, until they’re able to have their next cigarette. The nicotine will then counter that anxiety allowing the person to feel calm and relaxed until their nicotine levels are low once again. Knowing that smoking is just as addictive as other drugs, it is obvious that a person who wants to quit smoking might need some professional help in order to do so and be successful. Because nicotine affects the brain, Neurofeedback therapy would be a highly effective treatment for those addicted to smoking. Studies over the years have proven that smokers have more anxiety than non- smokers, and that smoking is related to anxiety. So the key is treating the part of the brain that causes the anxiety. By teaching a person how to train their brain, through various techniques and exercises, they will learn how to control the negative effects of their anxiety and stress without the use of nicotine and finally be free of their nicotine addiction.

In a psychological state, it is known to affect the processes that control movement, emotional response, the ability to experience pleasure and pain. Nicotine has positive effects on motor skills, short-term memory, attention, and other cognitive skills. It also mentions two limitations: “you can get the same dopamine boosting benefits of the drug by simply believing that you’ll do well, which itself releases dopamine” (Begley). Our bodies already release a certain amount of dopamine when needed. If peoples’ bodies start to go off that trend, then bad things could happen.

The two most common ones are called Zyban and Chantix. Both of these medications are considered nicotine-free, since they both interrupt the chemicals in the brain related to nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms, rather than utilize small amounts of nicotine to wean the user off(7). The effectiveness of each of these are cessation rates of 44% for Chantix and 30% with Zyban after a three-month period(7). Once again, coupled with counseling and a strong support from friends and family, your success rate increases.

As reported by Heather’s, Nicotine contains a large amount of toxic substance which can lead to several causes and effects to health. The substances in nicotine effects on the brain and its addicted. When a person smokes, the nicotine substance travels to the brain within 10 seconds and changes the function of the brain. “Blood that enters the lungs to picks up oxygen also pickup something else – the nicotine”. It also rises the blood pressure by five to ten points and heart rate by ten to twenty beats per minute. However, nicotine also performs as a sense of feeling of pleasure. Nicotine reaches to brain within a speedy rate and disperses soon conversely, its increases use of cigarettes.

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include tobacco cravings, headache, nausea, fatigue, drowsiness, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and depressed mood. Tobacco addiction often takes several tries to quit and a doctor should be seen if needed. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse a combination of both behavioral interventions and medication to help people quit smoking are more affective then either alone. Behavioral treatments range from self-help skills to counseling, as well as help in identifying high risk situations and how to deal with them. Nicotine replacement treatments like nicotine gum, nicotine patches, lozenges and inhalers can help to relieve withdrawal symptoms. There are now medications that can help with smoking cessation, they can target nicotine receptors in the brain, easing withdrawal and blocking the effects of nicotine

These medications are used for heavily dependence on nicotine and are mostly offered as an option because it is safe to use. Bupropion Sr, an antidepressant, can also help the patient with smoking problem and is proven to be effective for withdrawal symptoms. (Edmunds, 2014) A nicotine receptor agonist called Varenicline or Chantix, one of the newest medications in tablet form, which is used in conjunction with other treatments. Asking the patient every visit and informing them about the risk of smoking is recommended which is said to be beneficial during the treatment process (Edmunds,

Researchers and doctors all over the world constantly discuss smoking problems. There is an incredible amount of information offered to people who fight the desire to light a cigarette, on a daily basis. But, as any drug, smoking is difficult to be forgotten, even with all the issues it brings.

Smoking is the single highest cause of preventable death in America and puts users at significantly greater risk for disease compared to the rest of the population. Tobacco use costs the U.S. more than 289 billion dollars annually in medical expenses and lost productivity (Surgeon General, 2014). The problems associated with smoking are due in part to its addictiveness. Nicotine is the addictive substance found in tobacco and its chemical dependence is as strong as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol (CDC, 2014). Getting all smokers to quit entirely is not realistic due to nicotine’s addictive characteristics.

Nicotine dependence remains a significant public health concern (Rep., 2011). Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for approximately 1 out of every 5 deaths. On average, smokers die 13 to 14 years earlier than nonsmokers. Additionally the estimates for average annual smoking-attributable productivity losses are $96.8 billion and the total economic burden of smoking is approximately $193 billion per year (USDoHaH, 2000). Despite the availability of therapeutic options for smoking cessation, relapse rates remain high (Piasecki, 2006; Pollak et al., 2007). Therefore, there is a need for new, effective, strategies to assist cigarette smokers achieve abstinence.

I understand the appeal of smoking as an easy, momentous fix to a person's mood because of the instant result to feel better. Stressed? Smoke a cigarette. Frustrated? Smoke a cigarette. Unhappy? Smoke a cigarette. Nicotine acts on nicotinic cholinergic receptors that triggers the release of neurotransmitters that produce rewarding psychoactive effects. Vani and Shyamaladevi explain, the functional antagonism presented in cigarette smoking is related to desensitization of nicotinic cholinergic receptors because nicotine in cigarette smoke upregulates the nicotinic cholinergic receptors to interact with the noradrenergic, cannabinoid, dopaminergic, cholinergic, and serotonergic systems and increases the levels of norepinephrine, dopamine,

State test scores and graduation rates are one of the most important items of discussion at Napavine Jr. Sr. High School. When the State changed the testing method from the HSPE to SBAC, Napavine’s scores dropped. At that time, the administration began providing professional development workshops on SBAC teaching strategies to align with Common Core standards. In addition, staff collaborated to develop a program we call Core/Flex. Students who are passing all of their classes with a C grade or higher are allowed 25 minutes of free time. Students who have a D or F grade are assigned Core with a teacher for tutoring purposes. The student stays in Core until his or her grade has improved. Due to staff input, staff engagement is supportive of

A randomized trial suggested that drug varenicline can reduce heavy drinking in men. The medication also helps maintain smoking abstinence in individuals. The trial was conducted by the researchers at the Yale School of Medicine, led by Dr. Stephanie S. O’Malley.

Nicotine is the chemical compound found in both traditional cigarettes and some electronic cigarettes. It tricks our body into releasing adrenaline and other chemicals, specifically dopamine, which is known a “pleasure-causing” chemical. It’s the reason for

Success largely depends on additional forms of treatment provided to the patient including group and individual therapies, but outcomes can be measured and early results are promising, especially with the young adult population.

Nicotine is a powerful substance in controlling brain function. It interacts with specific receptors in brain tissue, and initiates metabolic and electrical activity in the brain.