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Nicotine Facts
3)CAS It stands for ‘Chemical Abstract Service’ and is a unique number designated for a chemical substance whose chemical structure or composition is confirmed.
Definition of Nicotine
1) ‘Alkaloid’ At an early stage, ‘alkaloid’ meant ‘a kind of plant-derived chemical substance containing some nitrogen’, but now it means the whole substance including nitrogen while existing in nature. Since most of it has alkalinity, it is easy to be extracted from a plant. “Alkaloid” has various bio-activities by depressing the growths of a cancer or pathogenic bacteria or by acting against the nervous system of a mammal.
As an agonist of ‘Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor (nAChRs), which affects the central and peripheral nervous system, muscle and more, nicotine has evolved to protect itself as it acts as a neurotoxin against insects or small animals that may prey on plants.
Nicotine is generally extracted from tobacco plants or manufactured by chemically synthesizing carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. Synthetic nicotine is devoid of tobacco-specific alkalines yet has the same chemical structure as organic nicotine and its isomers.
Nicotine Isomers
Also known as “Chiral Molecules” or “Enantiomers,” nicotine (R)- & (S)-isomers appear as a single substance structurally as being “mirror images”; however, they have different properties. For instance, as (R)-isomer generates within the plant’s roots, it’s believed to have evolved by transforming into the more toxic (S)-isomer once nicotine reaches into the leaves to serve as a defense mechanism against potential prey. ECD Spectra of the two are equal in magnitude and shown to be both pharmacologically active. They share many of the same physicochemical properties, such as the benefits of nicotine. However, the (S)-isomer nicotine is more toxic, as it contains more robust carcinogenic hazards and higher addictive properties.
Tobacco leaf-derived nicotine is dominantly (S)-nicotine of ~99%. Nicotine made synthetically has custom ratios of both (R)- & (S)-nicotine. Our Tobacco-Free Nicotine (TFN®) is made with equal proportions to give it a distinguishable and simple 0* optical rotation, whereas Tobacco-derived nicotine has an optical rotation of ~165*. Since TFN® is not tobacco-derived, our synthetic nicotine is not contaminated with many of the tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs).
History of Nicotine
Although archeologists discovered nicotine consumption nearly 3,000 years ago, the word 'nicotine' was coined after Jean Nicot de Villemain (“Nicot”), a French ambassador in Portugal. Nicot sent tobacco and seeds to the French King in 1560, with the advisement of using them for medical purposes, notably in treating the black plague's symptoms and in general a panacea to the extent of once being referred to as the “Holy Herb” or “God’s Remedy.
Tobacco, before the modern world removed it from pharmacopeias from medical practice, was used by many communities as a: disinfectant, fight fatigue, teeth whitening, treating ulcerated abscesses, fistulas, sores, inveterate polyps, lesions, headaches, wounds, burns, yaws, constipation, strangulated hernia, tetanus, hydrophobia, worms, poisonous bites of reptiles and insects, fever, cholera and more.
Within the next century, nicotine usage profusely expanded into pesticides, as it is an anti-herbivory chemical lethal to insects who prey on tobacco plants. However, natural nicotine is costly; thus, 20th-century scientists endeavored to develop synthetic analogs of nicotine’s anti-herbivory chemical. Once invented, it has been widely used as a more efficient and cost-effective measure against insects that prey on field crops.
In 1828, Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Posselt and Chemist Karl Ludwig Reinmann, from Germany, first isolated nicotine from the tobacco plant.
In 1843, Physicist and Chemist Louis Melsens studied the empirical chemical formula.
In 1893, Chemists Adolf Pinner and Richard Wolffenstein discovered its chemical structure.
In 1904, Scientists Ame Pictet and A. Rotschy first synthesized nicotine.
Within the 20th century, the medical research community has been advancing the exploration of nicotine to treat, delay or prevent Parkinson’s, Schizophrenia, obesity, Pain, depression, smoking, ADHD, Alzheimer's and more. However, research & development on these advances have been limited in the market thus far due to nicotine's reputation through tobacco smoke. As a result, researchers have strongly avoided the association with the stigma.
Effects of Nicotine on Human Bodies
Consumption of nicotine has many known physiological and psychological effects and is still extensively researched today. Nicotine is known to increase one's alertness, brain function and provides a sense of relaxation and calm. For instance, if you feel agitated, it will bring a sense of calm, and if you feel relaxed, it will induce a sense of alertness.
Nicotine activates the neurotransmitter dopamine, which triggers the brain’s reward system, bringing a pleasure sensation.
Tumor and cancer patients should avoid nicotine at all costs. Nicotine stimulates angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), which conflicts with treatments that aim to stop the spread of new blood vessels formed by those contaminated with the tumor or cancer cells.
Nicotine is not carcinogenic to humans; however, it does have undesirable side effects. As it affects the nervous system, it causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure while causing coronary vasoconstriction leading to less oxygen and nutrients in the blood.
Nicotine is an agonist of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (nAChRs). Among the nAChRs, nicotine has the highest binding affinity to the α4β2 receptor- which mediates nicotine’s addictive properties. For decades, commercial tobacco companies have modified their plants to yield more (S)-nicotine and reduce (R)-nicotine in their smoking products. Interestingly, FDA-approved smoking-cessation transdermal nicotine patches have significantly more (R)-nicotine than combustible cigarettes. In a laboratory study, (R)-nicotine was substantially less active to the α4β2 receptor compared to its counterpart (S)-nicotine; thus, (R)-nicotine is believed to be a less addictive form of nicotine while still providing a satisfying experience.
Nicotine is an agonist of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (nAChRs). Among the nAChRs, nicotine has the highest binding affinity to the α4β2 receptor- which mediates nicotine’s addictive properties. For decades, commercial tobacco companies have modified their plants to yield more (S)-nicotine and reduce (R)-nicotine in their smoking products. Interestingly, FDA-approved smoking-cessation transdermal nicotine patches have significantly more (R)-nicotine than combustible cigarettes. In a laboratory study, (R)-nicotine was substantially less active to the α4β2 receptor compared to its counterpart (S)-nicotine; thus, (R)-nicotine is believed to be a less addictive form of nicotine while still providing a satisfying experience.
Truth and Misunderstanding about Nicotine
Based on a [year] survey by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), the annual number of smoking-related deaths remains at over [number] (20% of total).
In general, people understand the risks and the harmful carcinogens of a tobacco-derived combustible cigarette. Unfortunately, many believe the nicotine ingredient is the hazard of combustible cigarettes. While nicotine an addictive substance, it is not what makes tobacco consumption so deadly. Processed Tobacco plants and tobacco smoke contain thousands of chemicals. This mix of chemicals, not nicotine, is what causes severe disease and death in tobacco users.
As an anecdotal reference, ‘caffeine’ is the most widely consumed drug through coffee, and like nicotine, it affects the central nervous system. Caffeine, like nicotine, was once believed to be a carcinogen that causes cancer. Modern technology and scientists have since debunked this theory. Nicotine, as well, holds a promising future for medicinal uses against diseases, disorders and performance enhancement drugs as once believed before.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death worldwide (>8MM per year).
Although nicotine is the face child of tobacco, it is the carcinogens (>70) and chemicals (>7,000) in tobacco smoke responsible for tobacco-related harm.
The most notable Group-1 Carcinogens in smoking are tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), Formaldehyde, Benzene, Arsenic, Cadmium, Nickel and more. Not to forget, smoking cigarettes also involves consuming tar and exposure to carbon monoxide.
Exposure to carcinogens is a significant health hazard as they lead to cancer in humans.