When one smokes a cigarette, chemicals stampede through the brain: dopamine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, vasopressin, arginine, beta-endorphin. Some, like dopamine, stimulate the pleasure centers of the brain. Others, like acetylcholine and norepinephrine, enhance alertness. Pain and anxiety are reduced by beta-endorphin. Nicotine also cause the brain to release glutamate, a chemical tied to memory. This potent chemical cocktail alleviates the side effects of Alzheimer's and Tourette's. On top of all this, a group of chemical compounds found in tobacco smoke act as MAO Inhibitors. That's right; tobacco smoke is an anti-depressant. Of course, we're all familiar with the negative side effects of smoking. Emphysema, cancer, blah blah. But recently, a friend of mine in his early 20s had his annual check-up with his doctor. After confirming that, yes, he was still smoking, my friend resigned himself to the requisite doctor lecture. Surprisingly, the doctor replied, "Don't bother quitting; by the time you get cancer, they'll have a cure for it."
Sure, it's silly of me to place faith in that, but I'm feeling pretty optimistic right now - I just had a cigarette.
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