I was looking for some information for Ann about the connection between quitting smoking and blood sugar and I found this. [i]Nicotine is highly addictive. Nicotine provides an almost immediate "kick" because it causes a discharge of epinephrine from the adrenal cortex. This stimulates the central nervous system, and other endocrine glands, which causes a sudden release of glucose. Stimulation is then followed by depression and fatigue, leading the smoker to seek more nicotine. Nicotine affects brain chemistry: Nicotine and Adrenaline: When a person inhales cigarette smoke, the nicotine in the smoke is rapidly absorbed into the blood and starts affecting the brain within 7 seconds. The result is the release of the hormone adrenaline, the "fight or flight" hormone. Physically, adrenaline will increase a person's heart rate, blood pressure and restrict flow to the heart muscle. The smoker will experience rapid, shallow breathing. Adrenaline also instructs the body to dump any excess glucose into the bloodstream. Nicotine and Insulin It is thought that nicotine inhibits the release of the hormone insulin, which is responsible for removing excess sugar from a person's blood. The result can be that the smoker is slightly hyperglycemic, meaning they have more sugar in their blood than usual. High blood sugar acts as an appetite suppressant, which may be why smokers think their cigarettes reduce hunger. In the long run though, nicotine in the bloodstream increases the "bad" LDL cholesterol, which is thought to clog and harden arteries. That in turn will step up the risk of heart attack and stroke. Nicotine and Dopamine Nicotine activates the same reward system as do other drugs of abuse such as cocaine or amphetamine, although to a lesser degree. Research has shown that nicotine increases the level of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is a chemical in the brain responsible for feelings of pleasure and well-being. The acute effects of nicotine wear off within minutes, so people continue dosing themselves frequently throughout the day to maintain the pleasurable effects of nicotine and to prevent withdrawal symptoms.. Nicotine and Acetylcholine The nicotine molecule is very similar in shape to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which affects m