How exactly is the nicotine from cigars absorbed?

[Lumberg]

Just wondering.

I know a lot if it is transdermally through the lips from direct contact with the wrapper.

Is some of it absorbed transdermally from holding the smoke in your mouth?

And finally if you are drinking or just swallowing your spit while you smoke do you ingest nicotine into your digestive tract and is it absorbed there? How about little bits of wrapper or filler that come off in your mouth and you swallow?

 

[psyktek]

There is very little absorbed thru the lips, skin makes a great barrier. If you're not inhaling, it's absorbed thru the mucus membranes lining your mouth and throat. Absorption and transmission to brain receptors takes place in 5-7 minutes.

If you're inhaling, it's absorbed thru the membranes in your lungs. Absorption takes place in seconds (5-7). Elimination occurs in about 90 seconds, which is why cigarette smokers puff as often as they (I) do. Gotta keep those hits coming, baby!

This is why, when someone says they get woozy/queasy when smoking a cigar, I know that they are smoking too fast. If you puff every 90-120 seconds, there's little chance of build-up of nicotine in your system. Lots of variables of course, mostly the nicotine content of the tobacco itself, but I'd bet that's pretty much constant.

Interestingly, noone's found the specific receptors in the brain for nicotine. Currently it's thought that it's mainly abosrbed in the same receptors as acetylcholine, which regulates respiration, blood pressure, heart rate, etc. It also affects dopamine receptors, which have effects on mood.

Probably more than you wanted to know, eh? Oh, transdermal (patches) nicotine is carried by a vehicle that allows skin penetration, and in gum, there are abrasive particles in the gum that scour the membranes and allow faster absorption.

A great text on drugs in general is Daniel Inaba, Ph. D's bood "Uppers, Downers, All Arounders".

We now return you to your regularly scheduled posting.

 

[thejollyco]

tell us about crack.

 

[psyktek]

Specifically..............what?

 

[Lumberg]

There is very little absorbed thru the lips, skin makes a great barrier. If you're not inhaling, it's absorbed thru the mucus membranes lining your mouth and throat. Absorption and transmission to brain receptors takes place in 5-7 minutes.

If you're inhaling, it's absorbed thru the membranes in your lungs. Absorption takes place in seconds (5-7). Elimination occurs in about 90 seconds, which is why cigarette smokers puff as often as they (I) do. Gotta keep those hits coming, baby!

This is why, when someone says they get woozy/queasy when smoking a cigar, I know that they are smoking too fast. If you puff every 90-120 seconds, there's little chance of build-up of nicotine in your system. Lots of variables of course, mostly the nicotine content of the tobacco itself, but I'd bet that's pretty much constant.

Interestingly, noone's found the specific receptors in the brain for nicotine. Currently it's thought that it's mainly abosrbed in the same receptors as acetylcholine, which regulates respiration, blood pressure, heart rate, etc. It also affects dopamine receptors, which have effects on mood.

Probably more than you wanted to know, eh? Oh, transdermal (patches) nicotine is carried by a vehicle that allows skin penetration, and in gum, there are abrasive particles in the gum that scour the membranes and allow faster absorption.

A great text on drugs in general is Daniel Inaba, Ph. D's bood "Uppers, Downers, All Arounders".

We now return you to your regularly scheduled posting.

Nope, never too much information. I knew about the acetylcholine and dopamine though.

Also a lot of cigars go out if you puff them as infrequently as every 1 1/2 -2 minutes!

 

[Lumberg]

I almost forgot to ask, what about the stuff that you swallow? Does stomach acid destroy nicotine or something?

 

[psyktek]

That, I don't know. My guess is that it would get digested like any substance and the components absorbed in the gut, like everything else. Absorption would be really slow. Also, since many of the components of smoke are produced by, guess what, BURNING, they would be very different compounds.

Tell ya what, eat a cigar and let us know what happens. All in the name of science, of course. :sign: :sign: :sign:

 

[Lumberg]

Don't some tough guys eat their cigars? I remember seeing a guy just chewing up a cigar. My dad told me really tough guys eat their cigars when they are done with them.

Not for me though.

 

[Mickey]

Don't some tough guys eat their cigars? I remember seeing a guy just chewing up a cigar. My dad told me really tough guys eat their cigars when they are done with them.

Not for me though.

Only with dipping sauce.

Maduro & honey mustard or ranch... Mmmmm


<j/k>

Mickey

 

[Phil]

Nice avatar there mickey!

BTW, I think eating a cigar would make you throw up!!


phil

 

[thejollyco]

but i'd be yummy

 

[thejollyco]

er, it.