Nicotine

Patch 5: From the heart to the brain

From the aorta, the oxygen-rich blood containing some nicotine molecules flows to the brain. They exert some effects there, but these effects are not comparable to the effects of smoking a cigarette.

When you smoke a cigarette, the nicotine concentrations in the bloodstream are much higher, but they persist for a shorter time because a cigarette only lasts a few minutes. Smoking thus causes peak nicotine concentrations in the blood.

A nicotine patch supplies a constant, but lower blood concentration. You do not experience the same relaxed feeling as you get from smoking, but the patch does ease your craving for a cigarette.

Follow the route after chewing gum

Follow the route after smoking

Continue the route