NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse
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Question 1

Which of the following are ways that nicotine can enter the bloodstream?

Nope… Nicotine can enter the bloodstream by passing through the skin, but is only part of the correct answer.

Nicotine can get into the bloodstream by passing through the tongue and mucous membranes of the mouth. In fact, one drop of pure nicotine placed on the tongue can be lethal. Although this is correct, it is only part of the answer.

Almost! The major way that nicotine enters the bloodstream of smokers is through skin, lungs, and mucous membranes of the mouth and nose. This is correct, but is only part of the correct answer.

Correct, Nicotine can enter the bloodstream by passing through skin, lungs, and mucous membranes of the mouth and nose.

Question 2

Nicotine acts by attaching to which type of receptors?

Uh Uh! Remember marijuana attaches to the brain's anandamide receptors.

Correct! Because the nicotine molecule has a similar shape to that of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, it is able to attach to the same places in the brain where acetylcholine acts.

Nope! Television receptors have nothing to do with Nicotine, but you know that…

No. Remember myelin is the fatty covering for nerve fibers. It helps nerves to work right.

Question 3

True or False – One of the reasons that people like cigarettes and other tobacco products is because nicotine can cause an increase of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain areas that are involved in feelings of reward and pleasure.

Correct! Levels of dopamine, which is sometimes called the pleasure neurotransmitter, increase in the brain when a person uses tobacco or other drugs such as cocaine and marijuana.

Try Again! Remember, dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that is affected by all drugs of abuse.

Question 4

Long term smoking can lead to which of the following?

Nope! Smoking can actually turn teeth brown.

Try again! People who smoke for a long time often end up with skin that is more wrinkled than the skin of nonsmokers.

Correct! People who smoke are at greater risk for having a stroke that can either kill them or leave them paralyzed.

Nope! Chewing tobacco can cause loss of teeth as well as mouth cancer, but smoking usually does not cause loss of teeth.