Don't expect a valid or reasonable answer.. they'll say anything to justify their habbit, to themselves atleast.
Its a horrible habbit with NO positive results. Stress releif IS NOT a valid claim.
You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Nicotine DOES have effects, including reducing stress. Why is it that you think the native indians used it for thousands of years to treat everything from headaches to hunger? It was first brought to Europe by Jacque Cartier in 1550, and by the late 1500s, smoking had become widespread in Europe. Within one generation, which is 30 years, it became common all over the world. 30 years may seem like a long time these days, but back then, it was at an unprecedented rate (no other idea, belief, technology, or behavior have ever migrated so fast). It was even consider a panacea by the medical community.
So there are obviously benefits to it if it became so popular so fast. There has been experimental research on its stress reduction effects, as well as alerting the mind and actually increasing cognitive ability (by stimulating glutamate release), including the ability to concentrate and memory retention. It causes a rapid release of adrenaline (epinephrin), and blocks insulin, increases metabolic rate, and activates the dopamine pathways (pleasure center of the brain).
So it's extremely ignorant to say there are no positive effects... it's just the negative effects should outweight the positives.
What is the appeal of those damn cancer sticks?? Is it the smell?? Is it the yellow teeth?? How about the $$$ a week spent on the habit?? Maybe the funky breath?? Maybe the joy of pissing someone off with the second hand smoke??
No, it's all the positive effects i mentioned up top. When you're tire, you light a smoke and you get a burst of adrenaline. If you have a hard time concentrating, light up a smoke and it becomes easier. If you're stressed out, such as in a social situation, light one up and your stress gets reduced. And if you're bored, light one up and you'll feel good (because of the activation of the dopamine pathways).
But the effects are so much worst. Cancer, emphysema, waking up and coughing out a lung, bad breath, yellow teeth, feeling of tar all over your face and finger, cardiac diseases, shortness of breath, ect.
There is no real appeal besides this imagery of potential coolness smoking it.
Utter crap. Coolness and image is the thing that gets you started, but it's the positive and addictive nature of smoking that gets you going. The first time you smoke, it's utter crap... you get a headache, possibly room spinning, and actually feeling physically ill. But once you overcome that, which happens after a few smokes, you begin to really feel the positive effects of it. The tobacco company knows this, and they try damn hard to make the image of teen smoking as cool.
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