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Is nicotine really so addictive?

I think the an important aspect in nicotine addiction is that one cigarette is basically nothing. When you're using opioids or stimulants, the effects of one 'dose' are much more pronounced/intense than a cigarette. Your brain tells you that cigarettes can be more easily be smoked occasionaly while those more intense (more euphoric) substances are more of an 'all or nothing' deal
 
The consequences of nicotine addiction are extremely low compared to the consequences of abuse of harder drugs, i highly doubt many would stay addicted if it ended into something simular as cocaine abuse.
 
If nicotine use cost as much as cocaine does, then nicotine abuse would be much closer to cocaine abuse with respect to quality of life impairment for all but the very rich.
 
Seeing as it's one of the only reinforcing drugs that doesn't cause any euphoria its incredibly addictive.
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BARBARELLA has a point. At least cocaine/(meth)amphetamine/opiates cause euphoria.

I've used tons and tons of drugs in my life, I've smoked two cigarettes and I only caught a very mild buzz off one (it was a hand-rolled one, the other one was a Camel Menthol and didn't do anything but give me a sore throat).

On the other hand, I felt really fucking cool with that cigarette in my hand.
 
I've always thought of nicotine as being more habit forming than truly addicting.

Obviously nACh receptors are deeply involved with learning, and as a result, I have a feeling that this enhanced learning activity causes it to enhance habit formation, making it so hard to quit.
I only smoke cigars, and not very often, but I find myself really wanting one- not just any, but the very best (and most expensive) I've smoked, and I haven't had more than ten of them in my life, never is close proximity to each other.
 
Hammilton said:
I've always thought of nicotine as being more habit forming than truly addicting.

Obviously nACh receptors are deeply involved with learning, and as a result, I have a feeling that this enhanced learning activity causes it to enhance habit formation, making it so hard to quit.
I only smoke cigars, and not very often, but I find myself really wanting one- not just any, but the very best (and most expensive) I've smoked, and I haven't had more than ten of them in my life, never is close proximity to each other.
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Finally, yes this is spot on. The enhanced learning it causes is mediated through VTA glutamate receptor and thats exactly what enhances habit formation.
 
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