Why do nicotine and opiates synergize so well?

[soupynoodle]

I know synergize isn't a word, but seriously. I can barely be buzzing on Vicodin and after I smoke a cigarette, it goes through the roof. Every time. It doesn't feel like a nicotine buzz; it just feels like the opiate just got 3 times stronger. It's really awesome. And I'll get nauseous if I smoke too much.

Does the nicotine help metabolize the opiate?

 

[pasha]

opioids release dopamine.

tobacco releases dopamine plus stops the brain from recycling dopamine.

that causes potentiation of opioid effects plus possible synergy.

 

[wezface]

synergize is totally a word.

 

[soupynoodle]

Thanks for the replies. My browser underlined synergize like it was wrong. It definitely should be a word of it isn't lol.

 

[wezface]

Synergy is one of the most fun root words ever. So many possibilities! Synergize, synergistic, synergistically, synergic. /random

 

[pasha]

it most certainly is a word but one which is difficult to objectify when discussing the combination of different psychoactive substances.

 

[Effect]

This 'synergy' brought me to the point of being a non smoker to someone who really doesn't feel complete on a full agonist without one.

When not using the desire to smoke just isn't there or is very minimal and I'll go through the day without thinking about cigs.