Addiction Info | Shisha Tobacco

Anyone who smokes a hookah with commercially available tobacco also consumes the substance nicotine, which is also contained in cigarette smoke. Nicotine is a highly addictive neurotoxin - it attaches to selected nerve receptors and activates them permanently.

Nicotine Facts

The neurotoxin nicotine occurs naturally in the tobacco plant and other nightshade plants.
The substance nicotine activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are located, for example, in the autonomic nervous system.
Nicotine releases different neurotransmitters, making it stimulating even in small doses.
Nicotine releases the substance dopamine in the reward system and is thus highly addictive. Among the substances widely used by society, the addictive effect of nicotine is surpassed only by cocaine or heroin.
Nicotine also affects the sugar and fat metabolism of the organism. In particular, the effect on the solid metabolism can promote vascular diseases and heart attacks.

The effect of nicotine

Nicotine has a stimulating effect and releases noradrenaline, adrenaline and vasopressin. As a result, the heartbeat increases, blood pressure rises and the vessels constrict. This can increase performance in the short term. The increase in blood glucose levels can dampen the feeling of hunger for a short time. A high nicotine dose, on the other hand, can have a fatiguing and sometimes even paralyzing effect. When nicotine is consumed, the neurotransmitter dopamine is released in the brain, which stimulates the reward system. Nicotine use leads to addiction with psychological and physical dependence in a short period of time. Studies by researchers have shown that the addictive effects of nicotine are surpassed only by heroin and cocaine. Those who are addicted and stop using nicotine must expect physical withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, sleep disturbances and headaches. The physical withdrawal symptoms often ease after 2 weeks. The psychological dependence, however, usually remains for a very long time.

The best protection against a nicotine addiction: Never start

The best way to protect yourself from nicotine addiction is to never start smoking shisha, cigarettes or other nicotine-containing products. We support the "Children without Tobacco" initiative, which aims to extend a ban on advertising tobacco products to other media channels consumed by young people.

Good to know: No one has ever regretted not having started smoking. But very many people wish they had never started using. Therefore, the best protection against nicotine addiction is and remains to stay away from nicotine-containing products from the very beginning.

Stop smoking shisha

If you are concerned about your health, then you should stop smoking hookah tobacco. You can find tips on how to manage your everyday life without nicotine on the following websites:

https://www.smokefree.ch/de/wie-aufhoeren/selber-aufhoeren/

https://www.lungenliga.ch/de/die-lungen-schuetzen/tabak-und-nikotin/rauchstopp.html

Nicotine free tobacco substitutes

nicotine free tobacco substitute products shisha

Those who want to do without nicotine, but not shisha smoking, can use nicotine-free tobacco substitutes. The pastes, creams or even steam stones contain glycerine and flavorings, which offer a similar smoking experience as conventional hookah tobacco. However, they do not contain the highly addictive nicotine. Whether smoking tobacco substitutes is healthier than conventional tobacco is debatable. However, the fact that the absence of nicotine also eliminates the most addictive substance is considered certain.

Good to know: Many who want to kick the habit of hookah smoking with nicotine-free alternatives fail, because the act of hookah smoking is further cultivated and you can therefore quickly end up back in the old nicotine addiction with conventional hookah tobacco. The surest way to kick the habit is to consistently quit smoking of any kind.