Verified Document

Smoking In The Context Of The Autonomic Nervous System Essay

Related Topics:

Smoking and the Autonomic Nervous

There is much controversy with regard to smoking in the contemporary society, as the practice is widely promoted and accepted in spite of the fact that the masses are well acquainted with the negative effects it can have on the body. In individuals who smoke on a regular basis, the activity lowers baseline stages of nerve activities in the vagal-cardiac areas and has a restructuring effect on arterial baroreceptor-cardiac reflex reactions. The fact that smoking is responsible for a series of autonomic changes is very probable to have a strong effect on how smokers experience acute arterial pressure.

The nervous system functions abnormally as a consequence of people smoking and putting an end to this habit is likely to have a positive effect on it. Actions such as pupil dilatation and heart contraction can be negatively affected as a consequence of a person smoking. The autonomic nervous system is divided in two categories: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The former is responsible for having organs functions effectively while the latter is in charge of body functions.

Nicotine can both be a stimulant and a depressant at the same time. It can stimulate the organism by increasing the heart rate and blood pressure, these being owed to the fact that the individual is likely to increase his breathing as he or she smokes. Similarly, it can act as a depressant as a consequence of the brain being provided with less dopamine when it is not provided with smoke. Smokers also has a paralyzing effect on taste buds, making it more likely for smokers to have a decreased appetite and to lose weight as a result of smoking for prolonged periods of time. In order to avoid having their organs function abnormally, smokers need to end their habit.

Works cited:

Niedermeier, O.N. "Influence of Cigarette Smoking on Human Autonomic Function." Retrieved December 15, 2014, from http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/88/2/562.full.pdf

Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Effect of Forgiveness on Health
Words: 28998 Length: 105 Document Type: Thesis

Forgiveness on human health. In its simplest form, the purpose of the study is to evaluate human psychological stress that might constitute a risk factor for heart disease. Further, the study will also evaluate the impact of forgiveness on heart disease. However, such a simple dissertation clearly demands further definition. What, exactly, do we signify when we speak of heart disease? What is properly considered as forgiveness? What impact does

Clinical Psychology
Words: 60005 Length: 200 Document Type: Dissertation

Clinical Psychology Dissertation - Dream Content as a Therapeutic Approach: Ego Gratification vs. Repressed Feelings An Abstract of a Dissertation Dream Content as a Therapeutic Approach: Ego Gratification vs. Repressed Feelings This study sets out to determine how dreams can be used in a therapeutic environment to discuss feelings from a dream, and how the therapist should engage the patient to discuss them to reveal the relevance of those feelings, in their present,

Combating Workplace Stress Using Cognitive Behavioral Therpay
Words: 20851 Length: 44 Document Type: Essay

…Occupational Stress and Scientific MonitoringLiterature Review2.1 IntroductionThe definition of the term �occupational stress� is derived from the definition of its two constituent words. In this context, occupational refers to anything that is related to the workplace while stress is defined as a natural body reaction from physical, mental or emotional strain in an individual. Thus, occupational stress can be defined as any mechanism by which the body attempts to adapt

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now