There was a head rush that felt kinda neat at first. Guessing because nicotine binds to the ACE2 receptors, which play a role in ATP reuse (iirc), ATP being the big energy molecule that powers the current multicellular life, so it’s similar to a bit of oxygen deprivation in that available ATP is reduced.
But then the body just expresses more ACE2 receptors to compensate, so you stop getting the head rushes. This happens fairly quickly, too, like you might get them for like half of your first pack of smokes before the “feels better after a smoke” is more about getting rid of nicotine withdrawal than any positive feelings (if you enjoy the altered feeling of a head rush).
There was a head rush that felt kinda neat at first. Guessing because nicotine binds to the ACE2 receptors, which play a role in ATP reuse (iirc), ATP being the big energy molecule that powers the current multicellular life, so it’s similar to a bit of oxygen deprivation in that available ATP is reduced.
But then the body just expresses more ACE2 receptors to compensate, so you stop getting the head rushes. This happens fairly quickly, too, like you might get them for like half of your first pack of smokes before the “feels better after a smoke” is more about getting rid of nicotine withdrawal than any positive feelings (if you enjoy the altered feeling of a head rush).