What is nicotine?

Nicotine is a substance found naturally in the tobacco plant and one of the most well-known components of tobacco. But what exactly is nicotine, and how does it work? In this article we look at where nicotine comes from, how it is produced and what effects it can have.

Where does nicotine come from?

Nicotine is found in the tobacco plant, which is grown in several parts of the world, including North and South America, Asia and Africa. Tobacco naturally contains nicotine as a form of protection against insects and pests. Although nicotine is best known for its presence in tobacco, it is actually present in small amounts in other plants, such as potatoes, tomatoes and aubergines - but at such low levels that it has no noticeable effect.

Interestingly, climate and local growing conditions affect the nicotine content of the tobacco plant. Warmer climates and specific soils can result in higher levels, while crops in cooler climates tend to produce tobacco with lower nicotine levels.

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Try IQOS ILUMA for 60 days

Discover a better alternative by heating tobacco instead of burning it.

No smell of smoke

Heats tobacco & nicotine without burning it

No second-hand smoke and no ash

With IQOS there is no fire and therefore no smoke or ash follows - and no cleaning required, ever, with our latest ILUMA series!

Try IQOS ILUMA

How is nicotine produced?

When tobacco is harvested and dried, the nicotine is preserved in the leaves. It can then be extracted through a process where the nicotine is separated from the plant and purified. It can then be used in various forms and products.

In addition to being extracted directly from tobacco leaves, nicotine can also be produced synthetically in a laboratory. Synthetic nicotine is chemically identical to natural nicotine but is produced without using tobacco. This makes it possible to use nicotine in products that contain no tobacco residues at all.

Does nicotine make you feel good?

Nicotine affects the body in several ways, and a common experience is to feel more alert and focused after using it. This is because nicotine affects neurotransmitters in the brain that are linked to alertness and attention.

However, the strength of the effect varies from person to person and depends on several factors, such as how often you use nicotine and in what quantity. The body's tolerance can also change over time, meaning that some people may feel a more pronounced effect than others. Nicotine is also absorbed differently depending on the form it comes in - for example, nicotine in smoke is absorbed more quickly than nicotine in chewing gum or patches.