A stimulant is a substance that temporarily increases alertness and energy by activating the central nervous system (CNS) and the body’s peripheral systems. Cigars contain nicotine, which is a central nervous system stimulant. Nicotine acts directly on the brain and body to produce effects like heightened attention and increased physiological activity. The way a cigar delivers nicotine, however, adds complexity to the overall experience.
Nicotine: The Primary Stimulant Agent
Nicotine acts as a stimulant by mimicking the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It binds to protein channels in the brain and nervous system known as nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). When nicotine activates these receptors, it causes the neuron to depolarize, or fire, leading to chemical releases.
This activation triggers the release of neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine itself. The surge of dopamine in the brain’s reward pathways is responsible for feelings of pleasure and euphoria associated with tobacco use. Norepinephrine and acetylcholine contribute directly to the stimulant effects.
These chemical changes translate into physical stimulation. Nicotine prompts the adrenal glands to release adrenaline (epinephrine) into the bloodstream. Adrenaline causes an immediate increase in heart rate, elevates blood pressure, and boosts the body’s metabolic rate, producing the heightened state of alertness and energy associated with the stimulant classification.
Understanding Nicotine’s Biphasic Nature
The effects of nicotine are not purely stimulating. Nicotine exhibits a biphasic nature, meaning it can produce both stimulating and calming effects depending on the dose and the user’s history with the substance. At low to moderate doses, the stimulating action on the central nervous system is dominant.
At higher doses, or with continuous exposure, the nAChRs can become temporarily desensitized or blocked. This desensitization leads to a temporary reduction in neural activity, which can result in a perceived sedative or tranquilizing effect. This shift from stimulation to sedation is known as the biphasic phenomenon.
For regular tobacco users, perceived relaxation is often a misinterpretation of a different biological process. The calming sensation frequently results from the alleviation of withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and anxiety, which appear shortly after the previous nicotine dose. This relief from negative feelings can feel like relaxation, masking the underlying stimulant action of the drug.
How Cigar Usage Affects Nicotine Absorption
The way a cigar delivers nicotine to the body affects the stimulant experience. Most premium cigars are made with air-cured tobacco that produces smoke with an alkaline pH. This alkaline environment keeps the nicotine in its uncharged, or “freebase,” form.
Freebase nicotine is lipid-soluble, allowing it to pass through the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose. Unlike the acidic smoke of most cigarettes, which requires deep inhalation into the lungs for effective absorption, cigar smoke allows nicotine to be absorbed through the buccal mucosa. Because cigar users typically do not inhale the smoke, the nicotine is absorbed more slowly.
This slower absorption rate results in a less intense, but more sustained, stimulant effect. The total amount of nicotine delivered can also be much higher in a cigar, as a single cigar can contain the nicotine equivalent of a pack or more of cigarettes. The combination of high nicotine content and alkaline smoke leads to a prolonged exposure to the stimulant.