Explanations for Nicotine Addiction: The Biological Model and Brain Neurochemistry

Brain Neurochemistry

There are two key explanation The Desensitisation Hypothesis (acetylcholine; dopamine) and the Nicotine Regulation Model

The Desensitisation Hypothesis - 1. Acetylcholine:

1. ACh molecules bind with the receptors creating an action potential (electrical impulse)

2. Subtype nAChR (nicotinic receptor) binds with both ACh and nicotine

3. Neuron becomes stimulated

4. Immediately after, nicotine receptors shut down and don`t respond to neurotransmitters (down regulation and desensitisation of the neuron)

The Desensitisation Hypothesis -…