0
0
A new study has shed light on why young adults are more susceptible to the effects of nicotine compared to middle-aged individuals. Conducted by researchers from Pennsylvania State University in the US, the study indicates that younger bodies are more sensitive to the addictive chemical, which could explain why early exposure to nicotine often leads to long-term addiction.
The research, published in the journal Behavioral Pharmacology, was conducted on mice and examined how age influences the body’s reaction to nicotine. The findings highlight that nicotine lowers body temperature more rapidly and reduces movement more significantly in young adult mice (aged two months) compared to middle-aged mice (aged eight months).
According to the study, young adults exhibited a more acute response to the same nicotine dose relative to their body size than their older counterparts. The results suggest that as individuals age, their bodies respond differently to nicotine, which has significant implications for both prevention strategies and medical treatments.
“People continue to develop and change across their entire lifespan, and this affects how our bodies respond to medications and other chemicals, including nicotine. This research adds one piece to the puzzle of all the factors—age, biological sex, genetics, and many others—needed to create effective medical treatments and policies for all people,” said Thomas Gould, Professor of Biobehavioral Health and head of the Penn State Department of Biobehavioral Health.
The study also found that both young adult and middle-aged mice exhibited decreased movement after receiving nicotine, but the young adults showed a significantly greater reduction. This suggests that younger individuals experience the effects of nicotine more intensely, making them more prone to its addictive properties.
These findings emphasize the importance of targeted prevention efforts aimed at young people. Since increased susceptibility to nicotine may heighten the risk of developing an addiction, there is a critical need for policies that restrict early exposure and provide better support systems for young users who wish to quit.
Disclaimer: The findings of this study are based on animal research and may not fully translate to humans. Further studies are required to confirm these results in human subjects and to develop effective interventions for nicotine addiction in young adults.
