Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical compound present in tobacco plants. It is a stimulant drug that speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and body. Nicotine has various uses, including:

• Recreational: Nicotine is widely used recreationally as a stimulant and anxiolytic. It can produce feelings of pleasure, relaxation, and alertness.

• Treatment for tobacco addiction: Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) are FDA-approved treatments that deliver controlled levels of nicotine to patients through gums, dermal patches, lozenges, inhalers, or nasal sprays to help them quit smoking.

• Pesticide: Nicotine is used as a pesticide to control pests in agriculture.

Nicotine is usually consumed by smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, or by using smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco or snuff. Electronic cigarettes (also known as vapes) do not contain dried tobacco leaves, but they may still contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive, and its use can lead to nicotine addiction, which can cause cravings for more of it.