Why Am I Not Addicted to Cigarettes? Exploring the Science Behind Addiction

For some, the idea of being addicted to cigarettes might seem like a foreign concept. After all, why would you smoke something that is as detrimental to your health as cigarettes are? However, the reason why you might not feel addicted to cigarettes could be much simpler than you think. Maybe you haven't truly attempted cessation (abstaining) from smoking yet.

Are You Addicted?

Let's start with a classic money question: Who says you're not addicted? Consider this: a person who doesn't have potato chips in the house won't shed a tear if they can't have some. They can go days without worrying about it. But for someone who is a junk food junkie, going without chips even for a short period can be a struggle. So, can you go eight hours without a cigarette and not freak? If you haven't even attempted this, then the fact that you're worrying about it is a good sign that you're already not addicted.

Nicotine, the primary psychoactive compound in cigarettes, is considered one of the most addictive substances known to humans. When you smoke, you’re more than likely addicted. The only exception could be if you are genetically protected and have no addictive pathway, but even then, it’s highly unlikely. So, it's time to look at your own habits and health. If you smoke or dip, it's high time you take the step to stop and see what happens.

Personal Experiences

Here is a personal account: a year ago, I smoked a pack of cigarettes with my friends, and it hasn't crossed my mind to buy another pack or grab a cigarette from a friend. Yes, it is the opposite for my friends; they often can't stop smoking and cough a lot even during the first smoke. For me, it never has. I haven't had any cough or other side effects. Am I just lucky or do I have better lungs than others? Perhaps, since science tells us that genes play a significant role in addiction.

Some studies suggest that certain genes on chromosome 15 can prevent nicotine addiction. I personally have experienced this: I've tried cigarettes before for their warmth, smell, and taste but the pack usually sits for a couple of weeks before I finish it. On average, I smoke a pack a year, the same frequency as I buy a bottle of wine. I've also talked to a coworker who became addicted to cigarettes after her first one; it took her a long time to get used to them. Her experience aligns with the idea that it has a lot to do with genes. I barely feel the effects of smoking one, but on the other hand, I am highly addicted to sugar. I used to drink seven cans of Monster energy drinks daily, but I became obese and had to cut them out. Now, I drink a two-liter of diet coke daily. Many people can enjoy sugar without constantly craving it and drinking it, but not me. This resembled my addiction to nicotine.

So, do we all have different susceptibility to different drugs based on our genes? To me, this gene theory seems highly plausible.

Conclusion

In a sense, sugar is a drug, and my addiction to it is similar to that of a smoker. I don't even get a buzz from alcohol, so I don't drink beer, but I get excited every time I enter a grocery store because I know I am going to buy a fruit punch Rockstar C4 or Red Bull. It's all part of our genetic makeup. The key takeaway: if you smoke and try to quit, you might notice a significant change in your health and your finances. So, why not take the step towards a healthier, happier life, and stop smoking?