Why Do Women Quit Smoking More Difficult Than Men?

As it is known, nicotine is an addictive chemical substance found in cigarettes and other tobacco products. Research has shown that receptors (protein that transmits signals between cells) in the human brain are of cigarette He says it causes him to be perceived differently.

Thus, when men and women want to quit smoking, they do not have the same experiences. However, a study has shown that it is more difficult for women to quit smoking than men. estrogen explains it by the effect it has on the level. So what exactly is this effect?

In fact, when you consume nicotine, your body begins to release dopamine, a feel-good chemical, and addiction develops.

So it’s not cigarettes that are addictive, it’s nicotine. Studies show that men are less addicted to nicotine. Actually, interestingly, men’s brain chemicals have more nicotine receptors than women. Therefore, in men desire to smoke more. When you look at it, you may say “how do they become less addicted then” and perceive it as a bad thing, but this also makes it easier for men to quit smoking.

How Does? Because men’s brain chemicals are more eager for nicotine, they are able to quit smoking with nicotine gum or other distracting methods. In other words, men only have a desire for this chemical substance, they do not attribute a different meaning to it. Thus too to replace nicotine When they find something, it’s easy for them.

Come on women, chemical like nicotine to triggers Even though they are less sensitive/affected than men, studies show that they attribute meaning to cigarettes.

Studies have shown that women generally try to suppress stress or not gaining weight He states that they smoke for different reasons, such as In many studies, it is seen that the tendency to smoke due to stress is more in women.

This makes it harder for them to quit smoking. Because they do not see cigarettes as a chemical substance, they are generally associated with external factors. coping using it as a method. Thus, it is understood that most of the women, when they want to quit smoking, and when they crave nicotine again, find it difficult to substitute something (nicotine gum, etc.) to suppress this desire.

But there is something more interesting: A study conducted in Sweden found that nicotine reduces the production of the hormone estrogen in women.

Now, to explain the research a little bit; The participant group of the research is a group of 10 women living in Sweden. Women are injected with a small dose of nicotine through their noses. It also plays an important role in estrogen production. enzyme A radioactive tracer is placed in a molecule bound to the aromatase enzyme.

This allows researchers to detect both the amount of aromatase and the effects on the brain. Then they see that the single dose of nicotine they give is aromatase moderately reduces the amount.

(Note: In order not to confuse you, let me explain: Although estrogen is produced wherever there is aromatase, the main place that is effective in estrogen production is the adrenal glands. In other words, the researchers involved in this study, the effect of smoking. brain chemicals As you can see, it is trying to understand it through the hormone, not directly examining the estrogen hormone. Aromatase is an enzyme that can be found in many parts of the body such as fatty tissues, brain, skin, bone, liver. Since experts examine the issue from the brain, they make the inference that nicotine suppresses estrogen due to the decrease in aromatase in the brain.)

Then the experts continue the research by trying different methods to understand the differences in the behavior of women and men to quit smoking. The effect they detected (the aforementioned finding that nicotine reduces estrogen) is a part of the brain’s limbic system (the system that regulates emotional and behavioral response). thalamus they are sending.

On top of that, women seem to be quite resistant to ingesting nicotine without smoking. As we mentioned before, most of the women, like the men, their smoking cravings, tobacco gum, etc. things, that is, the cigarette itself drink wants.

As you can see, research reveals that a dose of nicotine from just a single cigarette causes behavioral changes in women by blocking estrogen production. In fact, the academician at the beginning of the research, Dr. Erika Comasco, even a single cigarette in their hormonal structure He says this effect is surprising.

Because this situation in the female brain It also shows that its effects are very strong. In fact, we can say that these are the findings that strengthen the acceptance that the meaning that women attribute to cigarettes and smoking depends on external conditions, as we mentioned above.

The researchers say that the group of participants they conducted the study was a small group, and they say that more research needs to be done to confirm the findings. In other studies, when women who want to quit smoking start such an attempt 15 days before or after their menstrual period, they are successful is expressed.

Or joining smoking cessation groups can also be beneficial for them. In addition, it is stated in studies that those who do not quit smoking just to gain weight can overcome this issue with psychological support. So, you to quit smoking Are you surprised that it gives different results by gender? You can share your thoughts with us in the comments.

Editor Note: In this article, it is aimed to present a general point of view over the researches. As stated in the text, nicotine reduces estrogen levels The study was conducted with a small-scale participant group. Further studies are needed for more precise and general conclusions. Also, smoking is harmful to health.