Taking in the Nicotine
Nicotine is a drug found in tobacco that acts as a stimulant in the body. There are a number of ways in which nicotine can be absorbed into the body. These include smoking cigarettes and chewing or even sniffing tobacco. The most common and efficient way to get nicotine into the body is through inhalation. Once a person begins smoking, the nicotine will readily diffuse through the skin, the lungs and the mucous membranes.
Absorption through the Alveoli
Nicotine will move into the blood vessels of the skin, lungs and mucous membranes where it will travel to the brain. But most commonly, it is the blood vessels in the lungs which will take in the most nicotine. Our lungs are lined with millions of air sacs. These air sacs, or alveoli, are where the gas exchange in the lungs takes place. The alveoli cover a massive surface area which will provide ample access for the nicotine to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
