Final answer:
Nicotine affects brain cells by stimulating and/or mimicking neurotransmitters, leading to increased release of dopamine, which is pleasurable and addictive. Nicotine's interaction with the brain's reward system is crucial in its addictive potential, making cessation challenging.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Lewis smokes, the nicotine from the cigarettes will affect his brain cells by stimulating and/or mimicking neurotransmitters. Nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and acts as a stimulant, which leads to an increase in the number of action potentials in neurons. This, in turn, causes an increase in dopamine release. Unlike cocaine, which prevents the uptake of dopamine by the nerve cells, nicotine enhances dopamine action through a different mechanism. Specifically, it mimics the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and increases the quantity of dopamine released in response to neural activity. This enhancement in dopamine levels is responsible for the rewarding sensations experienced when smoking.
Moreover, nicotine is highly addictive due to its stimulating effects on the brain's reward system and its ability to increase dopamine. This increase in dopamine can lead to a dependency on nicotine to maintain pleasurable sensations, thus contributing to the addictive properties of tobacco products. Therefore, nicotine's interaction with neurotransmitters plays a crucial role in its addictive potential and the challenges faced in smoking cessation efforts.