TITLE:
Advances in the Study of Neural Mechanisms Associated with Exercise to Ameliorate Nicotine Addiction
AUTHORS:
Yihan Ni, Lin Li, Yaqian Qu, Siyu Chen, Hao Zhang, Haoyu Wang
KEYWORDS:
Nicotine Addiction, Reward Effect, Smoking Cessation, Acetylcholine, Midbrain Limbic Dopamine, Withdrawal Response, Exercise
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Physical Education,
Vol.12 No.2,
April
24,
2022
ABSTRACT: Objective: The objective is to elucidate the effectiveness of exercise as smoking cessation aid by
sorting out the neurotransmitter basis of nicotine addiction and combining it
with the neurotransmitter modulation effect of exercise, and finally to
organize and analyze the mechanisms related to exercise to ameliorate nicotine
addiction. Methods: We searched the Web of Science and PubMed databases for keywords, including “nicotine
addiction”, “exercise”, “sports”, “physical
activity”, “smoking cessation” and “tobacco withdrawal”, and compiled and analyzed the relevant literature to explain the neurobiological mechanisms
of nicotine addiction and the effects of exercise on ameliorating nicotine addiction and related
mechanisms. Results: 1) long-term nicotine intake, on the one hand, binds to acetylcholine receptors to produce
rewarding effects, and on the other
hand, causes rewarding effects by regulating the release
of various neurotransmitters
and signaling, making smokers feel pleasure and experiencing withdrawal symptoms after stopping smoking; 2)
exercise can effectively ameliorate nicotine addiction; 3) exercise reduces the desire
to smoke by activating the reward system to cause the body to release dopamine,
partially replacing the rewarding effects and reducing withdrawal
symptoms. Conclusion: Exercise is effective in ameliorating nicotine addiction through the modulation of neurotransmitters and improves the
health status of people who quit smoking. Therefore, physical activity and
physical exercise during smoking cessation are recommended to reduce
nicotine withdrawal symptoms and smoking cravings.