– Nicotine is a tropane alkaloid, it has the ability to release dopamine in the reward pathways of the brain, why does it not produce consistent euphoria like cocaine; alkaloid or speed: amphetamine?

Question

EDIT – Something I forgot to mention which may add context is that after a period of abstinence I feel a sharp euphoric wave of dopamine which goes away within less than a few minutes and results in dysphoria, even with redosing.

Unlike cocaine, which I’m comparing since both are alkaloids, it seems to build a very unusually fast tolerance and any positive effects dissipate, unlike the latter.

In: 3379

Answer 1

Just to add to what has been said: Alkaloids are a huge, heterogeneous group of plant-made molecules. Comparing different effects of different alkaloids is similar to comparing different effects of different proteins or steroids. Yes, they are the same chemical class. No, their method of acting of the body is very different. Even though steroidal alkaloids are a more specific subgroup, the same is generally true.