Answer: It acts as both a stimulant and a sedative.
Explanation:
Nicotine is an alkaloid which is obtain from tobacco plant Nicotiana tabacum. It works as both stimulant as well as sedative. Nicotine functions as a stimulant as it stimulate the adrenal glands. This stimulation releases the adrenaline hormone which further stimulate the release of glucose. The release of glucose is responsible for increase in blood sugar levels. This process gives instant energy.
Nicotine also acts as a sedative. Once the nicotine reaches the brain this results in release of hormones and neurotransmitters. One of the neurotransmitter is beta-endorphin. The beta-endorphin reduce the sense of anxiety and it numb pain receptors. Thus the nicotine acts as a natural pain killer.
