Shocking Facts About Cigarette Chemicals!

Shocking Facts About Cigarette Chemicals!

Shocking Facts About Cigarette Chemicals!

Cigarettes are more than just dried tobacco—they’re chemical weapons in disguise. In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Addiction,

Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dives deep into the real science behind cigarette smoke and its devastating impact on the human body.

With over 7,000 chemicals per puff—and 69 known carcinogens—smoking unleashes a toxic storm on your cells, your DNA, and every organ system.

Forget nicotine being the main villain; it’s the harmful byproducts of combustion—like benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, and heavy metals—that cause the real destruction.

This episode breaks down the concept of bioavailability, showing how smoke chemicals rapidly enter the bloodstream and brain, triggering inflammation, cellular damage, and cancer risk.

The discussion also explores cutting-edge biomarkers like cotinine and NNAL that reveal hidden exposure—even in non-smokers affected by second-hand and third-hand smoke.Is there such a thing as a “safer” cigarette? Spoiler: No.

The chemical complexity of smoke means that changing one toxin can amplify another. From oxidative stress to DNA adducts, the biological havoc is unstoppable.If you’re a healthcare professional, smoker, or just health-curious, this is a must-watch. Empower your knowledge with hard-hitting science and understand why smoking cessation is not just an option—it’s urgent.

Chapters

00:00 – The Chemical Truth About Cigarette Smoke

00:16 – What’s Inside a Cigarette and Its Smoke

01:00 – Toxic Substances and Their Effects on the Body

01:45 – Nicotine’s Role in Addiction vs. Disease

02:00 – How Chemicals Enter and Damage the Body

02:30 – Understanding Biomarkers of Exposure (Cotinine, NNAL)

03:10 – Biomarkers of Effect: DNA Damage and Inflammation

03:45 – Why Biomarkers Matter in Healthcare

04:20 – The Danger of Passive and Third-Hand Smoke

04:55 – Chemical Interactions and Smoking Addiction

05:30 – Clinical Relevance and Smoking Cessation Advocacy

06:00 – Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode

Episoder(218)

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines

In episode 58 of Cracking Addiction we discuss the pharmacology of benzodiazepines and their interaction with the GABA-A receptor, the different types of benzodiazepines and their different half lives and effects, discuss how to calculator benzodiazepine dose equivalence, the increased risks of benzodiazepine overdose when compared with other medications especially with opioid medications and the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of benzodiazepines.Discussions and comments in our videos are for informational purposes only and should not replace the advice of your medical professional. Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medical treatment or lifestyle.Latest Blogshttps://www.meducate.com.au/blogAbout Meducate ®Meducate provides online education for doctors, clinicians, health professionals and the public.See the website to browse the many different talks and courses available https://www.meducate.com.au

21 Sep 202221min

Lifestyle Medicine in Addiction

Lifestyle Medicine in Addiction

In today's episode of Cracking Addiction we are joined by Dr Sam Manger the President of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine and host of the GP Show podcast who discusses lifestyle interventions in substance use disorders. Lifestyle interventions can be safe and efficacious interventions and there is a growing evidence base for certain lifestyle interventions in some substance use disorders. For further information on lifestyle interventions in substance use disorders please read our journal article on this topic at: https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2022/august/lifestyle-interventions-for-substance-use-disorderThe GP Show podcast and other lifestyle medicine resources: https://thegpshow.comDiscussions and comments in our videos are for informational purposes only and should not replace the advice of your medical professional. Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medical treatment or lifestyle.Latest Blogshttps://www.meducate.com.au/blogAbout Meducate ®Meducate provides online education for doctors, clinicians, health professionals and the public.See the website to browse the many different talks and courses available https://www.meducate.com.au

14 Sep 202228min

Methamphetamine relapse prevention

Methamphetamine relapse prevention

In this episode of Cracking Addiction we discuss relapse prevention strategies with regards to methamphetamine use and discuss harm reduction strategies, how to avoid a lapse becoming a relapse, the Matrix Model, motivational intervention and contingency management. We also discuss the importance of peer support programs in aiding people on their path to recovery from substance use disorder and discuss the evidence surrounding pharmacotherapy interventions for methamphetamine use disorder.Discussions and comments in our videos are for informational purposes only and should not replace the advice of your medical professional. Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medical treatment or lifestyle.Latest Blogshttps://www.meducate.com.au/blogAbout Meducate ®Meducate provides online education for doctors, clinicians, health professionals and the public.See the website to browse the many different talks and courses available https://www.meducate.com.au

7 Sep 202217min

Methamphetamine withdrawal

Methamphetamine withdrawal

In this Episode of Cracking Addiction we discuss the three phases of methamphetamine withdrawal, strategies to manage the methamphetamine withdrawal including possible medication options and the ongoing psychosocial support required to support patients during methamphetamine withdrawal. Discussions and comments in our videos are for informational purposes only and should not replace the advice of your medical professional. Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medical treatment or lifestyle. Latest Blogs https://www.meducate.com.au/blogs About Meducate ® Meducate provides online education for doctors, clinicians, health professionals and the public. See the website to browse the many different talks and courses available https://www.meducate.com.au

31 Aug 202217min

Methamphetamine and amphetamines

Methamphetamine and amphetamines

In this episode of Cracking Addiction we mainly speak about methamphetamines but also amphetamines and discuss the amphetamine class of drugs and their physiological effects, the different types of methamphetamines, symptoms of intoxication with amphetamines, side effects of methamphetamine and amphetamines including the various organ systems they impact and in particular the potential psychological and psychiatric harms and focus on drug induced psychosis. Discussions and comments in our videos are for informational purposes only and should not replace the advice of your medical professional. Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medical treatment or lifestyle.Latest Blogshttps://www.meducate.com.au/blogAbout Meducate ®Meducate provides online education for doctors, clinicians, health professionals and the public.See the website to browse the many different talks and courses available https://www.meducate.com.au

24 Aug 202223min

Living with Addiction

Living with Addiction

In this episode of Cracking Addiction we are privileged to have Steven McDonald who discusses his lived experience with addiction and his path towards recovery. Steven speaks openly and honestly about his past history and his experiences. Steven has written a book 'Thanks for Letting Me Share' which is a book of 368 quotes that have helped him along his journey. The book is available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BCG67JK/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Thanks-for-Letting-Me-Share-book-102078078856382Discussions and comments in our videos are for informational purposes only and should not replace the advice of your medical professional. Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medical treatment or lifestyle.Latest Blogshttps://www.meducate.com.au/blogAbout Meducate ®Meducate provides online education for doctors, clinicians, health professionals and the public.See the website to browse the many different talks and courses available https://www.meducate.com.au

16 Aug 202236min

Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome

Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome

In this episode of Cracking Addiction we discuss cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, the various theories surrounding the pathophysiology of cannabis hyperemesis, treatment of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, diagnostic criteria for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome and discuss the other potential differential diagnoses of cyclic vomiting symptoms and how cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is often a diagnosis of exclusion.Discussions and comments in our videos are for informational purposes only and should not replace the advice of your medical professional. Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medical treatment or lifestyle.Latest Blogshttps://www.meducate.com.au/blogAbout Meducate ®Meducate provides online education for doctors, clinicians, health professionals and the public.See the website to browse the many different talks and courses available https://www.meducate.com.au

10 Aug 202216min

Synthetic cannabis

Synthetic cannabis

In this episode of Cracking Addiction we discuss the variety within the class of synthetic cannabinoids, symptoms of synthetic cannabis intoxications, side effects and complication of synthetic cannabis usage and specific considerations in withdrawal management.Discussions and comments in our videos are for informational purposes only and should not replace the advice of your medical professional. Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medical treatment or lifestyle.Latest Blogshttps://www.meducate.com.au/blogAbout Meducate ®Meducate provides online education for doctors, clinicians, health professionals and the public.See the website to browse the many different talks and courses available https://www.meducate.com.au

3 Aug 202214min

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