Nicotine

3-(1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)pyridine

Nicotine is an alkoloid (a substance with a basic charge) contained in the leaves of several species of plants. The primary commercial source of nicotine is by extraction from the dried leaves of tobacco plant (Nicotinia tabaum and N. rustica). The chemical formula for nicotine is C₁₀H₁₄N₂, with a molecular mass of 162.23. In proper nomenclature, nicotine is 3-(1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)pyridine. Nicotine’s structure was deduced by Pinner (Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft 29: 294)…

Today is my first day without putting on a new nicotine patch in the morning. So far, a strange day. One that is hard to pin down, like rubbing oil between your fingers.

Posts and news may be sparse for the next few days until I settle into the rhythms of this new version of life. I’ve been looking forward to this day for a while now, ready to be done with 3-(1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)pyridine and moving forward. I have 57 days of not smoking now — it will be officially two months this Sunday, on Mother’s Day. Sometimes I’m astounded I made it this far. Other times I scowl at the thought and think, “Get back to me when it’s been a year.” Whatever, it still means something.