Glossary

Nicotine

Nicotine is the primary component in tobacco that is responsible for the plant’s physiological effects of humans. When consumed, it releases dopamine which causes mild euphoria for a short period of time. Nicotine can be consumed in a variety of ways, such as cigarettes, cigars, vapes, and chewing tobacco, but all methods share the same risk of addiction. The brevity of the pleasure given by nicotine can cause people to go back for more repeatedly, which often descends quickly into full-on dependency.

Nicotine dependence is prevalent, dangerous, and difficult to escape from. Tobacco, the most common vessel for nicotine, is full of harmful chemicals that can lead to health complications like lung disease, diabetes, or cancer. What’s more, the legality and availability of tobacco in the U.S. makes it very accessible for anyone to start smoking and form a dependence. Attempting to cut off nicotine is difficult because it directly affects the reward centers of the brain to induce cravings for more of itself. Going cold turkey could even bring on symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, which include anxiety and insomnia. Products like nicotine gum are available to help kick the habit of smoking, but can often be less convenient to obtain than the tobacco itself.

Nonbinary

Nonbinary is an umbrella term used to describe gender identities outside of the gender binary of male and female. It is often used synonymously with genderqueer. The identity is generally considered to be under the transgender umbrella, but not all nonbinary people self-identify as transgender. People who identify as nonbinary may also feel that their gender is both male and female or no gender at all. These identities are known as bigender and agender respectively. 

Being nonbinary is not a modern concept. Nonbinary people have existed for centuries, with even some religious figures in different cultures being described as neither male nor female. Similarly to other sects of the queer population, the concept of nonbinary gender expression has not recently appeared; instead it has lost the intense stigma associated with it that would prevent nonbinary people from coming out as such.

NSSI

Non-suicidal self injury (NSSI), also known as self-harm, is the intentional damaging of one’s own body with a lack of suicidal intent. Self-harm behavior includes the cutting, burning, or hitting of skin and tissue, and tends to affect the arms, wrists, thighs, and abdomen. NSSI is most often first exhibited between the ages of 12 and 14 and is much more common in sexual minorities.

The reasons behind NSSI vary from person to person. The most common include getting relief from negative thoughts and feelings, finding within themselves some evidence of living through pain, or punishing themselves for their perceived wrongdoings. NSSI is disproportionately associated with mental disorders like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa.

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by anxiety-inducing thoughts called obsessions and the repetitive actions (compulsions) that arise in response to them. It is normally a chronic disorder, but some may feel that their symptoms ebb and flow over time. Experiencing obsessions and compulsions occasionally does not necessarily denote the presence of OCD; the disorder’s defining trait is the constant presence of obsessions and compulsions which serve as a consistent source of anxiety.

There are two main aspects of OCD: Obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are anxiety-inducing intrusive thoughts that are unwanted and uncontrollable. People with OCD know these thoughts aren’t what they are really thinking but will try to mitigate them regardless to reduce their anxiety. The methods they use to relieve these obsessions are called compulsions, or repetitive actions that people with OCD feel as though they need to perform to make their obsessions go away. Compulsions can include washing hands over and over, doing tasks a specific amount of times, or repeatedly seeking reassurance. The relief brought by compulsions is temporary, which necessitates the constant reapplications of these techniques to keep the obsessions at bay.