Nicotine and Other Plant Alkaloids Explained

Alkaloids are nitrogen-containing organic compounds made by plants for defense.
Nicotine, found in tobacco, is a powerful stimulant that affects the nervous system.
Caffeine, another alkaloid, boosts alertness by blocking the brain’s tiredness signals.
Morphine, from the opium poppy, is a potent pain-relieving alkaloid.
Quinine, an alkaloid from cinchona bark, was once the main treatment for malaria.
Alkaloids often taste bitter, discouraging animals from eating the plants that make them.
Their complex structures let them interact strongly with human receptors and enzymes.
Many alkaloids—like codeine and atropine—are used as medicines.
Some alkaloids, such as cocaine, are addictive and can be harmful if misused.
From coffee and tea to medicines and poisons, plant alkaloids shape human history and culture.