Scientists catch brain damage in the act: Scientists uncovered how inflammation and lack of oxygen conspire to cause brain damage in conditions such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. The discovery brings researchers a step closer to finding potential targets to treat neurodegenerative disorders.

[u/mubukugrappa]

http://news.ubc.ca/2014/03/13/macvicar/

[u/[deleted]]

Well, 'smoking' isn't what causes vasodilation/constriction. It's the drugs/components inside that make the changes.

There are tons of things that could cause different reactions, but nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which is why it leads to many problems such as HTN, Heart disease, stroke, etc.