This substance with chemical formula C1O H14 N2, is considered a poisonous alkaloid, and is used as an insecticide. Millions of humans worldwide consume it daily, voluntarily. What is it called?

The substance described is nicotine, a potent alkaloid found naturally in the nightshade family of plants, most famously in tobacco. It perfectly matches the chemical formula C10H14N2 and the description as a poison. In high concentrations, nicotine is a powerful neurotoxin that can be lethal to many organisms. This very property is why it has been a key ingredient in various insecticides for decades, effectively paralyzing and killing agricultural pests.

The great (Review) paradox is that this same neurotoxin is one of the most widely consumed psychoactive drugs in the world. When humans consume nicotine in small, controlled doses, such as through smoking, chewing, or vaping, it acts as a stimulant on the central nervous system. It binds to specific receptors in the brain, triggering the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine. This creates temporary feelings of pleasure and alertness, which is the primary driver behind its highly addictive nature and the reason millions of people voluntarily consume this natural poison every single day.