Nicotine Improves Health?

It's been in the news, but the average person probably doesn't know or want to know that nicotine has certain health benefits. Most of society (at least non-smoking or chewing society) is under the assumption that smoking is a horrible vice that must be done away with. While there are definitely well known and documented adverse effects to the heart, lungs, arteries, and gums of smokers and tobacco chewers, there are certain health benefits, particularly to the brain. This article will examine these salutary findings and look at possible alternatives to smoking or chewing.

As compared by Professor Levin in the Mike Kremer article I have listed at the bottom of this review, nicotine is much like morphine, or any drug for that matter - it has its beneficial effects and it has its side-effects. Recent research has shown that nicotine can actually enhance the performance of the brain. Specifically in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease patients, nicotine seems to be an effective treatment and preventative measure. Smokers have significantly less occurrences of both diseases.

According to many, the chemical action of nicotine's medical applications seems to lie in its ability to mimic the neuropeptide acetylcholine. In fact, acetylcholine binds to receptors in the brain and body known as nicotinic receptors. This receptor is usually mediated by the vitamin B-3, also known as nicotinamide or nicotinic acid. This vitamin is found in many starch-containing foods and gives a sense of fullness, hence the curtailed appetite of a smoker.

However, also in the Mike Kremer article, a researcher at the University of Manitoba is cited as finding that the actual mechanisms of nicotine's ability to aid in treating these diseases may be two or three other actions. In fact, nicotine prevents the activation of phospholipases, which inhibits amyloid plaque growth (a problem found in Alzheimer's disease patients).

The articles I have listed at the bottom go on to say that it is difficult to market nicotine itself as a drug for these diseases, as it cannot be patented, and is frowned upon by society (though I'm sure the Alzheimer's patients wouldn't have a problem with it!). Therefore, other compounds similar in composition to nicotine are in the process of development. Furthermore, these compounds could be made to work towards specific ends and thus do away with some of nicotine's less-desired effects. Nicotine patches and gum have shown usefulness, however, even for Tourette's patients, and of course there are less side-effects with the use of these than smoking, etc.

Though the most advantageous research of nicotine is for the medical treatment of disease, nicotine has also been found to improve the overall ability of non-smokers to concentrate and perform in mentally taxing tasks.

It is clear that nicotine is a mental stimulant. It has been shown to have neuroprotective properties (see "Nicotine neuroprotection" link). That means that nicotine actually prevents cell death and hence leads to sharper memory and thinking processes (which the Alzheimer's sufferer lacks).

Not only is it a stimulant, in the realm of pharmaceuticals, it is classified as an anti-psychotic and hypnotic/sedative as well. It is supposed that the large majority of schizophrenics smoke in order to self-medicate their disease. Nicotine's anti-psychotic properties are probably also the explanation for the use of tobacco with other recreational drugs. Of course, this is not something done intentionally by the drug-user, but perhaps it is the body asking for neuroprotection.

Which brings me to another point, the fact that nicotine is an anathema because of its addictive nature. I believe that all drugs are used by drug-users in order to self-medicate, and to that end there is a benefit to the user - if not the euphoria brought about by the drugs, most recreational drugs seem to bring about a cathartic release at times. Perhaps there is some emotionally therapeutic benefit to drinking, and smoking, etc. Of course, there are obvious problems when the use of these substances is taken to an extreme...and there are probably healthier ways to bring about this release.

A side note, I find it interesting that most 12 step programs, rehabilitation centers, and detox centers have no problem with their members/patients smoking cigarettes or using chewing tobacco, though these are indeed drugs. It is clear that nicotine use is not correlated with delinquent or unmanageable behavior.

However, I DO BELIEVE THERE IS ANOTHER WAY TO IMPROVE MENTAL PERFORMANCE AND PREVENT/TREAT MENTALLY DEGENERATIVE DISEASES - EXERCISE! I have included an article on this topic, which directly correlates the benefits of moderate exercise in helping those suffering from Alzheimer's (see "Exercise and Alzheimer's" link). I have only included one, because that seems like common sense to me. Everybody knows that exercise aids in strengthening a whole host of bodily processes, not the least of which is mental functioning. Of course, there will be some people with mental afflictions who cannot physically or willfully do exercise, they would benefit from a nicotine-like drug, I believe.

Which brings me to the final thing I'd like to touch on, and that is my own personal experience with nicotine (of course, only a smoker trying to justify his actions would write this article!). I am seriously trying to quit (again), and have been using a patch and gum for about the past week now. It has helped me to cut down, but I do still smoke a half a pack, more or less, per day. This time around I haven't been smoking for too long either! I was actually dipping tobacco up until about a week and a half ago! I felt I needed cigarettes, and then I felt I needed to quit! I have been dipping and smoking on and off for about 3 years now, and quit once with the patch and gum for about a few months (with no patch or gum for a month).

I recall the first time that I ever smoked tobacco, it was a black and mild one night while I was with a friend who is a smoker. He said he was able to quit in one week with Wellbutrin not too long ago, I have yet to try it. Anyway, the first time I smoked, I experienced a mental clarity I had never felt before. In fact, I would consider myself a neurotic person in those days, and I believe that nicotine was the answer to my neurosis. It put me into a whole different frame of mind, but it was still another year before I used it habitually.

But again, I believe that exercise and the patch/gum (for now) are healthy alternatives. I have read somewhere that exercise PREVENTS Alzheimer's, but I do not know where and anybody reading this can no doubt find an article about this on the internet. I don't need any research, it's common sense. My own personal experiment, you could say, was at my last job, where I worked on an airport ramp loading and unloading baggage to and from commercial aircrafts. I could go the whole work day without a cigarette or dip. I believe that the intermittent physical demands of this job kept my brain going at full speed. I also noticed that the (complete) non-tobacco users at this job seemed to be able to keep their heads well.

In conclusion, nicotine, like any other drug substance, has its uses. You cannot toss it under the bed because of media hype. However, in addition to ameliorating the health of the body in every way, moderate and regular physical exercise may provide the very same benefits that nicotine researchers are now discovering.

Nicotine Benefits Links:

- Nicotine Benefits: http://www.forces.org/evidence/hamilton/other/nicotine.htm

- Does Nicotine help Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Patients - News: http://media.www.vermontcynic.com/media/storage/paper308/news/2005/11/01/News/Does-Nicotine.Help.Alzheimers.And.Parkinsons.Patients-1040930.shtml

- Mike Kremer - Nicotine Studies suggest it helps Parkinson's, Schizophrenia and Alzheimers: http://www.scienceagogo.com/message_board5/messages/813.shtml

- Nicotine neuroprotection: http://www.biopsychiatry.com/nicotine/neuroprotective.html

Video Link:

- Nicotine For Alzheimer's: http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/video-30628-49.html

Exercise and Alzheimer's Disease Link:

- Exercise and Alzheimer's Boosts physical and emotional health - MayoClinic.com: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers/HQ00637