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Nicotine, the active and addictive ingredient found in cigarettes and most tobacco products, is a potent parasympathomimetic alkaloid that is considered to be among the nightshade family of plants.
It is also a stimulant drug with nootropic mechanisms of action. In fact, certain receptors in the brain for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine are named nicotinic receptors because they are also stimulated by interaction with nicotine.
The substance itself is made from the roots and accumulates in the leaves of the plants. In tobacco, it constitutes between .6 and 3.0% of the dry weight, and is also present in a variety of other edible plants. Interestingly enough, Nicotine also is considered to be an anti-herbivore chemical, which is why it has also been used as an insecticide in the past.
We are all aware that Nicotine is the primary reason for addiction to cigarette smoking. This substance also has the ability to inhibit certain enzymes (chromatin-modifying) that actually increases the ability of cocaine to cause an addiction.
In recent years medical science is becoming more and more aware of some potential benefits of Nicotine. There is ongoing research being conducted into the ability of Nicotine to help people prevent Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and a number of additional related conditions and symptoms.
However, the cost of a nicotine addiction on your health is high and using this compound as a nootropic can lead to tolerance and withdrawal problems.
There are better acetylcholine agonists out there such as the Racetams (Piracetam, Pramiracetam, Oxiracetam and Aniracetam) that can give you a better boost to your brainpower without the negative side effects of Nicotine.
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Mental Function
Brain Health- Promotes brain health & communication
- Supports memory, reasoning & cognition
- oosts focus, mental clarity & attention
Nicotine Effects:
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As Nicotine enters the body (normally through inhalation, but there are also other delivery methods), it is absorbed into the bloodstream and then crosses the blood-brain barrier.
It is thought to reach the brain and enter into the central nervous system within about 15 seconds after being smoked. The elimination half-life (the time it takes the body to eliminate approximately half of the substance) is approximately 2 hours.
The amount of Nicotine which is actually absorbed by the body into the bloodstream really is dependent upon a number of factors. For example, the type of tobacco used, whether a filer was used, and even if it was inhaled or consumed in another form.
It is also interesting to note that tobacco products such as chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, and snuff (these are all held in the mouth between the cheek and gum, or taken directly through the nose) result in a much greater amount of Nicotine being released into the body.
Nicotine is metabolized in the liver and its oxidative metabolism tends to become inhibited by menthol, an ingredient included in a number of cigarettes, increasing the half-life.
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Nicotine Benefits:
Nicotine has been quietly accumulating a lot of evidence showing that it may be helpful in terms of protecting us against diseases like Alzheimer’s.
The action behind this effect is that Nicotine works to increase the number of nicotinic receptors in the brain. This also then influences the production and release of Acetylcholine, an important and powerful brain chemical known as a neurotransmitter.
This in and of itself may be enough to help protect against the risk for Alzheimer’s, since those with the disease are noted for having a marked loss of those nicotinic receptors and reduced levels of Acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is responsible for memory and other cognitive functions.
Nicotine, especially in the form of tobacco smoke, has also been shown to help with Parkinson’s disease. Research indicates that Nicotine may play a role in inhibiting the activity of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). Other studies have also shown that without the gene for MAO-B, laboratory mice were resistant to the neuro-degenerative effects of toxins that closely resembled Parkinson’s disease.
Although more research is clearly needed, this does indicate that Nicotine may have a protective effect on brain aging. Other interesting benefits of Nicotine include protection against ulcerative colitis, Tourette’s Syndrome, and potentially also rheumatoid arthritis and colorectal cancer.
A 2000 study has also shown that Nicotine may have benefits for blood vessels. Contrary to popular opinion, Nicotine actually boosts the growth of new blood vessels. This could potentially lead to new treatments for diabetes, which often leads to circulation problems. There have also been studies (using a Nicotine patch) that show people with depression report a decrease in these feelings.
Nicotine Dosage:
The problem with dosing Nicotine is simply the fact that it still has addictive properties.
It would be medically irresponsible for anyone to suggest that either cigarette smoking or use of a Nicotine patch be taken up as a hobby, or that Nicotine addiction might be a good trade-off for some of the above listed benefits.
The fatal dose for humans can be within the range of 30 to 60 mg. This is a rather high toxicity, even in comparison with hard drugs like cocaine. This should alert anyone who uses patches and or gum to be careful, since it is definitely possible to take too much and suffer the consequences.
Nicotine Side Effects:
One of the most dangerous side effects of Nicotine is the possibility of addiction. But there are other side effects associated with this substance as well. These include rapid heart beat, extreme weakness or dizziness, tightness in the chest, cough, hoarse voice, sneezing, runny nose, pain in the jaw or neck, upset stomach, constipation, headache, changes in your sense of taste and smell. Of course, this is not a complete list.
Nicotine Review:
The past decade or so has seen some incredible advances into researching the potential benefits of Nicotine as a nootropic or smart drug. While some of this research is quite promising, there is not yet any kind of acceptable Nicotine supplement that can emphasize the positive benefits while avoiding the probable side effects.
As such, this is not something that can be recommended in a healthy cognitive enhancement routine. However, there are safe nootropics that also act on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and provide many of the same benefits.
A good example is the Racetam class of nootropics derived from Piracetam which increase acetylcholine activity. This can lead to improved memory formation, learning, reasoning, and comprehension and these compounds are non-addictive and non-toxic unlike Nicotine.
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Article last updated on: March 4th, 2018 by Nootriment
4 Comments
Hi, very compelling article. I think the preventive effect of nicotine in Parkinson’s disease is very interesting. I have been meaning to try sublingual nicotine and found this product on Amazon: amazon.com/gp/product/B00WRIQUL6 but I’m afraid to actually use it because I don’t know what will happen if I drop concentrated nicotine on my tongue. Do you have any opinions about routes of administration and nicotine, i.e., transdermal vs. gum vs. vaporizer vs. sublingual?
I was a heavy smoker and switched to vaping before I discovered nootropics proper. I will attest to the boost that nic gives you mentally. Just about every smoker/vaper can tell you that they instinctively smoke/vape more when studying or are deep in thought.
With that said, I highly recommend staying away from it due to its addiction potential. It simply isn’t a matter of willpower. Your body will produce new nicotinic receptors to accept the chemical and your phisiology will adjust and adapt to the presence of nicotine, resulting in withdraw when nicotine usage ceases.
It releases fat stores into blood sugar so effectively that drops in blood-sugar levels are measurable in persons ceasing nicotine. You body literally weakens in its ability to release its own sugar stores because nicotine is so good at doing the job for you. Yes, normal body functions recover as withdraw subsides, but it can be an irritiating process.
With that said, I am an advocate of vaping. You can start with a very small dosage/nicotine level in your juice. As low as 6mg/ml. Mixing your own, you can get a lot lower, but this comes with its own dangers. Currently, I am vaping 3mg/ml, dropping from 6mg/ml just a week ago. I am seeking to get off of the nicotine completely.
Even with vaping, which is not in and of itself a nicotine cessasion device, weaning off of nicotine takes time and patience and has definately interfered with my life.
I recommend staying the hell away from nicotine. Seriously. Especially with all of the other options we have regarding nootropics available now.
10 years ago, in Europe, I was the sound man in the plenary hall of the EFNS congress (European federation of neurological societies) and during the opening remarks by the chairman, after he said that they actually hardly know anything bout the brain, he said they discovered accidentally that smoking helps prevent Alzheimer’s.
I was blown away but it also somehow made sense.
None of my family or friends believed me later, when I quoted him.
Maybe now they will.
Es gibt keine Nikotinsucht – nur eine Tabaksucht.
Nikotin macht nicht süchtig!!!
Es sind die Stoffe welche in der Kombination mit Tabak entstehen.