Nicotine is addictive. Most people – whether they are smokers or not – will know and agree with that. Nicotine produces a ‘rush’ in the body that is very appealing. It’s incredibly easy – alarmingly easy, in fact – to get addicted. That’s why smokers find it so hard to stop. In fact it is thought that willpower alone isn’t usually enough to quit the habit, because the power of nicotine to keep you hooked is so strong.
The feeling nicotine gives you when you smoke is one of pleasure. It’s fast too – and it wears off just as quickly. That’s why it’s so easy to want to smoke more all the time.
So is there anything good to be said about nicotine?
Actually, there might be. Research has been conducted into the effects nicotine has on the body and on the brain, and some interesting results have come to light. For example, one study conducted way back in the Sixties threw up an interesting factor with regard to smokers. While they were more likely to suffer from lung cancer and emphysema when compared to those who didn’t smoke, they were less likely to get Parkinson’s disease. Three times as many non-smokers contracted Parkinson’s when compared to the smokers in the same study. It was subsequently confirmed with more research.
Since the Sixties, other studies have seemed to confirm the idea that nicotine can have a potentially-positive effect on the brain. Indeed, while we’ve already mentioned Parkinson’s, it seems that nicotine might have the potential to help treat the symptoms of that same disease. Nicotine triggers enhanced dopamine levels in the brain, and dopamine is known to reduce movement. Hence it can reduce the tremors that are associated with Parkinson’s disease.
Nicotine separated from tobacco
It is important to realise that nicotine is usually taken in by people when smoking. This means they’ll be smoking tobacco as well as inhaling the nicotine. That’s one of the reasons why there is plenty of room for further studies looking into nicotine on its own, instead of as part of a cigarette.
There has been some research into this area already. While limited, it could be that nicotine might have the potential to prevent dementia. The same applies with regard to cognitive decline. However this is by no means certain. It is definitely worthy of further research though, so we can see whether nicotine on its own could have a lot to recommend it with regard to isolated and controlled use.
Addiction
There are plenty of drugs that are highly addictive in themselves. Think of morphine for example – and yet it is used to relieve pain in patients after surgery and in other worthwhile situations. Could it be that if nicotine is isolated from the other ingredients in a cigarette and given in controlled doses, it too could have a positive effect on those with certain illnesses that affect the brain?
It is too early to say. Yet it is definitely worth looking into this area. Again, the limited amount of evidence and research available seems to suggest people who have a mild degree of cognitive impairment could be helped with nicotine. It is not an invitation to go out and start smoking, since this brings with it problems of its own. But if nicotine could be isolated and given as a drug under controlled conditions, perhaps it could be of significant use in the future.
It is too early to say for sure, of course. Yet there is certainly enough evidence here to support further study into the effects of nicotine on cognitive function in the future.
