Nicotine Benefits

While scientists know many of the harmful addictive properties of nicotine, such as how it alters brain function, they are still experimenting with the chemical to find possible nicotine benefits. Here are some possible areas of research of the benefits of nicotine.

Reduced Dependence on Tobacco

The first benefit of nicotine is the ability for tobacco addicts to reduce their dependency. Nicotine replacement Treatments (NRT), such as the patch, gum and lozenge, have the ability to decrease the need for smoking, but their success rate has been less than 10 percent. Plus many people experience side effects that are undesirable, including heart palpitations, hair loss and upset stomach and others.

Weight Loss

Nicotine is a natural appetite suppressant. Many smokers actually fear gaining weight and avoid quitting because they don’t want to add extra pounds. There may be a chance for future research for nicotine in helping reduce weight.

Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

In 2000, researchers started experimenting with nicotine’s effects on Alzheimer’s Disease. Smokers tend to have a lower risk of the disease, so researchers began looking for why. They found that nicotine makes the neurons in the brain fire more rapidly; the compound called acetylcholine may be responsible.

Improved Symptoms for Those with Schizophrenia

Nearly 75 percent of schizophrenic patients smoke and science is making a connection between mild users and improved symptoms. Experiments with nicotine replacement products and those that suffer with this disease are ongoing.

ADHD and OCD

Researchers are looking at the possible benefits of using nicotine’s stimulant properties to help those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Risk of Ulcerative Colitis is Reduced

Smokers have historically shown a decrease in this disease, researchers are now trying to find out why, possibly leading to a treatment.

Breast Cancer Connection

For those with the breast cancer gene, BRCA, nicotine has been shown to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in these women.
Although nicotine’s benefits are currently being sorted out by science, one thing is clear. Smoking is not healthy. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor and develop a plan to become a non-smoker.

References:
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/drugs-alcohol/nicotine-health-b...
http://www.forces.org/evidence/hamilton/other/nicotine.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Leaf_40#Therapeutic_uses