Warning: nicotine seriously improves health

[indigobusiness]

Robin McKie, science editor
Sunday July 18, 2004
The Observer

Nicotine could soon be rehabilitated as a treatment for schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as hyperactivity disorders.
Research shows that the chemical that has addicted millions to smoking has a powerful impact on brain activity in patients who suffer from psychiatric and degenerative disorders.

Some experiments have shown that nicotine can slow down the onset of Parkinson's symptoms; others have had revealed its power in curtailing the hallucinations of schizophrenics.

'A whole range of psychiatric conditions seem to be helped by nicotine,' said Dr Dan McGehee, a neurobiologist at the University of Chicago. 'However, such benefits do not justify smoking. The lethal effects of cigarettes far outweigh any help they provide. On the other hand, our research does suggest that derivatives of nicotine, administered medically, could help to alleviate a range of psychiatric problems.'



http://www.guardian.co.uk/smoking/Story/0%2C2763%2C1263918%2C00.html

[mike_c]

1. let's be objective here....

Nicotine is a powerful drug with multiple physiologic effects. That some of those, or even many, might be beneficial is not too surprising in itself. But that is by no means a suggestion that tabacco smoking is a beneficent means for administering nicotine. And of course nicotine is EXTREMELY addictive-- maybe not necessarily a big problem if you're addicted to nicotine in pure form for slowing the progression of Parkinson's disease-- and the jury is by no means in on this-- but a huge problem if you're addicted to nicotine delivered via cigarette smoke.

[chiburb]

2. Slightly tongue in cheek, but...

Maybe this is why I've gone right up to the edge of psychosis but never really crossed it? Perhaps my ciggies have kept me "mostly" sane and alive over the years? Yep, I know the price I'll pay at some point... but won't we all?

[MISSDem]

3. I'm not sure that I believe that the nicotine itself is to blame

for so many of the bad things that happen from smoking. Maybe the real problem is from all of the stuff that the regular cigarette makers add to the tobacco when it is growing and also when the cigs are made. Have you seen the list of additives? It is a notebook page covered front and back. I smoke but I use a cig that has no additives and the tobacco is grown organically.

[chiburb]

4. American Spirit?

I've smoked only them since 1989 and there's nothing wrong with my lung!

;-)

[indigobusiness]

5. I'm glad

one remains.