4 ms·
I can't read the article unfortunately. However nicotine also seems somewhat palliative to a range of mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar, anxiety, et
by elcritch 11mo ago
I can't read the article unfortunately.
However nicotine also seems somewhat palliative to a range of mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar, anxiety, etc. I once read a paper that said something like 90% of schizophrenics were chain smokers who were self-medicating.
By that lens the widespread amount smoking in the past makes sense in eras before other pharmaceuticals.
- johnisgood 11mo agoNicotine has lots of benefits, as per many articles on PubMed. That said, tobacco is still one of the worst (unhealthiest) ways to consume nicotine.
- vladvasiliu 11mo agoWhat other widespread way of consuming nicotine was there before patches and vapes? I'm all for measures looking to curb smoking, but the issue is that nicotine seems to be put in the same category, at least judging by PSAs in France. Every nicotine-containing product has scary messages on it, although not to the point of actual cigarettes. I think it's the general trend of losing nuance in public discourse. Things are either all bad or all good. This only confuses to public who can't be reasonably expected to peruse PubMed and build their own understanding of the subject.
- nandomrumber 11mo agoChewing tobacco was probably more popular in the past.
- johnisgood 11mo agoIt was, although not sure how healthier or unhealthier it is to smoking tobacco.
- IAmBroom 11mo agoYou die of mouth cancer instead of lung cancer. So....
- johnisgood 11mo agoThat is besides the point though. It still could be healthier or unhealthier on many accounts.
- array_key_first 11mo agoMost smokers actually don't die of lung cancer. I think it's something like only 15% of lifetime smokers get lung cancer? They die of heart disease, mostly, which is caused by... drumroll please... prolonged nicotine use! At least, in part. It's actually more complicated and we don't know for sure.
- nandomrumber 11mo agoI don’t believe it’s primarily the nicotine that is causing the heart disease. It’s the damages caused by deliberately concentrating and inhaling the combustion products of drier leaf matter.
- array_key_first 11mo agoI guess the question is, how does leaves in your lungs cause your blood vessels in your, say, legs, to get damaged? Makes no sense. The answer is, probably, nicotine. We know, for sure, nicotine contracts blood vessels and raises blood pressure. And we know high blood pressure over time damages blood vessels.
- nandomrumber 11mo agoYou do realise whatever your blood absorbs in your lugs is distributed throughout your body? Some tissues will absorb certain types of chemicals more so than others. You’re right though, nicotine is a CNS stimulant, which by definition does indeed constrict peripheral blood vessels, and raise blood pressure. However, it is well documented that tobacco smoke contains many nastiest. Check out the Health section here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_smoking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_smoking And well documented that wood smoke, and smoke from burning plant matter more generally, is a health hazard, and not just from the acute carbon monoxide risk.
- cluckindan 11mo agoYou’d be chasing dopamine hits too if the system forced you to take antidopaminergic medication.
- 0xEF 11mo agoNot really a difference for those of us who are not medicated, though. Everything around us, especially the stuff served up on the screen you are looking at now, is all clamoring for our attention, burning out our reward centers with reckless abandon in the process. Jumping from app to app has us chasing dopamine crumbs just like cigarettes did when I smoked them for 15 years of my life. The lesson is if you want to hack a human, make them feel something.
- xyzal 11mo agoInteresting, I remember sometimes actually 'getting' anxiety after a cig when I used to smoke.
- IAmBroom 11mo agoIt acts as a stimulant, especially in those who aren't accustomed to it. Stimulants can trigger anxiety. QED, there.
- austinjp 11mo agoYep: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia_and_tobacco_smoking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia_and_tobacco_smok...