Well, my shrink disagrees with you, and my ability to read any book in a linear way from start to finish left the day I quit smoking and has never returned. And prior to quitting, being busy never stopped me from what you term “frivolous” reading.
I can concentrate on short reading, which law reading absolutely is. I could sit for hours and hours in the library, but it was multiple books I was reading pieces of or cases, which don’t run to book length.
There have been studies and research that reveals that my experience isn’t isolated. I haven’t heard about other people specifically losing the reading ability, but self-medication with nicotine has been identified in people with ADD. There’s nothing strange or unbelievable about it: ADD is most effectively treated with stimulants and drugs that affect dopamine levels in the brain, and nicotine does that.
Today was interesting; I did notice a difference but I’m still not prepared to say it’s definitive. I did feel differently and so far no hint of any desire to smoke.
The nicotine lozenges are very good. They taste delicious IMO.
I would have dismissed your theory about the nicotine helping the ADD if you were able to read, say, a year after quitting smoking, but weren’t, so I think you’re right, and stimulants definitely are helpful with ADD and ADHD.
Not to mention that nicotine, itself, is highly toxic and addictive. Although pharmaceutical stimulants tend to be addictive as well, I’ve never heard that they are anywhere near as acutely toxic as nicotine. That is to say, there’s no Adderall or Ritalin analogue to someone vomiting because he inadvertently swallowed a shred of tobacco from a cigar or an unfiltered Camel.
This study finds possible link between nicotine and human squamous cell carcinoma.
However, this article does a nice job explaining the findings and why you probably don’t need to throw out your patches and e-cigs just yet.