# Nicotine in itself is bad for you. It's good as an adjunct drug for some mental disorders. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 25, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicotine-in-itself-is-bad-for-you-its-good-as-an-adjunct-drug-for-some-mental-disorders/661906 "2013-06-25T19:35:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicotine-in-itself-is-bad-for-you-its-good-as-an-adjunct-drug-for-some-mental-disorders/661906/1 "2013-06-25T19:35:56Z")
See subjects, which although without question marks are GQs. I’ve researched by Googling on the subject, and am a subscriber to the newsletter of the [Brain & Behavior Research Foundation](http://bbrfoundation.org/) (formerly known as NARSAD). But I am not a scientist. Anecdotally, I am in support of the second half of the hed, for my mood disorder; in fact, my psychiatrist, a doctor of course, has told me so and, if not encouraging taking up smoking, has not discouraged it. I now think e-cigarettes are the best thing since sliced bread. (In my case.) Now, my Googling is just that: a layman’s brush with negative Google-itis (Internet-induced hypochondria). I would like to hear from others with more scientific knowledge–cite away, if you feel like it–and other anecdotes. Thanks, Leo ---
**Author:** ![Nippless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/df788c/32.png) [@Nippless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nippless)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicotine-in-itself-is-bad-for-you-its-good-as-an-adjunct-drug-for-some-mental-disorders/661906/2 "2013-06-28T08:29:17Z")
It’s not well understood, but nicotine may help some schizophrenic patients. > **[Schizophrenia and tobacco smoking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia_and_smoking)** > > Schizophrenia and tobacco smoking have been strongly associated. Smoking is known to harm the health of people with schizophrenia, and to negatively affect their cognition. > Studies across 20 countries showed that people with schizophrenia were much more likely to smoke than those without this diagnosis. For example, in the United States, 90% or more of people with schizophrenia smoked, compared to 20% of the general population in 2006. > Though it is well established that smoking is more prevalen... > **[Could Schizophrenia Be Treated With Nicotine?](https://gizmodo.com/could-schizophrenia-be-treated-with-nicotine-5835898)** > > Smoking is bad for you blah blah we know. But you couldn't really tell that to the 80% of American schizophrenic patients who smoke. The jury is still out on why that number's so high, but could some form of treatment come out of this? > **[Effects of nicotine on cognitive deficits in schizophrenia - PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15138435/)** > > Several lines of evidence suggest a pathophysiological role for nicotinic receptors in schizophrenia. Activation by nicotine alters physiological dysfunctions, such as eye movement and sensory gating abnormalities, but effects on neuropsychological... ---
**Author:** ![Whitney\_Harper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@Whitney\_Harper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whitney_Harper)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicotine-in-itself-is-bad-for-you-its-good-as-an-adjunct-drug-for-some-mental-disorders/661906/3 "2013-06-28T08:49:51Z")
I am probably one of the very few people who likes the smell of cigarette smoke. I started smoking when I was about sixteen years old, and smoked for about eight years, and then again off and on. I had a cigarette about six months ago, but I don’t smoke on a regular basis now. To be honest, I would if it were not bad for my health. I’ve heard that when one inhales the smoke from a cigarette they feel the good effects in about eight seconds. I think it does temporarily alter brain chemicals for the better initially, as I guess that’s why people get addicted. I think it probably can help a person emotionally, but it is a catch-22, as a person who smokes regularly will probably get a major health problem from smoking over time. ---
**Author:** ![\_Olive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/4af34b/32.png) [@\_Olive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Olive)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicotine-in-itself-is-bad-for-you-its-good-as-an-adjunct-drug-for-some-mental-disorders/661906/4 "2013-06-28T09:18:58Z")
I love nicotine lozenges. I use about 12 a day. I haven’t smoked cigarettes for over a year. So my addiction is better than it once was. I think.