# Physical dependance and usefulness of nicotine as a stimulant? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 10, 2015, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physical-dependance-and-usefulness-of-nicotine-as-a-stimulant/724738 "2015-07-10T06:35:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DoctorDevice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@DoctorDevice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorDevice)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physical-dependance-and-usefulness-of-nicotine-as-a-stimulant/724738/1 "2015-07-10T06:35:05Z")
Anybody have some (preferably non-anecdotal) information on how much time at what kind of dosage it takes to develop physical dependance on nicotine? Also, what are some of the negative effects of nicotine prominent with infrequent, short term use? A cursory glance over google and the wikipedia page yielded inconclusive results. Why? I work security and most nights I take a walk on the roof to wake myself up a bit and stretch my legs, and I always think “man I wish I had a cigarette right now” though I’m not a smoker. I gave in and bummed one from a friend the other day and it was nice, but I know smoking’s a bad habit to pick up. As a result, I’ve been thinking about getting an inexpensive e-cig for the occasional midnight roof walk. I also know that e-cigs are very new and there haven’t been long term studies done on their health effects, so I’m taking that into account. I’m not very worried about addiction as I have a fairly powerful strength of will and lack an addictive personality. I’m open to all thoughts and potential criticisms. ---
**Author:** ![Willcross](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Willcross](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Willcross)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physical-dependance-and-usefulness-of-nicotine-as-a-stimulant/724738/2 "2015-07-10T11:59:13Z")
> [@DoctorDevice](#): > > Anybody have some (preferably non-anecdotal) information on how much time at what kind of dosage it takes to develop physical dependance on nicotine? Also, what are some of the negative effects of nicotine prominent with infrequent, short term use? > A cursory glance over google and the wikipedia page yielded inconclusive results. > > Why? > I work security and most nights I take a walk on the roof to wake myself up a bit and stretch my legs, and I always think “man I wish I had a cigarette right now” though I’m not a smoker. I gave in and bummed one from a friend the other day and it was nice, but I know smoking’s a bad habit to pick up. As a result, I’ve been thinking about getting an inexpensive e-cig for the occasional midnight roof walk. I also know that e-cigs are very new and there haven’t been long term studies done on their health effects, so I’m taking that into account. I’m not very worried about addiction as I have a fairly powerful strength of will and lack an addictive personality. > > I’m open to all thoughts and potential criticisms. Nicotine is very bad for your heart. You can buy caffeine bills at any pharmacy. I also work nights, sometimes I take a caffeine pill with a diet Mt. Dew and it wakes me up pretty well. Also not nearly as addictive or expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Habeed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a587f6/32.png) [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physical-dependance-and-usefulness-of-nicotine-as-a-stimulant/724738/3 "2015-07-10T12:33:59Z")
The drug you want is [modafinil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modafinil). Lots of positive research showing it’s better than caffeine, lasts longer, etc. ---
**Author:** ![val23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/65b543/32.png) [@val23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/val23)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physical-dependance-and-usefulness-of-nicotine-as-a-stimulant/724738/4 "2015-07-10T13:27:19Z")
Hi DoctorDevice, I found some information regarding the amount of nicotine that leads to physical dependence as well as the amount of nicotine delivered via electronic cigarettes. This policy recommendation from the World Health Organization discusses the nicotine levels in nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) vs. the average smoker’s nicotine intake. NRTs are used to reduce and eventually eliminate a person’s nicotine dependence. The discussion in the “Acute dosing” section seems especially relevant: [http://www.who.int/tobacco/health\_impact/en/ch3.pdf](http://www.who.int/tobacco/health_impact/en/ch3.pdf) The World Health Organization is a well-known international body comprised of medical and public health specialists who “direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations’ system”, so I trust that this information is reliable. This article from Tobacco Control studies the levels of nicotine delivered via electronic cigarettes: > **[Electronic cigarettes and nicotine clinical pharmacology](https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/23/suppl_2/ii30.full)** > > Objective To review the available literature evaluating electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) nicotine clinical pharmacology in order to understand the potential impact of e-cigarettes on individual users, nicotine dependence and public health. > > Methods... Tobacco Control is an international, peer-reviewed health journal, so I trust that this information is reliable. Finally, this abstract from Psychopharmacology studies smokers who did not develop a physical dependence to nicotine: > **[Nicotine elimination and tolerance in non-dependent cigarette smokers -...](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02247722)** > > Although most smokers are nicotine-dependent, recent studies suggest that some very light smokers (“chippers”, who smoke fewer than five cigarettes per day) may smoke for decades without developing dependence. It was considered that slowed nicotine... To access the full article, you need a subscription. Your local library may have a subscription to this journal or can help you obtain access. Psychopharmacology is a peer-reviewed medical journal focusing on the mechanisms by which drugs affect behavior, so I trust that this information is reliable. I hope these resources are helpful to you and others concerned with a physical dependence on nicotine. –Valerie Florez Librarian If you have more questions, your local librarian can help. Many library web sites have a link where you can chat online with a librarian 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physical-dependance-and-usefulness-of-nicotine-as-a-stimulant/724738/5 "2015-07-10T15:21:15Z")
The World Health Organization does some good things but it can at times be driven more by agenda than by science. [http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20140905/who-call-e-cigarette-ban-criticized](http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20140905/who-call-e-cigarette-ban-criticized) > [@](#): > > … experts writing in the journal Addiction say the evidence behind the WHO report is riddled with errors, misinterpretations, and misrepresentations. > > Furthermore, they say, it could persuade policymakers to ignore the potential public health benefits of e-cigarettes. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physical-dependance-and-usefulness-of-nicotine-as-a-stimulant/724738/6 "2015-07-10T15:45:02Z")
Aww, somebody’s doing predatory reference. Good on ya. ---
**Author:** ![val23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/65b543/32.png) [@val23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/val23)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physical-dependance-and-usefulness-of-nicotine-as-a-stimulant/724738/7 "2015-07-10T22:24:46Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Aww, somebody’s doing predatory reference. Good on ya. Thanks, Zsofia! 🙂