Nicotine: impact on cognition, performance, mood, health risks, and more (AMA 70 sneak peek)

In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter dives deep into nicotine—a topic increasingly debated both scientifically & publicly. He clarifies the critical differences between nicotine & tobacco, highlighting why nicotine alone isn't primarily responsible for smoking's severe health consequences. Peter examines the specific risks associated with nicotine use, including addiction, sleep disruption, cardiovascular concerns, & effects on mood & anxiety. He evaluates various nicotine delivery methods, from traditional cigarettes to gums, pouches, & synthetic alternatives, ranking them according to their relative safety. Additionally, Peter explores nicotine's potential positive & negative impacts on physical performance, cognitive function, fertility, & its interactions with other stimulants like caffeine. Finally, he provides practical guidance for minimizing risks with nicotine use & offers thoughtful strategies for smoking cessation & effective nicotine replacement therapies.

View show notes here: https://bit.ly/3RgcQuc
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We discuss:
01:38-Revisiting the previous AMA on microplastics: low-effort, high-impact changes to significantly reduce microplastic exposure
03:40-Overview of episode topics related to nicotine
05:06-The current landscape of nicotine research
07:18-Addressing the common misconception that nicotine itself is the primary cause of tobacco-related health risks
11:12-Peter’s Marlboro-branded apparel is a nostalgic tribute to the Formula One era & not a sign of support for smoking
13:50-The limitations of current research on the health risks of nicotine itself
20:36-The most common side effects of nicotine

In the full episode, we also discuss:
The impact on sleep
Nicotine & mood: how nicotine can have both anxiety-inducing & calming effects
The addictive properties of nicotine
The various nicotine products & nicotine delivery methods available
The relative risks of various nicotine products
Potential cognitive benefits of nicotine
How nicotine exposure during adolescence can negatively impact brain development
Nicotine's potential to prevent or slow neurodegenerative diseases
Nicotine’s impact on memory, learning, & attention
The interaction between nicotine & other stimulants, particularly caffeine
Nicotine's potential impact on physical performance
The potential effects of nicotine on fertility, & the challenges of distinguishing the impact of nicotine itself from the effects of smoking
Considerations for people curious about using nicotine for its cognitive benefits
Weighing cognitive claims, addiction risks, & personal tolerance
The prevalence of smoking, the health risks, & long-term benefits of quitting
Effective strategies for smoking cessation
The reasons behind weight gain after quitting smoking & the role of nicotine in appetite suppression

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About:

The Peter Attia Drive is a deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing longevity, and all that goes into that from physical to cognitive to emotional health. With over 90 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including exercise, nutritional biochemistry, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, and much more.

Peter Attia is the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that applies the principles of Medicine 3.0 to patients with the goal of lengthening their lifespan and simultaneously improving their healthspan.

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