Posted on 07/17/2004 5:17:58 PM PDT by MadIvan
Nicotine could soon be rehabilitated as a treatment for schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as hyperactivity disorders.
Research shows that the chemical that has addicted millions to smoking has a powerful impact on brain activity in patients who suffer from psychiatric and degenerative disorders.
Some experiments have shown that nicotine can slow down the onset of Parkinson's symptoms; others have had revealed its power in curtailing the hallucinations of schizophrenics.
'A whole range of psychiatric conditions seem to be helped by nicotine,' said Dr Dan McGehee, a neurobiologist at the University of Chicago. 'However, such benefits do not justify smoking. The lethal effects of cigarettes far outweigh any help they provide. On the other hand, our research does suggest that derivatives of nicotine, administered medically, could help to alleviate a range of psychiatric problems.'
Nicotine is known to switch on receptors on the surface of cells in certain parts of the brain, causing these neurones to release the neuro-transmitter dopamine, a chemical that is associated with feelings of pleasure. This effect leads to a person's addiction.
More than 50 per cent of people suffering from clinical depression smoke, while the figure rises to 95 per cent for schizophrenics. But smoking among the general public has dropped to about 25 per cent. 'The assumption is that people with psychiatric conditions are self-medicating,' said McGehee. 'They are smoking because the nicotine in particularly helpful in alleviating their condition.'
This point is backed by Dr Tony George, of Yale University. 'Smoking is a marker for psychopathology,' he states in the current issue of the journal Nature Medicine.
Similarly, it has been found that nicotine can sometimes slow the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson's, a disease caused by the slow destruction of certain types of brain cells.
'Either nicotine stimulates other types of brain cells to compensate for the loss of the cells involved in Parkinson's, or it is somehow providing protection to remaining healthy Parkinson's cells,' said McGehee. 'Either way, the effect is noticeable.'
Both of them know it helps...
Gee,
Ever wonder why it is (or was, my study stopped a few years back) prevalent among Vietnam veterans and others who might be in need of some assistance in levelling out?
[Kerry and company excepted, Indo China seems to have been a left-leaning tonic for him...brain-novacaine for the others.]
Once they quit, they'd be perfect just like you, right?
Yup. It is right up there with drinking the byproducts of rotten corn.
I would, too. In fact, I'd wager a tidy sum that 70%+ of FReepers are non-smokers.
I'm not aware of any studies that attempt to correlate smoking and intelligence, per se, but there is plenty of evidence of a strong inverse correlation between smoking and education level, and between smoking and income level. So you may draw your own conclusions. Since I am confident that FReepers skew strongly toward higher education levels and toward higher income levels, I am confident that smoking among FReepers is rarer than it is among the general population.
Now, clearly there are intelligent, productive, all-around wonderful people who smoke. I know a few. But I know which side I'd place my bet on. Maybe some day (after the election, to be sure), we could run a simple poll here: Do you smoke, yes or no? It might be interesting.
I guess that's why I still want a cigarette when I'm doing lots of paperwork.
(s)Parents caught taken cigarets away from their children will be arrested for child neglect.(/s)
Somebody must have realized tax revenues will be hurt if people reeeealy stopped smoking.
I started smoking socially on 9-11..LOL. Believe it or not, it is still not a habit. Neither am I addicted to codeine from my many lifetime presscriptions of this analgesic, or alcohol, or marijuana [from my college escapades].
Funny thing is..I AM addicted to caffeine. What's wrong with this picture....
Many doctors have long recommended, informally, that Parkinson's sufferers be allowed to continue smoking. I knew a lady for many years who was separated from her cigarettes when she became a "bipolar" patient by her children. After a couple of years of her increasing craziness her son started her with the nicotine patches and she seemed to have an easier time until she died three more years later.
Perhaps this could be an interisting topic in itself if posted. I'm not going to do it.
Now, there are many shapes and sizes of Freepers. Also, there are those that are activists and those that sit behind their keyboards and each has their own habits.
What I am saying is from observatiions from in front of the White House for 2 years, Philly protests, Pittsburgh protests and numerous in DC. Also, many lunches at Luigi's in DC and the Orleans House in Vienna VA. I'm not even mentioning book signings, Harrisburg protest, etc. etc. etc.,. And Oh, the Count The Silverware GWB Ball. (make that one 80%).
I must say that Freepers are very considerate smokers. Example: Kristinn and I strip our cigerettes and save the butts for a can. We also have taught many other Freepers when active to do this. We will NOT let any litter in the area the we just left.
I could be a bit top heavy at 70%, will admit.
Ping to Kristinn on this one.
I have about 5 cigarettes a day, and a few cups of coffee. The older I get, the less I really want of anything, including food...
I'm healthy, I'm a nurse, no doctor has ever suggested that I quit smoking.
I've remarked to friends that I'd be happy to quit smoking provided I can replace the habit with something equally satisfying......like murdering people.
I am one Freeper who smokes about a pack a day, and has an IQ over 130. Come from an upper middle class background, too.
I do have problems with depression, and my mom is in end stage Alzheimer's. I have told my children the truth. That smoking cuts my chances of getting Alzheimer's by about 50%. And, if it doesn't, I would rather die younger from lung cancer than older from Alzheimer's.
It is my life, and my choice. All of you anti-smoking nazis can rant all you want, but recognize that no-one gets out of here alive. Dying is expensive no matter how it happens.
A friend of mine just died suddenly after a 5 day illness in the hospital. Her bill for the 5 days came to $260,000.00. That is not a typo. She did not smoke. She was 59 years old.
I just have to repeat your comment because I find it so hillarious.
Freepers come from all walks of life and are not "higher education levels". Oh, my. As they say ROLF.
Thank you for a wonderful laugh on a Saturday night. Not making fun of you. Just enjoyed a different perspective.
"...just using a nicontine patch. Then, women who smoke wouldn't develop leathery faces, yellow teeth, and wheezing manly voices."
They should just chew. Wouldn't you just love to see a gal with a cheekful of Redman?
Yeah, I for one am just a little old wrinkled up whisky-voiced yalla-toothed ignorant hillbilly granny. Why, it's a miracle I even larned myself to use this here computer thang. ;-D
Show up at the 2005 CPAC meetings........
Not all, but the vast majority of the FReepers were smokers at the 2004 -- or at least the ones that came out and socialized. OTOH, socializing, except amongst their prissy selves is not something I have ever noticed antis capable of doing.
The absolute ignorance shown by some members of FR to other members who choose to smoke sometimes makes me extremely ill.
The same people who once smoked in public now talk on cell phones in public.
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