Episode 40: Nicotine – From Potential Benefits to Hidden Dangers

This week on The Tox Lab, we’re diving into the surprising sides of nicotine.

Beyond its well-known risks, we explore how nicotine might have therapeutic potential in conditions like schizophrenia and dementia—where deficits in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors could play a role. We also discuss the MIND study, which is testing whether nicotine can boost memory, attention, and learning in dementia patients.

Then, we turn to the other side of the story—nicotine as a poison—examining U.S. poison centre data on exposures in children, and what trends and outcomes tell us about the risks.

From possible medicine to dangerous toxin, join us as we explore the full spectrum of nicotine’s impact.

Hope you enjoy!

Links to papers we discussed:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9020415/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10854606/

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02720445

https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/156/2/e2024070522/202640/Nicotine-Ingestions-Among-Young-Children-2010-2023?autologincheck=redirected

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

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