Let’s go back to the future... to a time when nicotine is cool (when you don’t vape it or smoke it) and, as we say at Troscriptions, to a time when Blue is the New Smart.
But before we get there... nicotine is bad for you, right?
If you ask a random person on the street whether nicotine is good or bad for your health, overwhelmingly they will answer that it’s worse than bad... it’s terrible! It has earned this reputation because it’s one of the main reasons why people get addicted to tobacco-containing products (there’s more to the story though... see below).
However, did you know that nicotine, in small quantities such as a nootropic, can enhance focus, alertness, concentration, and even protect your brain?
We’d venture to say that nicotine is, in fact, the most misunderstood nootropic on the planet. Read on to learn more!
The History of Nicotine
Tobacco was first introduced into Europe in 1559 from North America where Native Americans mainly used it for ceremonial and medicinal purposes. In Europe, it was used for smoking as well as an insecticide.
Nicotine was first isolated from tobacco in 1828 by chemists Wilhelm Heinrich Posselt and Karl Ludwig Reimann. Its chemical formula was derived in 1843, and it was first synthesized in 1904. It was named after the tobacco plant Nicotiana tabacum, which was named after French ambassador Jean Nicot de Villemain.
How Nicotine Works
Once nicotine gets to your brain, it binds to nAChRs. These are nicotinic receptors that control the release of neurotransmitters, including dopamine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin, GABA, glutamate, and endorphins .
Dopamine is our main “reward” neurotransmitter, released when we feel pleasure. It’s the release of dopamine that is thought to be the reason for nicotine addiction in tobacco users, especially those who vape or smoke (more on this below), but there’s more to the story and they are called additives.
Nicotine + Additives = Badness!
Nicotine has a bad reputation because of its association with tobacco products. However, much of its addictive potential comes from it being consumed with the number of other chemicals and additives found in tobacco or vaping products.
Chemicals such as formaldehyde, lead, arsenic, carbon monoxide, and more all contribute to the addictive and dangerous potential of tobacco smoking. In addition, when smoked, the potential of addiction also increases dramatically because nicotine and the additives get into the bloodstream immediately. Other nicotine products like gums, troches, and sprays take longer to exert an effect and have less addictive potential.
Nicotine can be derived from tobacco or be made synthetically in a lab. Tobacco-derived nicotine comes from the tobacco plant. Synthetic nicotine is made in a lab without any potential impurities, additives, or other chemical compounds that may contaminate or be added to tobacco-derived nicotine.
Nicotine Nootropic Benefits
Nicotine has numerous cognitive benefits and positive effects on the brain including:
- Focus 
- Concentration 
- Memory and learning 
- Protecting your brain (neuroprotective) 
- Creativity 
Many campaigns against tobacco use have painted it as a destroyer of brain and nerve cells. Contrary to this popular belief, studies have found potential for it as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s .
Does nicotine make you smarter?
There are numerous benefits of nicotine as a nootropic, but it isn't going to morph you into Einstein overnight. As a neuroactive compound, it may momentarily fine-tune your brain's processing capabilities but it's no substitute for knowledge and experience. Bear in mind that true wisdom comes from a lifetime of learning — nicotine is just temporarily turning up the dial on your cognitive radio, not reprogramming the station.
Does nicotine improve focus?
Could nicotine act as your brain's temporary assistant? Potentially. By engaging with specific neurotransmitters, nicotine can offer a brief period of sharpened focus — an intellectual espresso shot, if you will. However, like caffeine, the