Episode
Nicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping
1:52:17
Published: Mon Sep 19 2022
Description
In this episode, I explain how nicotine impacts the brain and body, including its potent ability to enhance attention, focus, and alertness, increase blood pressure and metabolism and reduce appetite. I discuss nicotine’s ability to increase the action of neurochemicals, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine and activate sympathetic (alertness-promoting) neural circuits. I also discuss common nicotine delivery methods, such as cigarettes, vaping, dip, and snuff, and how they each create their own unique experience and how they, but not nicotine itself, cause cancer and other adverse health effects. I also explain science-based tools to permanently quit smoking cigarettes or vaping, including peer-reviewed clinical hypnosis tools, antidepressants, and alternative nicotine replacement (patches, lozenges, gums etc.). As nicotine is one of the most widely used substances with billions of users — most of whom report wanting to quit — this episode ought to be of interest to former/current nicotine users, those who want to quit smoking or vaping and/or those interested in learning the biology behind how nicotine impacts the brain and body. For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Thesis: https://takethesis.com/huberman Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Nicotine (00:03:41) Tool: Brief Daily Meditation & Focus (00:05:59) The Arrow Model of Focus, Alpha GPC & Garlic Supplements (00:10:05) Sponsor: LMNT, Thesis, Momentous (00:14:35) Nicotine Effects vs. Methods of Delivery, Acetylcholine (00:19:55) Where is Nicotine Found? Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (00:25:12) Nicotine & Effects on the Brain: Appetite, Dopamine & GABA (00:29:37) Sponsor: AG1 (00:32:11) Nicotine, Acetylcholine & Attentional “Spotlighting” (00:37:29) Nicotine, Norepinephrine & Alertness/Energy (00:41:10) Nicotine & Effects on Appetite & Metabolism (00:46:47) Nicotine & Effects on Body: Sympathetic Tone (00:51:29) Nicotine & Cognitive Work vs. Physical Performance (00:55:08) Nicotine Delivery Methods & Side Effects, Young People & Dependency (00:58:35) Smoking, Vaping, Dipping & Snuffing: Carcinogens & Endothelial Cells (01:02:34) Smoking, Vaping, Dipping & Snuffing: Negative Impacts on Lifespan & Health (01:09:23) How to Quit Smoking, Nicotine Cravings & Withdrawal (01:13:56) Vaping & Nicotine, Rates of Effect Onset, Dopamine, Addiction & Depression (01:25:06) Tool: Quitting Smoking & Clinical Hypnosis, Reveri (01:30:16) Bupropion (Wellbutrin) & Quitting Smoking (01:36:24) Tool: A Nicotine Replacement Schedule to Quit Smoking, Nicotine Patch/Gum (01:41:52) Tool: Biological Homeostasis & Nicotine Withdrawal, The “First Week” Strategy (01:51:39) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Neural Network Newsletter, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac Disclaimer
Chapters
Studies done at New York University show that a brief 13-minute daily meditation drastically enhances focus and ability, along with the discussion of the effects of nicotine on the brain and body, and the potential benefits of specific nicotine delivery methods.
00:00 - 06:54 (06:54)
Summary
Studies done at New York University show that a brief 13-minute daily meditation drastically enhances focus and ability, along with the discussion of the effects of nicotine on the brain and body, and the potential benefits of specific nicotine delivery methods.
EpisodeNicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping
PodcastHuberman Lab
This episode focuses on the use of 13-minute-a-day meditation and 300-milligram-alpha-GPC for increasing focus capacity and the importance of optimal ranges for metabolic factors, lipids, hormones, etc., for better health, as well as methods of increasing dopamine levels.
06:54 - 13:45 (06:50)
Summary
This episode focuses on the use of 13-minute-a-day meditation and 300-milligram-alpha-GPC for increasing focus capacity and the importance of optimal ranges for metabolic factors, lipids, hormones, etc., for better health, as well as methods of increasing dopamine levels.
EpisodeNicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping
PodcastHuberman Lab
Nicotine addiction can be relieved by using nicotine itself, which is found not only in tobacco plants but also in nightshades like tomatoes and eggplants.
13:45 - 22:14 (08:29)
Summary
Nicotine addiction can be relieved by using nicotine itself, which is found not only in tobacco plants but also in nightshades like tomatoes and eggplants. Nicotine binds to receptors in the brain to exert its effects, but human receptors for nicotine differ from those of other species.
EpisodeNicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping
PodcastHuberman Lab
Nicotine quickly enters the bloodstream and has rapid effects on the brain by binding to the alpha-4-beta-2 receptor, leading to an increase in metabolism and reduction of hunger.
22:14 - 31:03 (08:48)
Summary
Nicotine quickly enters the bloodstream and has rapid effects on the brain by binding to the alpha-4-beta-2 receptor, leading to an increase in metabolism and reduction of hunger. The effects are mediated through the main nicotine receptor, alpha-4-beta-2, and take 2 to 15 minutes to appear after ingesting nicotine.
EpisodeNicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping
PodcastHuberman Lab
Nicotine triggers the release of norepinephrine, leading to an increase in energy, alertness, and focus, as well as the release of dopamine and acetylcholine.
31:03 - 39:16 (08:12)
Summary
Nicotine triggers the release of norepinephrine, leading to an increase in energy, alertness, and focus, as well as the release of dopamine and acetylcholine.
EpisodeNicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping
PodcastHuberman Lab
The ingestion of nicotine directly affects metabolism by binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which can suppress appetite.
39:16 - 47:36 (08:20)
Summary
The ingestion of nicotine directly affects metabolism by binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which can suppress appetite. This explains why people find it difficult to quit ingesting nicotine even if they want to quit smoking or vaping.
EpisodeNicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping
PodcastHuberman Lab
Nicotine ingestion for cognitive enhancement purposes, unless prescribed by a doctor, can lead to addiction and dependence.
47:36 - 58:09 (10:33)
Summary
Nicotine ingestion for cognitive enhancement purposes, unless prescribed by a doctor, can lead to addiction and dependence. While adult neuroplasticity allows for potential benefits of nicotine, smoking, vaping, dipping tobacco or snuffing has negative effects on mental and physical health.
EpisodeNicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping
PodcastHuberman Lab
Smoking, vaping, dipping, and snuffing all contain carcinogens that contribute to reduction in lifespan.
58:09 - 1:08:21 (10:12)
Summary
Smoking, vaping, dipping, and snuffing all contain carcinogens that contribute to reduction in lifespan. Nicotine use causes memory lapses and working memory failures, which can differ depending on the amounts consumed via these four delivery devices.
EpisodeNicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping
PodcastHuberman Lab
Nicotine and cocaine trigger addiction and have negative health effects on all age groups by modulating the dopamine reward system, leading to impairment that can be permanently damaged without intervention.
1:08:21 - 1:24:30 (16:08)
Summary
Nicotine and cocaine trigger addiction and have negative health effects on all age groups by modulating the dopamine reward system, leading to impairment that can be permanently damaged without intervention. There are parallels between nicotine and cocaine drug pharmacokinetics, which can be a strong reference in understanding addiction mechanisms.
EpisodeNicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping
PodcastHuberman Lab
This review discusses the statistics of smoking-related deaths, the challenges of quitting smoking or vaping, including the high relapse rate, and the pharmacological methods used to quit smoking or vaping, such as nicotine delivery devices, SSRIs, and antidepressants.
1:24:30 - 1:40:15 (15:44)
Summary
This review discusses the statistics of smoking-related deaths, the challenges of quitting smoking or vaping, including the high relapse rate, and the pharmacological methods used to quit smoking or vaping, such as nicotine delivery devices, SSRIs, and antidepressants.
EpisodeNicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping
PodcastHuberman Lab
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms can cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, mood, and alertness leading to people feeling worse than before they ever smoked or vaped, but with efficient tools to reinforce the system with dopamine, a 95% failure rate can be overcome.
1:40:15 - 1:49:38 (09:23)
Summary
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms can cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, mood, and alertness leading to people feeling worse than before they ever smoked or vaped, but with efficient tools to reinforce the system with dopamine, a 95% failure rate can be overcome.
EpisodeNicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping
PodcastHuberman Lab
The Huberman Lab podcast has partnered with Momentous Supplements and invites feedback and suggestions from viewers on topics and guests for future episodes.
1:49:39 - 1:52:22 (02:43)
Summary
The Huberman Lab podcast has partnered with Momentous Supplements and invites feedback and suggestions from viewers on topics and guests for future episodes.