Smoking is bad for your health, and 96% of us would agree. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees about the use of nicotine.
In fact, more than 29% of people say it could make a ‘great’ nootropic.
While it does have some properties that can be beneficial, it’s a more nuanced topic than many people would have you believe.
Why metabolic health and nicotine cannot coexist
Nicotine is a chemical found in the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes. Tobacco is the nightshade with the highest volume of nicotine, usually 5 milligrams per gram (which is 50,000 times stronger than the nicotine in an eggplant).
Of course, the amount of nicotine you’ll find in plants is much smaller than what you’ll find in processed products. Cigarettes, vapes, gum, and patches contain anywhere between 2 mg and 50 mg of nicotine.
I’m sure you’re aware of its most common side effects. Nicotine is both a stimulant and an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety compound), which means it can boost focus, enhance concentration, and improve relaxation in repeated doses. It was even prescribed as an appetite suppressant to help individuals lose weight quickly. Cigarette smokers attest to all of these things, and they’ve led to non-smokers using nicotine products (such as gum) to enjoy the benefits without smoking.
There are also several studies indicating nicotine’s effect on:
- Physical performance, including better fine motor responses
- Mood enhancement for those with depression or anxiety
- Fat metabolism and weight loss
But of course, this isn’t the end of the story.
Nicotine is technically classified as a poison — it was one of the world’s first major agricultural pesticides. High doses can kill bugs in just one hour. It can also kill humans in the same amount of time.
Nicotine has also been studied to:
- Increase blood pressure, sometimes resulting in hypertension
- Lead to insulin resistance and diabetes
- Stimulate tumor growth
- Encourage vascular dysfunction
- Damage intestinal lining and trigger inflammation
- Result in magnesium deficiencies
If you stop using nicotine for any reason, its so-called ‘benefits’ quickly turn into detractants. Your metabolism slows down, your cognitive performance falls, and you may feel worse off than before you started using it.
In other words, it’s true that there are certain benefits associated with regular nicotine consumption, but the negatives far outweigh the positives.
The good news? Not only is it possible to overcome a nicotine addiction, but you can restore your metabolic health in a matter of months.
Overcoming a nicotine addiction to save your metabolic health
More than 23.6 million Americans have nicotine dependence, and less than one in ten of them will successfully quit this year.
If you want to be in the 10% club, you need to write up a game plan and take it one step at a time.
I want you to start with the below:
- Consult with your doctor first and foremost. They’re already familiar with your medical history and can easily outline a plan of care. If you don’t already have a PCP (or are trying to find a new one), you can use my vetting guide to find a good fit.
- Consider your ‘why’ for giving up smoking. Who are you staying healthy for? If you put this in perspective and remind yourself of ‘why,’ you may find it easier to stick to the script. Accountability partners may be helpful here (and potentially improve your odds).
- Replace your nicotine addiction with a more constructive habit. This could include gum, strong mints, or lozenges. You can pair this habit with deep breathing exercises, which measurably dampen your cravings for nicotine. Or when cravings hit, distract yourself by going for a short walk, knocking out a set of push-ups, or making a phone call.
- Throw some mindset management into the mix — because it’s possible to quit nicotine like you might quit sugar. Avoid triggers, replace cravings with exercise, and surround yourself with people who care. The less time and access you have to nicotine, the less likely you are to sink back into the habit.
Keep in mind this isn’t an exhaustive list of tips, and what works for one person may not work for another. I advise my patients to listen to their bodies and make informed decisions based on what works best for them.
What to expect after you quit nicotine
Beating a nicotine addiction is no easy task. I congratulate you for having the courage to embark on the journey.
But it’s also important to be aware of what may come next. Preparing for obstacles and setbacks today can help you stick to your goals tomorrow.
Since nicotine artificially speeds up your metabolic rate, you may experience some weight gain initially.
But don’t worry, this isn’t a permanent consequence. So long as you’re feeding yourself with whole, real foods and getting 30 minutes of exercise per day, you can retain muscle mass while losing body fat.
Don’t expect your cravings to completely stop, either. Environmental triggers (and even well-meaning individuals) can trigger your desire to smoke even years in the future. This is why I suggest finding a community of others to keep yourself on target.
If you’re looking for a combination of peer support and professional coaching, my Gold Elite plan may be what you’re looking for. This program comes with group meetings and unlimited metabolic coach sessions so you can hold yourself accountable while making lasting changes.
