Huberman Lab

Nicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping

Sep 19, 2022

Explore nicotine's intriguing effects on the brain, enhancing focus and alertness while tempting users with its addictive nature. Discover the various delivery methods, from smoking to vaping, and their unique experiences and risks. Gain insights into the neurochemical impact behind nicotine, including its role in dopamine and norepinephrine action. Learn effective strategies for quitting, including clinical hypnosis and alternative replacements, catering to the massive audience eager to kick the habit.

01:50:24

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Nicotine activates the mesolimbic reward pathway, increasing dopamine levels and enhancing focus and concentration.

Nicotine suppresses appetite and increases metabolism, resulting in slight calorie burning.

Nicotine increases heart rate, blood pressure, and prepares the body for action.

The combination of nicotine's effects on dopamine, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine contributes to its addictive properties.

Nicotine enhances cognitive work but does not improve physical performance.

Deep dives

Nicotine's effects on the brain

Nicotine activates the mesolimbic reward pathway, increasing dopamine levels and providing feelings of motivation and pleasure. It also increases acetylcholine, enhancing focus and concentration. Additionally, nicotine stimulates the release of norepinephrine, boosting alertness and energy.

Nicotine Consumption and Brain Development

02:12

The Tool Kit for Focus

01:20

Vaping is the fastest way of nicotine to get into bloodstream

01:10

Nicotine as a Powerful Compound for Focus and Motivation

01:01

Intro

4min

Enhancing Focus: Meditation and Neurochemistry

8min

Unpacking Nicotine: Effects and Implications

26min

The Complex Effects of Nicotine on the Brain and Body

32min

Understanding Nicotine Addiction and Effective Cessation Strategies

45min

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.

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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

(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

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Huberman Lab

Nicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Nicotine's effects on the brain

Nicotine's effects on appetite and metabolism

Nicotine's effects on the body

The addictive nature of nicotine

Nicotine's Impact on Blood Flow and Penile Girth

The Optimal State for Cognitive Work

Negative Health Effects and Cessation Strategies

The parallels between cocaine and nicotine delivery routes

The addictive nature of vaping and the effects of nicotine on dopamine

Nicotine Consumption and Brain Development

The Tool Kit for Focus

Vaping is the fastest way of nicotine to get into bloodstream

Nicotine as a Powerful Compound for Focus and Motivation

Thank you to our sponsors

Timestamps

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts