This is not about talking about the “health benefits” of nicotine, but a new study conducted by the Texas A&M School of Medicine (USA) reveals that this addictive chemical found in tobacco could protect us against brain aging . The study has been published in the Journal of Toxicology.
Previous studies with both animals and humans have shown that nicotine has possible cognitive benefits as this substance activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in the brain, which has been associated with the reduction of neurodegeneration and is involved in several functions central such as voluntary control of movement, memory, attention, sleep or anxiety.
For their study, the scientists used mouse models to investigate the effects of nicotine – in different doses: low, medium and high – on appetite, weight, anxiety and levels of nicotinic receptors in the brain .
The results revealed that the rodents that received low and medium doses of nicotine did not show changes of any kind; on the contrary, those who received high doses showed a reduction in food intake and body weight as well as an increase in nicotinic receptors in the brain, as well as an increase in anxiety.
The researchers plan to conduct further studies to investigate the effects of nicotine against neurodegeneration in elderly mice, as well as to determine whether nicotine’s ability to reduce appetite and gain weight explains its possible protective effect against it. aging of the brain.
“In the end we have not proven that this addictive drug is safe – and it certainly is not in any way during childhood or adolescence – but the benefits outweigh the potential risks,” explains Ursula Winzer-Serhan, leader of the work.
