Nicotine contrary to popular belief has significant health benefits (when removed from cigarette smoking) and is showing great promise in medical research in a number of areas.

In addition to schizophrenia and attention Deficit Disorder, Nicotine is also being researched to treat other diseases including:

Depression Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease and even obesity.

Affect on moods and concentration

Medical research has also shown that people with Schizophrenia and Attention Deficit Disorder tend to smoke much more than the general population.

This could be that these people may be making up for deficits in the brain that affect concentration. So can nicotine actually help boost concentration and brainpower?

Initial medical research looks promising and several companies are engaged in research in this area. The health benefits of nicotine being shown by medical research on the brain at present include a positive effect on memory, better alertness and giving feelings of pleasure.

Testing smokers before an exam or an important business meeting has proved this already.

Nicotine is already known to activate the receptors on the surface of cells in the brain, causing these neurons to release dopamine, a chemical that gives feelings of pleasure and well being.

The same areas of the brain that are stimulated by nicotine influence our moods.

By stimulating the release of specific neurotransmitters that include, Serotonin, Dopamine (mentioned above) and Norepinephrine, Nicotine looks to be able to correct imbalances in these areas and make patients feel better and improve concentration and attention.

Nicotine in its pure form is a naturally occurring compound, which is safe, and non-toxic.

Many people simply assume is bad due to its association with smoking however in its natural state it does not cause any health problems whatsoever and on the contrary as we have seen could have significant health benefits.