Posted by linkadge on September 16, 2006, at 7:42:30
In reply to Re: Nicotine and Depression, posted by dondon on September 16, 2006, at 5:38:45
Nicotine only has limited reinforcement properties in animals. Animals do not self inject nicotine like they do cocain or heroin.
I don't think the comparisons between nicotine and heroin are acurate at all. I think that statistically it may be as hard to quit, but that may not be due to the drug at all, but rather issues of acessability, etc.
I've been on and off nicotine gum so many times, but I wouldn't even begin to say that I could compare that to heroin withdrawl. Nicotine withdrawl was not hard for me at all.
That being said, I found it did have antidepressant properties. It also reduced my anxiety tremendously. After chewing it, it felt like I just took a valium. I felt very heavy, and sedated, and just wanted to sit down and relax.
Nicotine supposedly works as a 5-ht1a agonist like buspar.
There is some issue about nicotine potentially affecting the heart (angiogenesis). While other consituents in tobacco are much more toxic, I'd like to know the full extent of nicotine's safety.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:686441
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060909/msgs/686482.html