Nicotine effects on teh brain

[visiON]

So, whenever I use snus and do things like Sudoku,Solitaire or sth that involves a lot of thinking, I do better on these things.
Does nicotine do something in the brain to make me thinking faster or something?

[texasmade]

have you ever been diagnosed with ADHD?

[visiON]

Nope, never went to the doctor to find out but I've had my doubts

Predominantly inattentive type symptoms may include:[29]

    * Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another
    * Have difficulty focusing on one thing
    * Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless they are doing something enjoyable
    * Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new
    * Have trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities
    * Not seem to listen when spoken to
    * Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly
    * Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others
    * Struggle to follow instructions.

Blatantly ripped from wikipedia

But most, if not all of the symptoms I have.

[Guest]

visiON,

You're not alone.

I've done some of my best work whilst nic'd up. Afterall isn't nic a stimulant?

[visiON]

visiON,

You're not alone.

I've done some of my best work whilst nic'd up. Afterall isn't nic a stimulant?

Heh it is, but now I'm curious, could it be that I have ADHD after all?
I'm worried to go to the doc a bit cause she might put me on some shit called Ritalin..

[Guest]

Probably best to have a chat with your doctor if you're concerned. I'm sure they'd only prescribe if they felt it would be beneficial to you.

[visiON]

The doctor's at least 60 years old, if not more so I can't imagine a scenario where she would accept my 'nicotine treatment', that is if she diagnoses that I have ADHD.
But yeah, 1AM atm so I'll give the doc a call tomorrow and set up a meeting.

However back to the topic, so how does nicotine actually make my brain ughh.. "think faster"?

[Guest]

VisiON,

Try Googling 'nicotine makes you smarter'.......Makes some interesting reading...

[f. bandersnatch]

It's a stimulant, just like cocaine. The only difference with nicotine is that it doesn't cloud your judgment to the degree where you think you amazing mind powers are best utilized having three hour long conversations about KRS one in some dingy basement in Portland.

[midnight]

Nowadays I ALWAYS make sure to have in a pris / portion when doing an activity that requires large amounts of concentration. Maybe it's just the fact that I'm addicted to nicotine that it helps, but regardless, my brain seems much more clear when I'm snusing. Sterks have the same effect, but sometimes extra sterks will give me the jitters. The satisfaction of nicotine makes me forget about other unimportant desires quickly, and allows me to focus on a single task much more easily.

[simon]

I have panic attacks and stuff real bad, without nicotine I freak... Bad.. I quit for 3 months once.. It led to a huge break down, couldn't leave the house.. Started back with the nic, and slowly getting my shit back together, but I was a mess. Been a smoker since I was a kid.. Nicotine has become part of my body chemistry, take it away, and chemical imbalance goes all kinds of wacky.. So yeas, I think, no, I know it effects the brain.. Especially those with anxiety disorder. Why some people can never seem to quit, but others have no problems at all I think..

[deebocools]

I think this may be true for some. It's a mixed bag for me. short term memory is lightning quick on nicotine- but my several-hours-ago memory is pretty foggy. The opposite was true when I was off it. but the subjective experience doesn't tell all...

[LaZeR]

I have panic attacks and stuff real bad, without nicotine I freak... Bad.. I quit for 3 months once.. It led to a huge break down, couldn't leave the house.. Started back with the nic, and slowly getting my shit back together, but I was a mess. Been a smoker since I was a kid.. Nicotine has become part of my body chemistry, take it away, and chemical imbalance goes all kinds of wacky.. So yeas, I think, no, I know it effects the brain.. Especially those with anxiety disorder. Why some people can never seem to quit, but others have no problems at all I think..

+1 Now if only my PMD would realize this. :roll:

[ladysnus]

I have panic attacks and stuff real bad, without nicotine I freak... Bad.. I quit for 3 months once.. It led to a huge break down, couldn't leave the house.. Started back with the nic, and slowly getting my shit back together, but I was a mess. Been a smoker since I was a kid.. Nicotine has become part of my body chemistry, take it away, and chemical imbalance goes all kinds of wacky.. So yeas, I think, no, I know it effects the brain.. Especially those with anxiety disorder. Why some people can never seem to quit, but others have no problems at all I think..

I can relate Simon
anxiety, panic attacks
edited: TMI vent

[ladysnus]

I have panic attacks and stuff real bad, without nicotine I freak... Bad.. I quit for 3 months once.. It led to a huge break down, couldn't leave the house.. Started back with the nic, and slowly getting my shit back together, but I was a mess. Been a smoker since I was a kid.. Nicotine has become part of my body chemistry, take it away, and chemical imbalance goes all kinds of wacky.. So yeas, I think, no, I know it effects the brain.. Especially those with anxiety disorder. Why some people can never seem to quit, but others have no problems at all I think..

+1 Now if only my PMD would realize this. :roll:

Laz, what part is your PMD not realizing?