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London (pte041/15.05.2003/15:44) - In a study conducted by Vienna University's Institute of Social Medicines it has been suggested that nicotine may have the potential to be used therapeutically, Reuters Health reports http://reutershealth.com. The study stresses that safer use of nicotine and other nicotine-based substances should coincide with increased restrictions on smoking.
Professors Ernest Groman and Karl Fagerström, authors of the study, maintain that nicotine does not undermine effectiveness in judgement, cognition or motor behaviour. It may even be responsible for improving performance and helping people to cope with daily stress.
Nicotine and alternative delivery systems that are used by people who try to give up smoking influence the brain neural systems that are thought to be connected to a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders.
The effect of nicotine on the nicotinic acetylcholinergic receptors (nAChRs) in the central nervous system initiates a complex pattern of action on dopaminergic, adrenergic and other transmitter systems, observe the authors. This could result in a positive effect of nicotine on the central nAChRs, meaning that there is "increased control over arousal and negative emotions."
A form of oral snuff, "snus", a less toxic tobacco product, is consumed in Sweden and is considered a "safer" form of nicotine. The country registers about half the average cases of cigarette smoking and lung cancer than the rest of the EU, where snus is banned.
Groman maintains that research done that associates nicotine with cancer has not been convincing, a comment upon which the Austrian Cancer Association refused to comment.
Gorman suggests that snus be allowed in Austria, saying that, "There are nicotine-based chewing substances that contain far more dangerous products that are freely available."
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