Nicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping | Huberman Lab Podcast #90

In this episode, I explain how nicotine impacts the brain and body, including its potent ability to enhance attention, focus, and alertness, increase blood pressure and metabolism and reduce appetite. I discuss nicotine’s ability to increase the action of neurochemicals, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine and activate sympathetic (alertness-promoting) neural circuits. I also discuss common nicotine delivery methods, such as cigarettes, vaping, dip, and snuff, and how they each create their own unique experience and how they, but not nicotine itself, cause cancer and other adverse health effects. I also explain science-based tools to permanently quit smoking cigarettes or vaping, including peer-reviewed clinical hypnosis tools, antidepressants, and alternative nicotine replacement (patches, lozenges, gums etc.). As nicotine is one of the most widely used substances with billions of users — most of whom report wanting to quit — this episode ought to be of interest to former/current nicotine users, those who want to quit smoking or vaping and/or those interested in learning the biology behind how nicotine impacts the brain and body. #HubermanLab #Science #Health Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): Thesis: InsideTracker: ROKA: Supplements from Momentous Social & Website Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: TikTok: @hubermanlab LinkedIn: Website: Newsletter: Articles Predictors of smoking abstinence following a single-session restructuring intervention with self-hypnosis: Effect of hypnotic suggestion on cognition and craving in smokers: Pharmacological Approach to Smoking Cessation: An Updated Review for Daily Clinical Practice: Resources Reveri: Timestamps 00:00:00 Nicotine 00:02:47 Momentous Supplements 00:03:41 Tool: Brief Daily Meditation & Focus 00:05:59 The Arrow Model of Focus, Alpha GPC & Garlic Supplements 00:10:43 Thesis, InsideTracker, ROKA 00:14:35 Nicotine Effects vs. Methods of Delivery, Acetylcholine 00:19:55 Where is Nicotine Found? Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors 00:25:12 Nicotine & Effects on the Brain: Appetite, Dopamine & GABA 00:30:58 AG1 (Athletic Greens) 00:32:11 Nicotine, Acetylcholine & Attentional “Spotlighting” 00:37:29 Nicotine, Norepinephrine & Alertness/Energy 00:41:10 Nicotine & Effects on Appetite & Metabolism 00:46:47 Nicotine & Effects on Body: Sympathetic Tone 00:51:29 Nicotine & Cognitive Work vs. Physical Performance 00:55:08 Nicotine Delivery Methods & Side Effects, Young People & Dependency 00:58:35 Smoking, Vaping, Dipping & Snuffing: Carcinogens & Endothelial Cells 01:02:34 Smoking, Vaping, Dipping & Snuffing: Negative Impacts on Lifespan & Health 01:09:23 How to Quit Smoking, Nicotine Cravings & Withdrawal 01:13:56 Vaping & Nicotine, Rates of Effect Onset, Dopamine, Addiction & Depression 01:25:06 Tool: Quitting Smoking & Clinical Hypnosis, Reveri 01:30:16 Bupropion (Wellbutrin) & Quitting Smoking 01:36:24 Tool: A Nicotine Replacement Schedule to Quit Smoking, Nicotine Patch/Gum 01:41:52 Tool: Biological Homeostasis & Nicotine Withdrawal, The “First Week” Strategy 01:51:39 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Neural Network Newsletter, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook The Huberman Lab Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions. Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac -