Nicotine's Role as an Appetite Suppressant: Investigating Research Findings
In the pursuit of weight loss, some may turn to nicotine as an appetite suppressant. However, a closer look at the long-term health effects of nicotine use beyond weight loss reveals a different story.
While it is true that nicotine suppresses appetite by stimulating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain and increasing metabolism, its continued use poses risks beyond simple weight control.
One of the key long-term health effects of nicotine use is addiction and dependence. Nicotine is highly addictive, hijacking the brain's reward system, which can cause physical and psychological dependence.
Long-term nicotine exposure also alters brain circuits involved in attention, memory, decision-making, and impulse control. This can lead to chronic problems with memory, concentration, learning, increased anxiety, stress, depression symptoms, and difficulty regulating emotions, especially in young people or those exposed prenatally.
Nicotine's impact on the cardiovascular system is another concern. By stimulating the sympathetic nervous system, nicotine increases heart rate and thermogenesis, which, over time, can raise risks for hypertension, heart disease, and other vascular issues.
Regular nicotine use is also associated with gastrointestinal and oral effects like nausea, fatigue, headaches, mouth lesions, and gastrointestinal discomfort. These can impair daily functioning and potentially lead to chronic health issues.
Tolerance and diminishing returns are additional risks. Nicotine’s appetite-suppressing effects wane over time as tolerance builds, reducing its effectiveness and possibly encouraging increased intake to achieve the same effect, which can worsen adverse outcomes.
Moreover, continued nicotine use can exacerbate anxiety and depression symptoms and impair emotional regulation.
It is important to note that tobacco products contain other toxic chemicals that can cause many negative health effects, including cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A 2022 research review found that smoking decreases weight, with the principal constituent of smoking that affects body weight being nicotine. However, the risks of smoking outweigh using nicotine as a tool to manage weight.
In conclusion, chronic nicotine use for appetite suppression carries risks including addiction, brain function impairments, cardiovascular strain, gastrointestinal symptoms, and worsened mental health, making it an unsafe method for long-term appetite control beyond weight loss.
Instead, for those seeking to lose weight safely, adopting a nutrient-rich eating pattern, improving sleep health, managing stress, losing weight gradually and steadily, doing regular physical activities, and talking with a doctor about medications that may make it harder to lose weight are recommended strategies. A doctor can also evaluate a person's weight and health risks and advise them on ways to manage their weight and health conditions they have.
Sources:
- American Lung Association. (2021). Health Effects of Nicotine. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/tobacco/quit-smoking/resources-tools/health-effects-of-nicotine.html
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). Nicotine: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nicotine
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). Nicotine addiction. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nicotine-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20376222
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2014). The Health Consequences of Smoking: 50 Years of Progress. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/50th-anniversary/index.htm
- National Cancer Institute. (2021). Smokeless Tobacco: Health Effects. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/smokeless-tobacco-fact-sheet
- The long-term health effects of nicotine use go beyond simple weight control, as its continued use leads to addiction and dependence, altering brain functions, causing cardiovascular strain, and worsening mental health.
- Regular nicotine use impairs brain circuits involved in attention, memory, decision-making, and impulse control, potentially leading to chronic problems with memory, concentration, and emotional regulation.
- In the cardiovascular system, nicotine increases heart rate and thermogenesis, raising risks for hypertension, heart disease, and other vascular issues.
- Additionally, regular nicotine use is associated with gastrointestinal and oral effects, like nausea, fatigue, headaches, mouth lesions, and gastrointestinal discomfort, which can impair daily functioning and potentially lead to chronic health issues.
- Tolerance and diminishing returns are additional risks, as the appetite-suppressing effects wane over time, encouraging increased intake and worsening adverse outcomes. Instead, a nutrient-rich eating pattern, physical activities, stress management, and doctor consultations are safe strategies for weight loss.
