this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2025
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[–] Jiggle_Physics 89 points 2 weeks ago (32 children)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/does-nicotine-affect-muscle-growth

There is data to show nicotine might have a performance increasing effects on people. However, the idea is more that you ingest a safe amount via methods that are not smoking/chewing.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (25 children)

Nicotine itself is hardly worse than say caffeine. But obviously the negative effects of burning and inhaling a cigarette (with all that it contains), especially the carcinogenic agents, is absolutely stupid to think it's an even trade to pump your workout

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (6 children)

Oh, nicotine is way worse. It may not harm your health directly, but addictiveness is exponentially worse.

Wikipedia: Caffeine - Dependence and Withdrawal: Moderately physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms may occur upon abstinence, with greater than 100 mg caffeine per day, although these symptoms last no longer than a day

Wikipedia: Nicotine withdrawal: Symptoms are usually strongest for the first few days and then dissipate over 2–4 weeks (...) In a minority of smokers, cravings may persist for years.

Edit: Left out the "Caffeine" in "Caffeine - Dependance and Withdrawal"

Edit to add: Caffeine withdrawal causes you to be annoyed for a day. Nicotine causes real, actual cravings (you know you need nicotine, whereas for caffeine you're just generally "moody" - most people don't feel "i need caffeine, now", and even if you do, chances are, if you run out of coffee and can't get it within less than a day, the "craving" just stops).

For some, many of whom I know, quitting nicotine is downright impossible due to the cravings. For quitting, toning down is key. Those that quit either relapse momentarily in times of stress (usually for about a week or so), or complain of very strong cravings every few weeks/months.

Additionally, nicotine isn't the only addictive compound in cigarettes, and from what I've heard, vaping, gum, etc. just isn't it for some - people also get addicted to cigatettes themselves.

Not to mention, vaping causes pneumothorax and all the other alternatives cause some harm as well, although much less than cigarettes proper.

[–] piconaut 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I've smoked cigars occasionally, maybe as many as 2-3 per week for 2 weeks in a row and then just stopped with no signs of addiction. Nicotine is often described as one of the most addictive drugs and I sometimes wonder if I just never took enough to get addicted in the first place or my experience is a result of lower than average susceptibility to nicotine addiction.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Probably both. They're not mutually exclusive

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