In a research done by scientists from the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London, the findings showed that the increase in concentration felt by smokers could help fight dementia.
Tests on nicotine based treatments are already being done and researchers believe that the tobacco chemical could help delay the onset of Alzheimer's which could give crucial extra time to those who have the disease.
Nicotine found in tobacco, and even in cocoa and tomatoes, acts as a stimulant and increases the body's adrenaline flow.
Experiments done in rodents gave evidence that nicotine based treatments can fuel parts of the brain, thus helping increase concentration and speed up responses.
Lead researcher Professor Ian Stolerman said that nicotine, like other substances, has both harmful and beneficial effects.
Prof Stolerman began his research 10 years ago and did not expect to discover that nicotine could actually help the brain concentrate better. As a matter of fact, his studies would verify that nicotine is more effective than caffeine.
The professor did not deny that people who would undergo therapies using nicotine could possibly be addicted to it. But the possibility of abusing a medicine based on pure nicotine-like substance is very small.
However, he warned that smoking may be a bad idea because cigarettes contain other harmful chemicals.
A spokesman from the Alzheimer's Society said that nicotine may have therapeutic qualities. But if it is absorbed through smoking, the health benefits are outweighed. Smoking could help onset vascular dementia and cause other health risks.
Additional studies are needed in order to eliminate the health risks of nicotine and come up with a safe and effective treatment for dementia using the substance.
