Nicotine Improves Brain Function In Schizophrenics

An anonymous reader suggests a Cosmos Magazine note that nicotine has been shown to enhance attention and memory in schizophrenics. Research is now aimed at developing new treatments that could relieve symptoms and prevent smoking-related deaths. "A strong link between schizophrenia and smoking — with over three times as many schizophrenics smoking (70 to 90%) as the population at large — prompted scientists to investigate the link. Researchers led by Ruth Barr, a psychiatrist at Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, set out to find if the nicotine in cigarettes was helping patients to overcome their difficulties with cognitive function, such as planning and memory in social and work settings."

Comments

Finally, a reason.

[palegray.net]

I'll simply start telling folks I'm a schizophrenic to justify my pack a day habit.

Would you want to see what happens when I try to quit?

Re:Finally, a reason.

[Talderas]

And you'd live a shorter life.

Re:Finally, a reason.

[Amouth]

Required reference:

Dennis Leary

"I Love these little facts. "Well you know. Smoking takes ten years off your life." Well it's the ten worst years, isn't it folks? It's the ones at the end! It's the wheelchair kidney dialysis fucking years. You can have those years! We don't want 'em, alright!? And I guarantee if I'm still alive, I'll be smoking then. I'll be in my wheelchair, with my adult diapers on and my twenty-five year old non- smoking born again christian son behind me. I'll be going, "Hey! Make sure you wipe this time. I was itching all week for Christ's sake! And get me some more wippets. I'm almost out, you fucking pussy! Come on!"

Re:Finally, a reason.

[WildStreet]

They didn't need to do a study on this. The voices in my head could have told them about this years ago. only reason I'm still employed, I think, maybe.

Re:Finally, a reason.

[Arthur Grumbine]

Would you want to see what happens when I try to quit?

I don't think the voices in your head have a /. account, so how could they answer you?

The Voices Hate Cigarettes

[Ukab the Great]

And all this time I thought that the voice in my head telling me not to smoke was common sense.

Derrrr

[BigBlueOx]

Nicotine sharpens the mind while simultaneously relaxing the muscles. That's why it's so addictive. Duh.

In fact, personally, I blame the lack of smoking by people for the general dumbing-down of everyone and everything including Slashdot. Oh? You doubt me? Ha! Just go read some of the threads on Slashdot from back in the 40s and 50s and compare it to the drivel of today. Notice, in particular, the civility of discourse and the lack of Linux/Apple/Microsoft fanbois. You'll see.

Re:Derrrr

[Anonymous Coward]

No thanks! I don't want to back to the days of Univac, Eniac, and AS400 fanbois! Punch cards rule! And Multics sucks!

I don't believe it.

[Anonymous Coward]

I recently quit smoking, and I haven't had any issues.....and neither have I.

Aha...

[operagost]

Now I know why President Obama smokes!

Re:Typical

[Teresita]

There is research that suggests that nicotine completely rewires the pleasure centers of the brain (to make them dependent on nicotine)

Then again, human ingenuity knows no bounds when it comes to pleasure and nicotine. Look what Clinton and Monica managed to do with that cigar.

Re:Also Helps With...

[allawalla]

I have to say, every now and then, /. surprises me in a good way. People actually give a damn here.

I am sure that is just a side-effect of the nicotine

Re:Yeah, but did they smoke it afterwards?

[Dustie]

And if they did, did he inhale?

I'm pretty sure it was her that 'inhaled' but you never know!