As the world fights the coronavirus pandemic and scientists clamber on to find a cure, a new study has emerged linking the habit of smoking to a lower chance of contracting the disease. As ironic as it sounds, the study conducted in France, found that daily smokers have much lower probability of developing symptomatic or severe infection as compared to the general population.
The study claims that nicotine, a substance found in tobacco, may be the saving grace to help provide people with a defense against the coronavirus or at least lessen the effects of the infectious disease. The study that tested 480 patients, taking into account their age and sex, revealed that far fewer smokers appear to have contracted the virus or, if they have, their symptoms are less serious.
However, since the novel coronavirus is a respiratory infection which attacks the lungs, the theory is still in its early stages and remains controversial until further testing and trials are approved.
This is not to encourage people to take on smoking cigarettes as smoking is often fatal and can damage lung’s defense mechanisms and cause other respiratory conditions like lung cancer, asthma and tuberculosis.
While smoking cigarettes has earned its noxious reputation, does the drug inside them- nicotine, really have any health “benefits”? For the sake of science, let’s dabble into the possibilities.
Although nicotine is not officially recommended for purposes other than smoking cessation, there is body of evidence that point to other potential neurological benefits. Studies are underway for nicotine and related compounds as treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ADHD and other conditions. Epidemiological data has long shown that smokers had lower rates of developing Parkinson’s disease. Nicotine has been shown to increase some growth factors in the brain, so it’s possible that it can partially prevent the degeneration that happens in the brain due to Parkinson’s by increasing these growth factors.
It has been observed that nicotine also helps with brain function and can help people with cognitive decline. Some studies have found using transdermal nicotine patches over several months showed significant improvements in attention, memory, and ratings of cognitive impairment. Furthermore, years of research has also uncovered more “benefits” of nicotine like helping with depression and improving Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The topic of smoking and use of nicotine and its health benefits is not the easiest conversation. The negative effects of smoking have long threads of studies that have been confirmed a hundred times over by researchers and agencies like the World Health Organization. The information presented here is only based on the findings of the studies mentioned and is in no way trying to associate smoking with any health benefits. The aforementioned studies need more attention before any conclusive statements can be made.
As of for now, the link between smoking and cases of coronavirus can only be speculated given the studies so far are very low on relevant data to suggest that nicotine is of any benefit in management of coronavirus infection.
Until there is more intervention and hard research conducted, It is difficult to see the silver lining.
