What is longevity nicotine? Biohackers claim nicotine can actually help you live longer if you take it a certain way

Biohackers chasing the fountain of youth are turning to an unlikely new tool: nicotine.Once demonized for its role in cigarettes, the addictive stimulant is now being recast as a cognitive enhancer with potential anti-aging perks.But don’t go reaching for a pack of smokes just yet.

Longevity fanatics say you’ll only get the perks if you use it the right way — get it wrong, and you could get burned.Here’s everything you need to know.

Nicotine is a naturally occurring chemical found in the tobacco plant, as well as in other members of the nightshade family such as potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers.People usually get nicotine through cigarettes, hookahs, smokeless tobacco or vapes.

It’s also available in gum, patches and lozenges, mainly as a tool to help people quit smoking.Nicotine is highly addictive, especially when delivered quickly through smoking.

Experts say it can be as habit-forming as cocaine, heroin, or amphetamines, and it comes with a host of potential side effects.While it’s what keeps people hooked on tobacco, nicotine itself isn’t the main culprit behind smoking-related diseases.That title belongs to the thousands of other harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke, which over time can cause serious health problems, including fatal lung disease and cancer.Once nicotine enters the body, it’s quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and travels to the brain.

Once there, it mostly acts as a stimulant.It fires up your adrenal glands, releasing adrenaline that spikes your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing.Nicotine also increases levels of dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical, and norepinephrine, which sharpens alertness and focus.

Acetylcholine gets a boost too, helping with concentration and thinking clearly.But nicotine isn’t just a buzz.It can also act as a depressant, slowing your brain and central nervous system.After the initial rush, it can calm you down and ease stress — which is part of why smokers often re...