))
The Emerging Role of Nicotine in the Integrative Treatment of Long COVID
Manage episode 482675499 series 3652666
Content provided by AT and Acupuncture Today. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by AT and Acupuncture Today or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
Emerging as an unconventional yet intriguing approach to the persistent challenges of Long COVID, low-dose nicotine patches are being explored as a potential integrative treatment. The rationale lies in nicotine's ability to compete with SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins at receptor sites, potentially restoring homeostasis. Furthermore, nicotine acts as an agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), triggering the "cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway" which could counter the chronic inflammation observed in Long COVID. Anecdotal reports and a small case series suggest that low doses (3.5-7.5 mg/day) may improve debilitating symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and dyspnea. However, the current evidence base is limited to case reports and patient narratives, as randomized, controlled trials are lacking. While preclinical studies support nicotine's anti-inflammatory properties, potential side effects such as nausea and tachycardia, along with the risk of addiction, necessitate cautious, medically supervised use within an integrative framework that includes foundational treatments like hydration and acupuncture. Nicotine is not viewed as a standalone fix but as a potential adjunct for those unresponsive to standard care, highlighting the ongoing quest for effective solutions to the Long COVID conundrum.
34 episodes
Share
