Nicotine has the potential to prevent brain aging, study suggests

Nicotine is the addictive chemical found in tobacco and e-cigarette liquids. On the surface, the substance might not scream health benefits but a new study suggests it shouldnt be written off just yet; it is possible that nicotine could protect against brain aging. Dr. Ursula Winzer-Serhan, an associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Medicine, and colleagues report their findings in the Journal of Toxicology. Previous animal and human studies have shown that nicotine has possible cognitive benefits; the chemical binds to and activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain, which has been found to reduce neurodegeneration