Nicotine patches help relieve symptoms in some people with Long COVID. Can the science behind it lead to future therapies? —The Sick Times

[Chandelier]

Nicotine patches help relieve symptoms in some people with Long COVID. Can the science behind it lead to future therapies? - The Sick Times

Some people with Long COVID and the providers who were treating them wondered if nicotine, delivered by a mechanism other than cigarettes, might help with the chronic disease. For the next several years, white papers used anecdotal evidence to expand on that initial hypothesis.

thesicktimes.org

Short AI Summary:

Nicotine Patches as a Potential Treatment for Long COVID

Nicotine patches are gaining attention as an experimental approach to alleviate Long COVID symptoms. Though originally designed for smoking cessation, these patches have shown promise for some patients experiencing post-viral fatigue, cognitive issues, and sensory loss. Reports from online communities and patient-led initiatives highlight both positive outcomes and adverse reactions, prompting increased scientific interest.

Despite anecdotal success, the exact mechanisms remain unclear. While the early “spike protein displacement” theory offered a simple explanation, newer research suggests a more complex interaction between nicotine and neural receptors. Pharmacologists now believe nicotine’s impact on inflammation and the autonomic nervous system may play a more significant role.

Because Long COVID affects multiple systems, researchers face challenges identifying which subtypes might respond best to nicotine. Patient groups like the Nicotine Test have created detailed dosing protocols, starting with low doses and gradually increasing use. However, experts caution against high doses or alternative nicotine delivery methods, such as vaping.

Ongoing research aims to clarify nicotine’s role and possibly isolate its beneficial effects without associated risks. Until then, nicotine patches remain an off-label, patient-driven option — promising for some, but not without potential drawbacks.

 

[Peter T]

This seems to be a collection of anecdotes and social media opinions. Given potential harmful effects surely it is important that there are proper controlled trials before encouraging widespread use.

 

[Yann04]

Breaking news: A stimulant can mask symptoms in an illness with high rates of fatigue.

Next article: What can cocaine masking symptoms tell us about the illness.

 

[Kitty]

As an ex-smoker, I can confirm they don't make any difference to ME/CFS symptoms. Nor does high-dose nicotine gum, though and I my quit buddies found it much more helpful than patches for smoking cessation.

 

[Spartacus]

Nicotine patches help relieve symptoms in some people with Long COVID. Can the science behind it lead to future therapies? - The Sick Times

Some people with Long COVID and the providers who were treating them wondered if nicotine, delivered by a mechanism other than cigarettes, might help with the chronic disease. For the next several years, white papers used anecdotal evidence to expand on that initial hypothesis.

thesicktimes.org

Short AI Summary:

I have never been a smoker, but have discovered that if I vape small amounts of nicotine, it enables me to have enough cognitive function to do paperwork. I don't vape daily, just when I need to focus on something difficult. Cognitive dysfunction has always been my biggest symptom. For years I was barely able to read. I went from being a high flying solicitor to a village idiot.
Vaping nicotine also enables me to stay upright for longer if I have to go out somewhere.
Nothing else has ever helped my cognitive function at all.
It's supposed to be bad for you, but everything in life is a balancing act.

 

[DHagen]

I have never been a smoker, but have discovered that if I vape small amounts of nicotine, it enables me to have enough cognitive function to do paperwork. I don't vape daily, just when I need to focus on something difficult. Cognitive dysfunction has always been my biggest symptom. For years I was barely able to read. I went from being a high flying solicitor to a village idiot.

A little over a year before I was diagnosed, I quit vaping. At that point, it had been nearly 10 years since I'd swapped cigarettes for vaping, but I remained a fairly heavy nicotine user. Over the course of a year or two, I had noticed that I had a really hard time writing (I was a research oriented professor at the time) if I wasn't vaping, and that was part of my motivation to quit. My cognitive decline began almost immediately - the difference was dramatic enough that I spent a long time trying to figure out how quitting nicotine could have completely broken me.

I think about going back to it a lot.

Interestingly enough, my physical decline, and the onset of the unbeatable insomnia that finally led to my diagnosis, followed immediately after I quit drinking. Trying to get healthy really felt like the worst thing I'd ever done.

 

[Spartacus]

A little over a year before I was diagnosed, I quit vaping. At that point, it had been nearly 10 years since I'd swapped cigarettes for vaping, but I remained a fairly heavy nicotine user. Over the course of a year or two, I had noticed that I had a really hard time writing (I was a research oriented professor at the time) if I wasn't vaping, and that was part of my motivation to quit. My cognitive decline began almost immediately - the difference was dramatic enough that I spent a long time trying to figure out how quitting nicotine could have completely broken me.

I think about going back to it a lot.

Interestingly enough, my physical decline, and the onset of the unbeatable insomnia that finally led to my diagnosis, followed immediately after I quit drinking. Trying to get healthy really felt like the worst thing I'd ever done.

You sound a bit like me. I drink as well. Only one drink a day. Whisky.
I have found that if I stop, after 3 days my cognitive function declines and I have difficulty even getting out of bed.
I come from a long line of very heavy drinkers and smokers who lived healthy lives up to their late 80's. Sonetimes I wonder if I would have been healthier had I lived like them. Instead I did all the things we are supposed to do for good health. Maybe people like you and I are some kind of aberrations who are much healthier if we do every that is supposedly unhealthy!