[h=1]The Low Down on Nicotine and Memory[/h]
As pioneers on the forefront of one of the biggest advancements in Health since the dawn of penicillin and the discovery of coffee, we vapers are well aware of the fact that it has been revealed through numerous studies that nicotine, by itself (sans the inclusion of all those nasty carcinogens generally associated with smoking tobacco) is not only harmless but may actually increase ones mental acuity. This is a fact that has been circulating around the e-cigarette-enthusiast community for quite some time now. However, if youre like me, when pressed in civil debate by the proverbial haters, you might be hard-pressed to come up with specific data to support the claim. This article is being written to alleviate that problem and to add to our arsenal of scientifically-proven information available for immediate regurgitation when put in a position of having to defend e-cigarette technology. And even if you rarely find yourselves engaged in apologetics with members of the opposing side, this is still fascinating information that will solidify your decision to be a member of the vaping subculture.
The key to understanding just how nicotine helps brain activity, memorization, and learning is the recent discovery of OLM-alpha2 cells, known in laymans terms as gatekeeper cells (I like to picture them with Sigourney Weavers face). The job of these cells is to connect to the principle cells of the hippocampus region of the brain, and to prioritize local (within the hippocampus) and long-distance (from elsewhere in the brain) circuit/thought information. Nicotine molecules activate these gatekeeper cells, thereby enabling faster and more thorough reception of circuit input. The method used to study this is called optogenetics, a relatively new field involving the stimulation of selected nerve cells with light. This controlled light affects the brain similarly to nicotine, but obviously we cant all walk around with light sources wired into our brains (at least until the Borg invade Earth). Studies are still being done to determine exactly what types of memory and learned knowledge can be activated and streamlined through this process. Originally, the ultimate goal of these studies was to attempt to activate these gatekeeper cells artificially, without the use of nicotine because, at the time of the beginning of this particular division of neuroscience, nicotine was pretty much only available through unhealthy tobacco use. Now, however, with the onset of the electronic cigarette industry, it is becoming possible to deliver nicotine, and only nicotine, to the brain without ingestion of unwanted, harmful chemicals from tobacco smoke.... (Click here to read the rest of my article.)
