Hi all,
I enclose an article
from todays Daily Express newspaper,(uk).
" NICOTINE HAILED AS NEW WONDER DRUG"
Nicotine has new and unexpected benefits as a therapeutic
drug,according to new research. Administered via a patch or in chewing gum, the
chemical hitherto damned as the addictive ingredient in cigarettes can help
conditions ranging from hyperactivity in children to people suffering from
Alzheimers and Parkinsons Disease as well as a rare disorder called Tourettes
Syndrome.
Studies using nicotine patches showed significant
improvement in children with Attention Deficit Disorder, and in another group
with Tourettes- a condition which makes sufferers call out obscenities
involuntarily.
Alzheimers and Parkinsons patients also improved after
treatment with Nicotine patches. Paul Newhouse, of America's Vermont University
which carried out the research, said "I got one letter from a Parkinsons patient
after the trial listing all the ways in which his life had improved, including a
comment from his wife which said " this is great, he's back to his old totally
cool self".
Dr Newhouse said it was known that people who
smoke have a low risk of Parkinsons.
It is believed that Nicotine stimulates the production
of a natural brain chemical called Dopamine, whose lack is implicated in
illnesses such as Parkinson's. Unfortunately Nicotinealso causes significant
side effects, these include nausea and itchy skin where the patch is applied.
Scientists are now looking into synthetic chemicals which mimic the
effects of nicotine without the side effects........"
Anyone heard of, or experienced, any such benefits
??
Nigel 45/12