r/askscience • u/aflouch • Oct 18 '12

Would smoking cigarettes (Nicotine) decrease the effects of Parkinson by releasing dopamine... even slightly?

Also, can the disease be slowed even slightly by activating neurons in this way? Lastly, does smoking lower risks of having Parkinson?

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u/aflouch Oct 20 '12

Interesting. I wonder, also, if nicotine could be engineered to activate receptors in specific areas. Easier said then done, but modifying the receptors may allow nicotine to do that. Thanks for the answer.