I'm curious about alcohol and tobacco usage as well. Tobacco usage in mentally ill has generally been higher. It could simply reflect over all trends in substance choices depending on availability. So many variables unaccounted for.
I've heard it on good authority that schizophrenics find nicotine/tobacco significantly ameliorates their symptoms - it can be a lesser evil for some.
I think it’s an acetylcholine agonist or something like that.
Plus, if you're going to self-medicate by building a psychological addiction, there are worse substances to do it with than nicotine. I know many alcoholics, for example, who picked up tobacco in rehab. It might not be healthy, but it can be a bit less self-destructive to your personal life.
Well, tobacco smoke is full of MAO inhibitors. I would not be surprised if it was daily abuse of tobacco and coffee that were causing mental illness.
I have a disorder that affects perception (fortunately nothing as serious!) and nicotine absolutely helps with sensory gating. I quit smoking last year and my focus has really suffered for it.