I think this is a class thing coming out in the data. I don't smoke but nicotine itself helps people think clearer, sharper, it's a great thing
What other lifestyle factors involving the smoking demographic are you referencing?
Also smoking has a lot of non-nicotine garbage and poison.
I wonder if there's something about the effects on the brain over time that makes cognitive function worse over time, even if it's helpful in the short-term.
It's also possible people are self-medicating.
If you tested cognitive function on people who have been prescribed to adderall their entire lives vs. people who had not, you might find lower cognitive function in the group with ADD.. but that could also be due to the tests favouring neurotypical people.
Purest, "healthiest" method of consumption I found. Not sure if I'd call it a great thing though. It's still addictive, and no matter what anyone says, I'm pretty sure nicotine is a mild poison. Would advise anyone to stay clear of the substance, unless you're already an addict and currently smoking/vaping/snusing, then it's a great alternative.
There is no evidence that I am aware of that supports it otherwise improving cognition, but for many people anxiolytics will behave like nootropics (and indeed are sometimes listed as one!)
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/7-com...
It further concludes:
> High doses of nicotine or repeated exposure may also promote anxiety (citing 3 studies)
> low doses of nicotine have a similar effect to decrease anxiety behaviours [...] whereas high doses of nicotine promote anxiety behaviours
The effects of nicotine as an anxiolytic are well known:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12151749/
Rat studies to find dose limits are a valid case for rat studies.
Obviously the query will bias the results, but I do believe this is true.
But there is a big difference between smoking and nicotine.