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Comment by elliottkember | Hacker News Reader

I recently saw a tweet about someone who put on a nicotine patch every time he went running and tricked himself into thinking he loved it. He was on his third marathon! https://x.com/WillManidis/status/1728860291457524073

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Wow this is fascinating! I wonder whether the net health impact is positive or negative, I’m tempted to do this myself

It didn’t take long to think of some healthier options, which I’ll share here in case others think the same:

- copy the m&m design (though I don’t like m&m’s)

- do the same thing with beef jerky/trail mix/hummus/steak/treats like that

- do the same thing, but use a good restaurant/coffee shop/board game/friend/TV show/hot tub/other experience

Nicotine is probably healthier than beef jerky or steak.

That seems to me like a remarkable claim — can you share a link that discusses this more?

Nicotine’s fine. The issue with smoking and chewing tobacco is the delivery system, particularly smoking. It’s a shame, because pipe tobacco tastes and smells absolutely divine. I think it’s still worth it, but understand how others disagree.

Actually, yes.

Here's [0] 5000 words by Gwern. I don't know whether I agree with his conclusions, but they're likely to be well researched and objectively thought out.

[0] https://gwern.net/nicotine

"low key" tobacco industry sponsored content right there.

As I understand it, nicotine in and of itself is not particularly harmful. It’s the delivery mechanisms that do all of the harm.

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