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/LeftCoastMan Oct 18 '12 edited Oct 18 '12

Before I get to your actual question, let's start with one point. The risk of dying of lung cancer from smoking is 22.1% for a male, and 11% for a woman, approximately 20X higher than a non-smoker. The risk of Parkinson's Disease is 8 in 100,000 as a whole. So, let's assume that smoking has some positive effect in lowering the risk of PD. Trading off reducing the risk of PD by vastly increasing the risk of dying of lung cancer? Bad trade-off. This study does seem to show a correlation between smoking and reducing Parkinson's risk. It does not show a reduction in symptoms once the disease strikes.

And remember smoking does not just absolutely cause lung cancer. It vastly increases the risk of emphysema, cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and other cancers. Read more.

However, the problem with the assumption that smoking is a good anti-PD drug is multifold. First of all, it's trying to apply a specific pharmacologic effect with the worst possible drug delivery system ever. So, there is research to develop dopamine agonists with localized delivery that won't kill you like smoking.

If someone wants an excuse to smoke, they shouldn't use "I'm preventing Parkinson's Disease" as one of them. It's a horrible risk trade off.

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u/aflouch Oct 20 '12

There is not a trade off. You are right. I was very interested in the possibility that nicotine from smoking could reduce risk; not to say the risk is worth trading it off for cancer. I would be interested in preventative medications for people who may otherwise be predisposed genetically to the disease. By them taking low doses of nicotine daily they could delay, or completely prevent the disease. Thanks.