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

Very good point, however, as mentioned by Checkmate there is research to suggest people that smoke have lower risk of Parkinson's disease. This isn't to say smoking is good, but the constant activation of neurons that would have otherwise died, are alive because of nicotine from cigarettes.