Formula #038: Why I've started smoking cigars (the secret benefits of nicotine they don't want you to know)

Welcome back to another edition of the formula.

In today's issue, you'll learn:

• Quote of the day

• Why I’ve started smoking cigars

• The surprisingly powerful benefits of nicotine on testosterone, weight loss and cortisol

Read time: 4 minutes.

Let's dive in.

Quote of The Day

Why I've started smoking cigars (the secret benefits of nicotine they don’t want you to know)

During my late teens and early 20’s, I was a big social smoker.

I was always more of a cigarette guy. Marlboro Golds or Camel Blues were my favourites.

I dabbled with rolling tobacco and, whilst, it was cheaper, it never gave me the same level of smoking satisfaction (probably because it wasn’t riddled with all the extra crap found in normal cigarettes!)

But, invariably, when I was out socializing with friends or clubbing late at night, once I’d have 3 pints of beer, I was nearly always hit with a craving and my search for a cigarette intensified (rapidly!).

I’m not proud of this.

I recognize social smokers are the worst kinds of people.

Come on.

Stop faffing about.

You either smoke or don’t, right?!

Not me.

I even became that guy who didn’t take “fags” out with me to try and stop.

Then, invariably I’d find myself spending the entire night asking for cigarettes from other people (yeah, I was that guy!).

Here’s me below, when I was 21, caught in the act during a trip to New York City’s famous Highline.

Then, from the age of 24 until now (29), I managed to kick them entirely from my life (hurrah!).

Well, until recently, that’s changed.

But not cigarettes this time.

Cigars.

Why?

Based on my research, it seems like you can get all the benefits from tobacco (mainly orientated around nicotine) without the negative effects from the inhalation of smoke (especially cigarette smoke which is full of other toxic, anti-hormone compounds).

Bold statement I know .. and may I just add, this is not medical advice.

Before I indulge your curiosity in some of the research showing nicotine’s benefits, let’s take a step back and set the scene.

What is nicotine?

As I’m sure many of you already know

Nicotine is the main active compound in tobacco and thus the main active compound in tobacco cigars and cigarettes. Until recently, I was under the impression all types of tobacco-based products were bad.

Many studies seemed to paint a picture of the negative health effects brought on by smoking.

However, what I’ve since discovered is that it’s important to differentiate between smoking tobacco and consumption of nicotine isolated from tobacco.

With the advent of E-Cigarettes, nicotine gum, and nicotine patches, the isolated effects of nicotine are being studied and show many potential benefits.

The first big one?

Nicotine Effects on Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) and Weight Loss

For those that don’t know, RMR is the amount of energy you burn daily - usually using calories as the main proxy.

One human based study I found showed an increase in daily energy expenditure of around 6%.

This was reinforced by a similar study that showed an increase in daily energy expenditure of around 10%.

Not that I think calories are a credible marker of health but technically, this correlates to an extra energy expenditure of around 200kcal per day. 

In other words, this would equal weight loss of around 10kg/22lbs per year if the caloric intake does not increase and remains consistent.

Nicotine has been demonstrated in numerous studies to raise basal metabolic rate and body temperature.

Both are associated with longevity and increased vitality.

Nicotine Effects on Estrogen, Aromatase, and Testosterone

Hang on Simmo, I know Estrogen and Testosterone.

But, I don’t know “Aromatase”?

Aromatase is the enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen. So inhibiting its function has been shown to have therapeutic benefits.

Again it is important to differentiate between cigarettes and isolated nicotine.

Substances called, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are present in cigarette smoke which increase estrogenic activity. These are the same estrogenic compounds found in many plastics. Cigarette smoke also increases carbon monoxide in the body which is estrogenic (bad news!).

However

Nicotine and its metabolite called, cotinine are strong anti-estrogens and aromatase inhibitors (prevent testosterone from converting into estrogen).

Here’s some interesting studies I found to back this up (read the bold print).

Nicotine and Its Effects on Aromatase Inhibition and Lowering Estrogen

Nicotine Blocks Brain Estrogen Synthase (Aromatase): In Vivo Positron Emission Tomography Studies in Female Baboons
"The size of the effect (more than 50% of the maximal inhibition obtained with a blocking dose of vorozole) suggests that nicotine is capable of inhibiting the activity of aromatase in the primate brain."

JCI - Nicotine, cotinine, and anabasine inhibit aromatase in human trophoblast in vitro.
"In choriocarcinoma cell cultures, nicotine, cotinine (a major metabolite of nicotine), and anabasine (a minor component of cigarette tobacco) all inhibited androstenedione conversion to estrogen in a dose-dependent fashion. Removal of nicotine, cotinine, and anabasine from the culture medium resulted in the complete reversal of the inhibition of aromatase."

Potential Contribution of Aromatase Inhibition to the Effects of Nicotine and Related Compounds on the Brain
"Thus, we have shown that nicotine doses producing plasma levels comparable with those found in smokers are capable of a significant but partial (∼50%) inhibition of aromatase."

Smoking, estradiol metabolism and hormone replacement therapy. - PubMed - NCBI
"it has been proven that, depending on the type, duration and intensity of nicotine consumption, smoking can reduce or completely cancel the efficacy of orally administered estrogens."

Nicotine and Testosterone

Here’s a study that showed the effects of smoking on T levels in men.

But what’s interesting is Nicotine’s main mechanism seems more orientated around lowering estrogen (which indirectly helps elevate testosterone).

As opposed to directly raising testosterone by itself.

Evaluation of the effects of cigarette smoking on testosterone levels in adult men.
There are conflicting opinions as to whether or not nicotine raises testosterone. This is probably due to the fact that many studies on nicotine and testosterone levels use cigarettes which have both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic compounds. Most studies demonstrate that smokers have at least normal if not higher levels of testosterone than non-smokers. Nicotine will most certainly lower estrogen and many symptoms of low testosterone are really caused by high estrogen. Therefore nicotine can have a positive effect on people experiencing symptoms of low testosterone.

Nicotine Effects on Cortisol
 
Many studies show similar effects of nicotine on regulating cortisol.

However, chronic use of nicotine has been shown to have an adaptive effect and improves stress biomarkers as evidenced by reduced pituitary activity (an important gland in your brain) and increased thyroid activity.

One study showed cortisol levels after oral administration of nicotine (chewing gum containing nicotine 2 mg) in short and long time (10 and 45 min) was studied in smokers and non smokers.

Non smokers after a short time administration showed a significant rise in cortisol, whereas, the same was not observed in those subjected to nicotine.

Note that only the non-smokers experienced a stress response to acute nicotine and the smokers showed no changes.

This is similar to how acute caffeine in infrequent drinkers creates a stress response but chronic users experience the opposite effect- lowered stress and stress adaptation.

Final Thoughts
Please bear in mind that I am not advocating for the use of tobacco or cigarettes. Again, this is not medical advice.

But, it’s clear nicotine has many potential benefits and is worth experimentation and further research.

High-quality cigars (very little smoke actually gets inhaled) and nicotine patches are probably the safest options for obtaining nicotine.

Since experimenting with cigars over the last month, I’ve definitely noticed a subjective change with regard to increased focus and notable mood elevation.

I’ll refrain from full comment as it’s still early days but the signs so far have been encouraging.

That’s all for this Monday.

If you’re not getting value out of these tips, please consider unsubscribing.

I won’t mind and there are no hard feelings.

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Otherwise, see you again next week - same time, same place.

Your, Simmo.

P.S:

Vichy Catalan is quickly becoming my favourite sparkling water. I add a little bit of sea salt and magnesium chloride which makes it tastes absolutely divine.

Here’s my new Cohiba cigar stash (I guess the warning didn’t put me off then!)