The weight loss effects of nicotine have been a topic of considerable interest and debate, primarily due to nicotine's known appetite-suppressing properties. Historically, many smokers have reported reduced appetite as a side effect of smoking, leading to the perception of nicotine as a potential tool for weight management.[1] This belief was particularly prevalent during the mid-20th century when smoking was widespread and often glamorized. Scientific studies in the latter half of the 20th century began to explore nicotine's impact on metabolic rates and feeding behaviors, suggesting that nicotine could indeed influence body weight through various neurobiological mechanisms.[2][3]

Nicotine's influence on weight loss is mediated through several mechanisms, including the modulation of neuronal circuits in the brain that regulate food intake and energy expenditure.[4][5] It is also known to enhance metabolic rates and alter gut microbiota, contributing to its weight loss effects.[6][7] However, while nicotine can temporarily suppress appetite and increase metabolism, the significant health risks associated with nicotine consumption, particularly through smoking, far outweigh any potential benefits. Nicotine is highly addictive and poses numerous health risks, including cardiovascular disease and potential toxicity, making its use as a weight loss strategy highly controversial and problematic.[8][9]

Research into the relationship between nicotine and weight loss has produced mixed results. Animal studies suggest that nicotine can reduce appetite and alter weight gain, but human studies emphasize the health risks associated with nicotine use.[10] Moreover, the potential for nicotine dependency, especially among adolescents using nicotine vaping as a weight management tool, raises significant public health concerns.[11] Ethical issues are also present, as promoting nicotine for weight loss could inadvertently encourage harmful behaviors and dependencies.[12]

As public health strategies continue to evolve, emphasis is placed on safer, evidence-based alternatives for weight management. These include pharmacological options like GLP-1 receptor agonists and personalized nutrition and behavioral interventions, which focus on sustainable and healthy lifestyle changes without the adverse health effects associated with nicotine use.[13][14] The ongoing dialogue around nicotine and weight management underscores the importance of understanding both the physiological and social dimensions of smoking and weight loss.

The use of nicotine for weight control has a history that dates back several decades. Originally, the relationship between nicotine and weight management was primarily anecdotal, with many smokers reporting appetite suppression as a side effect of smoking. This led to the perception that smoking could be an effective tool for weight loss or maintenance, particularly among young people who may have been concerned about body image and weight control[1]. The social context of smoking during the mid-20th century further propagated these beliefs, as tobacco use was prevalent and often glamorized.

Scientific interest in nicotine's effects on weight began to grow in the latter half of the 20th century. Early studies explored nicotine's potential to reduce appetite and alter metabolic rates, leading to weight loss[1][2]. Research indicated that nicotine impacts various neurobiological mechanisms, which in turn regulate feeding behaviors and energy expenditure[2]. These findings were supported by animal studies, which showed that nicotine administration could result in reduced body weight gain, independent of food intake[3].

Over the years, the focus of research expanded to understand the underlying physiological and neurobiological pathways through which nicotine exerts its effects on weight. Investigations revealed that nicotine influences several bodily systems, including the nerve systems and peripheral hormones, which are involved in regulating energy balance and metabolism[2]. As more data accumulated, the conversation around nicotine and weight management became more nuanced, considering both the potential benefits for weight control and the adverse health effects associated with smoking.

This historical context has laid the groundwork for contemporary studies on nicotine and weight, including efforts to develop smoking cessation treatments that address concerns about post-cessation weight gain[15]. The evolving understanding of nicotine's impact on weight continues to inform public health approaches to smoking and weight management.

Nicotine's influence on weight loss is mediated through several mechanisms involving neural, metabolic, and microbiota pathways. One primary mechanism is nicotine's ability to suppress appetite by modulating neuronal circuits in the brain, particularly through the activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that regulate food intake and body weight[4][5]. Nicotine stimulates pathways in the hypothalamus, notably involving AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), which plays a crucial role in balancing energy and may contribute to reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure[16][2].

Moreover, nicotine enhances metabolic rate, leading to increased energy expenditure. This is evidenced by an acute increase in metabolism that reduces metabolic efficiency and promotes weight loss[17][18]. The action of nicotine extends to the peripheral systems, influencing the excitability of neurons in the lateral hypothalamus and modulating GABAergic transmission, thereby affecting feeding behavior[4].

Additionally, nicotine's impact on weight is partly mediated by alterations in gut microbiota composition. Nicotine exposure is associated with changes in specific gut bacteria, such as Lactobacillus spp., which are linked to host metabolism and body weight regulation[6][7]. The metabolite KetoB, sensitive to nicotine, is suggested to play a role in these changes, contributing to the modulation of host metabolic homeostasis and weight control[19].

Together, these mechanisms indicate that nicotine can act as both a central and peripheral regulator of energy balance, leading to its weight loss effects[2][20]. Further research continues to unravel the complexities of these interactions and their potential implications for therapeutic strategies targeting obesity[5][21].

Research on the effects of nicotine on weight loss has produced mixed results, with both animal and human studies contributing to the understanding of this relationship. Animal models have been used to replicate human nicotine intake, attempting to isolate its effects on appetite and weight gain. While these studies can mimic certain phenomena observed in smokers, they often fall short in replicating the long-term weight changes observed after smoking cessation[10].

In terms of human behavior, emerging evidence suggests a connection between weight concerns and nicotine vaping, particularly among adolescents. A study investigated the association between attempting to lose weight and nicotine vaping during adolescence. The research aimed to identify when this association emerges, its strength, and whether there are sex differences in this link[22][23]. However, the health risks of nicotine consumption, especially through smoking, overshadow its potential weight loss benefits[8].

Nicotine has been shown to have some short-term effects on reducing appetite and slightly increasing metabolism, particularly by affecting the resting metabolic rate (RMR)[24]. Despite these findings, the consensus remains that nicotine is not a viable or safe method for weight loss due to its significant health risks[8].

Additionally, the effects of nicotine on hormones related to weight are not well-understood. Observed changes in circulating hormone levels suggest that nicotine may influence metabolism, but these effects remain to be comprehensively explained[25]. Consequently, individuals are advised against relying on nicotine as a weight loss strategy and are encouraged to pursue healthy lifestyle choices instead[24].

The psychological and social factors associated with nicotine use play a significant role in its effects on weight loss. Research has indicated that nicotine ingestion can enhance social functioning, leading to increased self-reported friendliness, extroversion, and composure around others compared to abstinence or low nicotine doses[26]. This improvement in social interaction might indirectly affect eating behaviors and weight management by promoting social settings where food consumption is altered.

Moreover, the social environment and peer interactions significantly influence nicotine use, which can impact dietary habits and, consequently, body weight. Studies have highlighted the role of social interactions in the acquisition and maintenance of smoking behaviors, often mediated by relationships among family members and peers[27]. These social dynamics can either hinder or facilitate efforts to quit smoking, influencing weight loss outcomes in smokers attempting to stop[28].

On a psychological level, the variability in individual responses to nicotine's effects on weight loss could be attributed to behavioral and psychological factors[13]. While nicotine may reduce appetite and increase metabolic rates, the individual's psychological makeup and social contexts can mediate these effects, leading to diverse outcomes in weight loss.

Thus, understanding the interplay between social factors and nicotine use is crucial in addressing weight management in smokers. As smokers are more likely to associate with other smokers, quitting smoking might necessitate changes in social networks, potentially affecting weight loss efforts due to shifts in social eating habits[28]. This highlights the importance of integrating social considerations into personalized nutrition and smoking cessation programs to improve weight loss outcomes.

Nicotine has been considered an appetite suppressant and is sometimes used as a weight loss method, particularly through products like nicotine pouches. However, this approach carries significant health risks and ethical concerns, especially when compared to other weight loss methods[9]. Nicotine pouches have gained popularity on social media as a low-cost alternative to more expensive weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic. This trend, often referred to as "O-Zyn-pic," highlights nicotine's role as an appetite suppressant[9].

Despite its appetite-suppressing effects, nicotine use for weight loss is controversial and potentially harmful. Medical experts caution against this trend, noting that while nicotine replacement therapies, such as gums and lozenges, may have fewer negative effects than traditional smoking, they still pose concerns, particularly for individuals with cardiovascular disease[29]. Furthermore, the use of nicotine for weight management raises ethical issues, especially when considering the potential for harm and the low efficacy of weight loss through nicotine compared to other lifestyle changes[30].

In contrast, weight loss drugs like GLP-1 medications (e.g., Ozempic and Wegovy) are designed specifically for managing weight and are subjected to rigorous clinical testing to ensure efficacy and safety. These pharmacological interventions are part of a broader field of personalized or precision nutrition, which also considers behavioral and psychological factors in achieving effective weight management[13]. Unlike nicotine, these weight loss drugs are intended to offer metabolic benefits with a more favorable risk profile.

Despite its reputation as an appetite suppressant, nicotine poses significant health risks. It is highly addictive and toxic, particularly to developing fetuses, making it a health danger for pregnant women[31]. Acute nicotine exposure can also be toxic, with reports of poisoning in children and adults who have swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed vaping liquid[31].

The inhalation of nicotine through smoking is linked to several chronic diseases, including heart disease and stroke[32]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemical components, many of which are harmful to human health[32]. Exposure to secondhand smoke further increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer[32].

Additionally, while nicotine replacement therapies like gum and lozenges may offer fewer negative effects compared to traditional cigarette smoking, they still pose concerns, especially for individuals with cardiovascular disease[29]. Furthermore, nicotine has been shown to increase levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and potentiate the effects of certain medications, such as haloperidol in patients with Tourette's syndrome[33][34].

Moreover, nicotine can contribute to oxidative stress, although there is some evidence suggesting that certain substances like vitamin C may have preventive effects against this oxidative stress[33][34]. Nevertheless, the health risks associated with nicotine use far outweigh any potential benefits, making its role in weight management highly controversial and problematic[9].

The promotion of nicotine as a weight loss tool raises several ethical concerns and public health implications. While nicotine has been shown to reduce appetite and slightly increase metabolism, the health risks associated with nicotine consumption, particularly through smoking, are substantial and far outweigh any potential weight loss benefits[8]. The ethics of promoting weight loss through nicotine are questionable, as the focus on risk reduction can inadvertently endorse the use of a substance known to cause significant harm[12].

Moreover, nicotine replacement therapies, such as gum and lozenges, while less harmful than traditional smoking, still pose risks, especially for individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions[29]. The use of nicotine for weight management is not a viable or safe strategy and could potentially lead individuals to develop or continue nicotine dependencies, exacerbating public health issues related to tobacco use[8].

From a public health perspective, there is a concern about the increasing prevalence of nicotine vaping among adolescents, partially driven by weight concerns. This trend poses a risk of introducing a new generation to nicotine addiction under the guise of weight management[11]. Public health strategies must address these misconceptions and emphasize the dangers of using nicotine as a weight loss aid while providing safer, evidence-based alternatives for weight management[11].

Social factors also play a significant role in tobacco use and cessation efforts. Smokers often find themselves in social networks where smoking is prevalent, complicating attempts to quit and increasing the risk of relapse[28]. This interplay between social dynamics and smoking behaviors underscores the need for comprehensive public health approaches that consider both the social and physiological aspects of nicotine addiction[28].

Nicotine is often mentioned as an appetite suppressant and has been noted to have short-term effects on reducing hunger and slightly increasing metabolism[8][1]. However, these potential benefits are overshadowed by the significant health risks associated with nicotine consumption, particularly through smoking[8][9]. With the rising concern over these health risks, particularly in cardiovascular health[29], it is essential to explore safer and more effective alternatives for weight management.