Key Topics & Timestamps
- 00:11 – What biohacking really means
- 02:07 – Women’s increased Alzheimer’s risk
03:18 – Nicotine vs. smoking: separating myth from science
04:19 – How nicotine may support brain health
06:25 – My personal experience with nicotine and addiction
08:42 – Tobacco as a sacred and medicinal plant
09:12 – Low-dose nicotine and mitochondrial health
11:19 – The dangers of overusing nicotine
12:30 – Brain fog, menopause, and neuroprotection
13:39 – Dave Asprey’s “brain stack” for cognition
20:08 – Vitamin D, minerals, and hormonal health
22:03 – Omega-3 depletion in women and mothers
26:18 – Consciousness, trauma, and healing
31:19 – The role of friendship, forgiveness, and oxytocin
34:02 – PTSD, trauma recovery, and emotional resilience
41:48 – Longevity, biohacking, and optimizing human potential
I Take Nicotine Every Day — Here’s Why
For years, nicotine carried a stigma so strong that most people never stopped to ask an important question:
What if nicotine itself isn’t the real villain?
As a physician, I’ve spent decades helping women navigate hormonal shifts, brain fog, inflammation, trauma recovery, and longevity. And one thing I’ve learned is that we often oversimplify complex health conversations. We lump compounds together without separating their delivery systems, mechanisms, risks, and benefits.
That’s exactly what happened with nicotine.
In a recent conversation with my longtime friend and biohacking pioneer Dave Asprey, we explored one of the most controversial topics I’ve ever discussed publicly: why I experimented with nicotine, what happened when I did, and what the science is beginning to reveal about low-dose nicotine and cognitive health.
Let me be absolutely clear upfront:
I am not advocating smoking.
Smoking is harmful. Vaping carries risks. Tobacco products are not healthy foods.
But the conversation around pharmaceutical-grade, low-dose nicotine is far more nuanced than most people realize.
And if you struggle with menopause-related brain fog, chronic fatigue, cognitive decline, or neuroinflammation, this is a discussion worth having.
The Brain Fog Crisis Women Aren’t Talking About Enough
Women are disproportionately affected by cognitive decline.
We make up nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients, and many women begin noticing subtle changes in memory, focus, word recall, and processing speed during perimenopause and menopause.
I hear it every day from patients:
“I walk into rooms and forget why.”
“I can’t focus like I used to.”
“I feel mentally slow.”
“My brain just doesn’t feel sharp anymore.”
Brain fog isn’t imaginary. It’s physiological.
Hormonal changes, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, sleep disruption, stress, insulin resistance, toxic mold exposure, long COVID, nutrient deficiencies, and chronic cortisol elevation all contribute.
That’s why I’m always searching for tools that can support neuroprotection and cognitive resilience.
And surprisingly, nicotine entered that conversation.
Nicotine Is Not the Same Thing as Smoking
One of the most important distinctions Dave emphasized is this:
Nicotine and smoking are not the same thing.
Cigarettes contain thousands of compounds—many of them toxic and carcinogenic. Nicotine is only one component.
This distinction matters because much of the research surrounding neuroprotection focuses specifically on nicotine itself—not combustible tobacco.
According to Dave, researchers have explored nicotine’s role in cognitive performance and neurodegenerative disease since the 1980s. Some observational studies noted lower rates of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease among smokers, prompting scientists to investigate nicotine’s neurological effects more closely.
Again, this does not mean smoking is healthy.
But it does raise interesting scientific questions.
My Experience with Nicotine
I’ll be honest: I was skeptical.
I had never been a smoker. I understood nicotine’s addictive reputation and avoided it most of my life.
But as I explored the emerging science around low-dose nicotine and cognition, I became curious enough to experiment carefully.
Initially, I used a nicotine spray only occasionally:
during conferences,
long writing sessions,
or periods of intense mental focus.
And I noticed something immediately.
The mental clarity was profound.
The brain fog lifted quickly. My focus sharpened. Energy improved. Cognition felt cleaner and faster.
That experience helped me understand why nicotine has such a strong addictive potential. The effect can feel incredibly reinforcing.
Over time, however, I also learned the other side of the story:
Tolerance builds.
What starts as occasional use can become habitual very quickly.
That’s why this conversation must include both the potential benefits and the very real risks.
The Science Behind Low-Dose Nicotine
One of the reasons nicotine has gained attention in the biohacking and neuroscience world is because of its interaction with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain.
These receptors influence:
attention,
alertness,
memory,
learning,
mood,
and cognitive processing.
Dave explained that at very low doses—typically around 1–5 mg daily—nicotine may offer:
neuroprotective effects,
enhanced focus,
reduced brain fog,
appetite suppression,
and mitochondrial support.
He also discussed research exploring nicotine’s possible role in:
Alzheimer’s prevention,
Parkinson’s disease,
chronic fatigue,
mold-related cognitive dysfunction,
and long COVID.
This is still an evolving field of research, but it’s an important one.
The Problem Is Dosage
Here’s where things become critical.
Low-dose nicotine and high-dose nicotine are not the same experience.
According to Dave, once people escalate into higher doses, the risks increase significantly:
addiction,
vascular constriction,
elevated blood pressure,
hair thinning,
dependence,
and impaired circulation.
And I experienced firsthand how easy it is to build tolerance.
That’s why I eventually stopped cold turkey.
Honestly, withdrawal was difficult. Brain fog intensified temporarily, and I gained even greater respect for nicotine’s addictive potential.
This is not something to experiment with casually or recklessly.
Could Nicotine Help Menopause Brain Fog?
Potentially—but cautiously.
What fascinated me most was how quickly nicotine improved cognitive clarity during periods of low blood pressure and fatigue.
Many women in perimenopause experience:
hypotension,
dizziness,
low energy,
poor concentration,
and mental fatigue.
For some people, nicotine’s stimulatory effects may temporarily improve those symptoms.
But nicotine is never the foundation of brain health.
It’s one possible tool within a much larger strategy.
And for many women, there are safer first-line interventions to explore before considering nicotine.
The Bigger Picture: The “Brain Stack”
One of the most valuable parts of my conversation with Dave was that he emphasized nicotine is only one small piece of a broader neuroprotective strategy.
He shared what he often recommends for cognitive support and early dementia prevention:
1. Creatine
Creatine isn’t just for bodybuilders.
The brain requires enormous amounts of energy, and creatine helps support cellular ATP production and mitochondrial function.
Dave suggested that higher doses—10–15 grams daily—may be more beneficial for cognitive support than the standard 5-gram fitness recommendation.
He also recommended dissolving creatine in hot liquid, like coffee, for better absorption.
2. Coffee
Coffee itself contains numerous bioactive compounds associated with cognitive support and longevity.
Of course, quality matters tremendously. Mold-free, mineral-rich coffee can support energy and mitochondrial function without some of the inflammatory downsides associated with poor-quality coffee.
3. Electrolytes
This was a huge point.
Many people—especially older adults and menopausal women—are under-mineralized and dehydrated at the cellular level despite drinking plenty of water.
Sodium, potassium, and magnesium play critical roles in:
hydration,
blood pressure regulation,
nerve conduction,
cognition,
and energy production.
4. Ketones
The brain thrives on metabolic flexibility.
Ketones provide an alternative fuel source for the brain and may support cognition when glucose metabolism becomes impaired.
This becomes especially relevant in neurodegenerative disease.
Hormones Matter More Than We Think
As women, we cannot separate brain health from hormone health.
Progesterone, pregnenolone, testosterone, estrogen, DHA, vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids all influence cognition.
And motherhood itself can deplete nutrient reserves dramatically.
Dave and I discussed how women often become profoundly deficient in:
omega-3s,
minerals,
vitamin D,
and mitochondrial nutrients after pregnancy and during menopause.
That depletion affects:
mood,
energy,
metabolism,
hormones,
and cognitive function.
This is why foundational health matters first.
Before chasing advanced biohacks, we must optimize:
sleep,
minerals,
hormones,
blood sugar,
inflammation,
gut health,
and mitochondrial function.
Trauma, Stress, and the Brain
One of the most powerful parts of our conversation had nothing to do with nicotine at all.
It was about trauma.
Dave spoke deeply about how unresolved trauma shapes the nervous system, mitochondria, intuition, relationships, and overall health.
As someone who has worked with thousands of women, I see this constantly.
Chronic stress changes physiology.
PTSD changes physiology.
Betrayal, grief, burnout, toxic relationships, and unresolved emotional pain all affect:
cortisol,
inflammation,
sleep,
hormone balance,
and brain health.
You cannot fully heal the brain while ignoring the nervous system.
That’s why forgiveness, community, oxytocin, intimacy, and emotional safety are not “soft” concepts.
They are biological medicine.
The Connection Between Longevity and Consciousness
One of the themes Dave explores in his book Heavily Meditated is that longevity isn’t simply about living longer.
It’s about expanding consciousness, improving energy, and freeing ourselves from fear-based survival patterns.
That perspective deeply resonated with me.
True health is not just the absence of disease.
It’s:
emotional resilience,
cognitive clarity,
meaningful relationships,
spiritual peace,
vitality,
and purpose.
Biohacking without emotional healing becomes incomplete.
And emotional healing without physical optimization can leave us exhausted.
We need both.
So… Would I Recommend Nicotine?
Here’s my honest perspective after this experience:
Low-dose nicotine may have legitimate therapeutic potential for certain individuals under the right circumstances.
But it is not benign.
It is addictive.
And it should never replace foundational lifestyle medicine.
If someone is dealing with severe cognitive decline, mold-related brain fog, long COVID, or neurodegenerative risk, this may become a worthwhile discussion with a knowledgeable practitioner.
But for the average person looking for a quick cognitive boost, there are many safer and more sustainable interventions to explore first.
The bigger lesson here is this:
We must be willing to challenge outdated narratives while also respecting biological reality.
That’s where true healing happens.
Final Thoughts
This conversation stretched far beyond nicotine.
We discussed:
menopause,
mitochondria,
trauma,
intuition,
forgiveness,
neuroplasticity,
longevity,
and human potential.
And that’s what I loved most about it.
Because ultimately, the goal isn’t simply to avoid disease.
The goal is to become more alive.
More vibrant.
More connected.
More resilient.
More conscious.
More loving.
If this conversation sparked your curiosity, I highly encourage you to listen to the full podcast episode. It’s one of the most thought-provoking discussions I’ve had in a long time—and whether you agree with every point or not, it opens the door to important conversations about brain health, aging, and the future of medicine.
Listen on: YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify
Q&A
Is nicotine good for brain fog?
Low-dose nicotine may temporarily improve focus and cognitive clarity for some individuals, particularly those struggling with neuroinflammation or fatigue. However, it also carries addiction risks and should be approached cautiously.
Is nicotine the same as smoking?
No. Smoking involves thousands of harmful compounds. Nicotine is only one component of tobacco. That said, nicotine itself is still addictive and not risk-free.
Can nicotine help prevent Alzheimer’s disease?
Some research suggests nicotine may have neuroprotective effects, but evidence is still evolving. It should not be considered a proven prevention strategy.
What dose of nicotine is considered “low dose”?
In the podcast discussion, Dave Asprey referenced approximately 1–5 mg daily as a low dose range.
What are safer ways to support cognitive health?
Foundational strategies include:
optimizing hormones,
improving sleep,
reducing inflammation,
strength training,
creatine,
omega-3s,
electrolytes,
stress reduction,
and nervous system healing.
Why are women more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease?
Hormonal shifts, longer lifespan, metabolic factors, and mitochondrial changes all contribute to women’s increased risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Connect with Dave Asprey:
Book: Heavily Meditated: The Fast Path to Remove Your Triggers, Dissolve Stress, and Activate Inner Peace
Check out Dave's products using Dr. Anna's links below:
TrueDark (blue light blocking glasses)
Danger Coffee (mineral-rich performance coffee)
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Disclaimers: The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare professional before starting any supplement program.
