Guest guest Posted August 4, 2012 Report Share Posted August 4, 2012 Nicotine has a lot of negative effects, including addiction from what I understand. There is some question whether it causes cancer. I would think that an SSRI would be better for a person to be healthy than nicotine all around. Nicotine? My son (25 years) has anxiety and a form of OCD called Body Dysmorphic Disorder (he imagines he looks horrible to people - even though he is nice looking - kind of like anorexoria). He doesn't share a lot of medical information with me these days, but I did find out he is taking a low dose of nicotine along with a low dose of a SSNRI. It has really helped him. I did find some information on the web that Nicotine has been shown to be effective for anxiety and OCD in small group studies, but is a new therapy and not fully studied. I was thinking of trying it for my younger son who is 16 (you can get it behind the counter at drug stores). He is currently doing very well with both a SSRI and an excellent therapist. As an aside, the right therapist makes a huge difference (someone specifically trained and good at OCD ERP therapy). I chewed some Nicotine gum to try it and it does make me feel calmer although a little nauseous. From what I read, you have to be careful not to take too much as it can have bad side effects - such as increased anxiety (its weird that way). It has the added benefit of suppressing appetite which might help with his increased appetite from his SSRI. It also has been shown to help with ADHD which he has a mild case of. It does not have most of the bad effects of tobacco, nor is it addictive in its pure form. My hope is to eventually reduce his SSRI as he is getting better control of his OCD and replace with nicotine.I was thinking - my grandfather and uncles self medicated their anxiety with chain smoking and alcohol. Has anyone tried nicotine for their kids? Just wondering....any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2012 Report Share Posted August 5, 2012 Hmmm..I can't find the original post on this topic at all, just Jordana's reply.... Anyway, if your son is doing well now, I don't know that I'd change anything. But perhaps letting him try a patch or the gum one day or two, just to see if he notices any positives. I would think he'd notice any benefits, whether with OCD or ADHD, the first or 2nd day. As you said, have to be careful with the nicotine too, dosage and all. I don't think the nicotine would help with OCD any, perhaps just with ADHD or anxiety. Just quick thoughts, but will be interested to hear news if you try it. (who smokes!) > > Nicotine has a lot of negative effects, including addiction from what I understand. There is some question whether it causes cancer. I would think that an SSRI would be better for a person to be healthy than nicotine all around. > > > > Nicotine? > > > > > > My son (25 years) has anxiety and a form of OCD called Body Dysmorphic Disorder (he imagines he looks horrible to people - even though he is nice looking - kind of like anorexoria). He doesn't share a lot of medical information with me these days, but I did find out he is taking a low dose of nicotine along with a low dose of a SSNRI. It has really helped him. I did find some information on the web that Nicotine has been shown to be effective for anxiety and OCD in small group studies, but is a new therapy and not fully studied. I was thinking of trying it for my younger son who is 16 (you can get it behind the counter at drug stores). He is currently doing very well with both a SSRI and an excellent therapist. As an aside, the right therapist makes a huge difference (someone specifically trained and good at OCD ERP therapy). I chewed some Nicotine gum to try it and it does make me feel calmer although a little nauseous. From what I read, you have to be careful not to take too much as it can have bad side effects - such as increased anxiety (its weird that way). It has the added benefit of suppressing appetite which might help with his increased appetite from his SSRI. It also has been shown to help with ADHD which he has a mild case of. It does not have most of the bad effects of tobacco, nor is it addictive in its pure form. My hope is to eventually reduce his SSRI as he is getting better control of his OCD and replace with nicotine.I was thinking - my grandfather and uncles self medicated their anxiety with chain smoking and alcohol. Has anyone tried nicotine for their kids? Just wondering....any thoughts? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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