Some people are turning to nicotine gum and patches to treat long COVID brain fog
Some people with long COVID are turning to an unlikely remedy: nicotine gum and patches. Though typically used to quit smoking, nicotine is now being explored as a possible way to ease symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue.
One such case, detailed in a recent article in Slate, describes a woman who found significant relief from debilitating brain fog after trying low-dose nicotine gum. Her experience, while anecdotal, aligns with findings from a small but interesting study from Germany.
The study involved four participants suffering from symptoms related to long COVID. The researcher administered low-dose nicotine patches once daily and noticed marked improvements in the participants' symptoms. Tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath and trouble with exercise rapidly improved – by day six at the latest.
For those who had lost their sense of taste or smell, it took longer, but these senses came back fully within 16 days. Although it's not possible to draw definitive conclusions on cause and effect from such a small study, the results could pave the way for larger studies.
Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.
While some people slowly recover from COVID, others remain unwell for years, especially those who became sick before vaccines were available. Between 3% and 5% of people continue to experience symptoms months, and sometimes even years, after the initial infection. In the UK, long COVID affects around 2.8% of the population.
Brain fog and other neurological symptoms of long COVID are thought to result from a combination of factors – including inflammation, reduced oxygen to the brain, vascular damage and disruption to the blood-brain barrier. Research continues as there is still a lot we don't know about this condition.
The researcher in the German study thinks that long COVID symptoms, such as fatigue, brain fog and mood changes, might partly be due to problems with a brain chemical called acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. This chemical is important for many functions in the body, including memory, attention and regulating mood.
Normally, acetylcholine works by attaching to special 'docking sites' on cells called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which help send signals in the brain and nervous system. But the COVID virus may interfere with these receptors, either by blocking them or disrupting how they work. When this happens, the brain may not be able to send signals properly, which could contribute to the mental and physical symptoms seen in long COVID.
So why would nicotine potentially be useful? Nicotine binds to the same receptors and might help restore normal signalling, but the idea that it displaces the virus directly is still speculative.
Nicotine is available in different forms, such as patches, gum, lozenges and sprays. Using nicotine through the skin, for example, with a patch, keeps the amount in the blood steady without big spikes. Because of this, people in the study didn't seem to develop a dependence on it.
Chewing nicotine gum or using a lozenge can cause spikes in nicotine levels, since the nicotine is absorbed gradually through the lining of the mouth. But unlike a patch, which delivers a steady dose, the user has more control over how much nicotine they take in when using gum or lozenges.
There are mixed results on the effectiveness of nicotine on cognitive functions such as memory and concentration. But most studies agree that it can enhance attention. Larger studies are needed to gauge the effectiveness of nicotine specifically for long COVID symptoms.
Despite its benefits, nicotine is not without risks. Even in gum or patch form, it can cause side-effects like nausea, dizziness, increased heart rate and higher blood pressure.
Some of these stimulant effects on heart rate may be useful for people with long COVID symptoms such as exercise intolerance. But this needs to be closely monitored. Long-term use may also affect heart health. For non-smokers, the risk of developing a nicotine dependency is a serious concern.
So are there any options to treat long COVID symptoms?
There are some studies looking at guanfacine in combination with N-acetylcysteine, which have shown improvement in brain fog in small groups of people. There has been at least one clinical trial exploring nicotine for mild cognitive impairment in older adults, though not in the context of long COVID. Given that anecdotal reports and small studies continue to draw attention, it is likely that targeted trials are in development.
The main recommendations by experts are to implement lifestyle measures. Slowly increasing exercise, having a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol, drugs and smoking, sleeping enough, practising mindfulness and doing things that stimulate the brain are all thought to help brain fog.
For those grappling with long COVID or persistent brain fog, the idea of using nicotine patches or gum might be tempting. But experts caution against self-medicating with nicotine. The lack of standardised dosing and the potential for addiction and unknown long-term effects make it a risky experiment.
While nicotine isn't a cure and may carry real risks, its potential to ease long COVID symptoms warrants careful study. For now, those battling brain fog should approach it with caution – and always under medical supervision. What's clear, though, is the urgent need for more research into safe, effective treatments for the lingering effects of COVID.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Dipa Kamdar does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
34 minutes ago
- Forbes
Physician Perspectives On Prior Authorization Reform
Many physicians believe prior authorization gets in the way of sound patient care. New reforms from ... More the insurance industry aim to address these challenges. Will they make a difference? You learn a lot in medical school. About human biology, medical ethics and how to make a diagnosis. One thing they don't teach you about—but which rears its head all the time in the actual practice of medicine—is prior authorization. Prior authorization is what is known in healthcare as a utilization management tool. Physicians submit requests to insurers, who respond with determinations about whether they will cover the proposed procedures, services, or medications before the patient receives them. The goal is to steer customers toward modalities of care that have been demonstrated to produce the best outcomes at a reasonable cost. During office hours, between procedures, even in the middle of consults—prior authorization is something physicians have to deal with constantly. Last week, amid scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators as well as public outrage over the practice, health insurers working with the trade association AHIP (on whose board I sit as CEO of SCAN Health Plan, a not-for-profit health insurance company) announced a set of voluntary commitments aimed at simplifying prior authorization and 'connecting patients more quickly to the care they need while minimizing administrative burdens on providers.' The commitments include faster turnaround times, greater transparency, and reduced requirements for routinely approved services. These reforms are sensible and—let's be honest—probably overdue. But will they make a difference? 'Administrative Hurdles' Despite its daily impact on the practice of medicine, prior authorization isn't something physicians talk about very much. So, in order to gauge how prior authorization affects their work and their patients and what effect the voluntary reforms might have, I reached out to several colleagues in different specialties to hear their stories about prior authorization. What I heard were honest reflections on their experience with the practice—and an urgent call to reimagine a system that too often gets in the way of care. Jay Patel, an orthopedic surgeon in Orange County, CA, specializing in hip and knee replacements, describes a system that increasingly delays care for no clear reason by putting up 'administrative hurdles to surgeries that are appropriate.' Patel notes that some payers require that he submits imaging reports in separate documents that duplicate the information contained in previously submitted medical records. 'Most of the time there's some minor piece of information they need that's already in the record, and they reflexively approve it.' But not always. And when delays occur, he says, they disrupt care and diminish trust between patients and their doctors. 'Patients often don't understand how the process works,' he says. 'They usually think we dropped the ball because we're the person they can get ahold of.' Patel believes the system could be improved by reducing prior authorization requirements for physicians who consistently provide appropriate care. 'Good actors should be able to request surgery and have it approved.''Delays Matter' A Northern California interventional cardiologist I know sees firsthand how delays in care can lead to worse outcomes. 'For every test, you have to wait a week for authorization,' he says. 'And when it comes to cardiac conditions, delays matter.' He laments that the delays can push patients to seek emergency care when they experience shortness of breath or other symptoms. 'Put yourself in their shoes. When your heart hurts you may be afraid you will die.' He says that some of his patients have decided to go to the emergency room rather than wait for approvals. In these cases, the patients are admitted and treated as inpatients, which he notes is ultimately more expensive for the plan, the patient and the health system in general. The cardiologist also notes that in his field, denials are rare. Though he often has to pick up the phone to advocate for a patient, he says that in 11 years of practice, not once has a health plan denied a procedure that he's called about. Knowing this, he wonders if artificial intelligence or other technologies could offer ways to improve the system. 'There must be ways to optimize this. If they're authorizing the procedure 99% of the time, why can't there be instant authorization?' Internist Jonathan Dinh says insurers often use prior authorization as a 'delay tactic.' He says that in his experience, some payers intentionally make the practice burdensome, knowing that some percentage of physicians will become frustrated and give up on the time-consuming prior authorization process. 'If there's a poor clinical outcome, the health plan maintains plausible deniability. They'll say, 'We never said 'no.' We left the decision strictly up to our providers.'' As an internist and medical group leader in Southern California, Dinh believes that the efficiency of prior authorization reflects the quality of the organization itself. 'In a well-run group, 80% to 90% of requests should be auto approved,' he explains. "The primary function of prior authorization should be to ensure patients are referred to the correct in-network provider, helping them avoid unnecessary medical bills—not to act as a barrier to care." Dinh says delegated models in which payors assign certain administrative and clinical responsibilities—like utilization management, care coordination, and prior authorization decisions—to a provider organization or medical group can reduce the friction of prior authorization. However, he cautions that this model alone isn't enough. "Delegated entities can still improperly delay or deny care. There must be safeguards—such as expedited appeal processes—to protect patients.' Dinh also says that patients often mistakenly blame delays in seeing a specialist due to the prior authorization process when the real underlying issue is a shortage of physicians. "People often blame delays in seeing a specialist on the prior authorization process,' he says. 'But in many cases, referrals are issued promptly—the real bottleneck is a shortage of physicians. Specialists are overwhelmed and simply don't have the capacity to see patients quickly. Of course, any delay in prior authorization only makes the situation worse.' To address the broader issue of physician shortages, Dinh and his colleagues launched a new internal medicine residency program focusing on training more primary care internists. The initiative aims to expand access to care and improve outcomes, particularly in underserved communities. 'A well-trained internist can help offset the shortage of specialists by managing complex conditions at a high level. The true value of a primary care physician emerges when a patient's care requires coordination across multiple specialties. The ability to lead multidisciplinary care while keeping the patient and their family informed is what ultimately drives the best clinical outcomes and enhances patient satisfaction.' A Starting Point When a draft of AHIP's plan initially crossed my desk, I was skeptical. Voluntary reform isn't something that necessarily has a great track record in healthcare. And yet more than 50 plans (including my own) that provide coverage to tens of millions of Americans have signed on and made a public commitment to reform. After speaking to my physician colleagues and hearing their earnest frustrations, there's no doubt in my mind that the system needs reform and the association's proposals—which are not insubstantial and would address many of the problems —are a great place to start. After all, none of the physicians I spoke to are asking for a blank check. They're asking for a system that trusts their judgment, respects their time, and puts patients first. Reforming prior authorization isn't just about efficiency. It's about dignity—restoring it to the people who give care, and the people who need it—and AHIP's plan, acknowledging some of the challenges my physician colleagues face every day, is a meaningful step in the right direction.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Nurses' union calls for accountability, investigation after shocking AG report
The Registered Nurses' Union of Newfoundland and Labrador is calling for accountability and further investigation, after a shocking auditor general's report found the province's health authority overspent millions on private agency nurses and instances of possible fraud. "We would like to see the Office of Procurement investigate what could be fraudulent activity," union president Yvette Coffey said. "This is the people of Newfoundland and Labrador's money. This is taxpayer money." Coffey said she wasn't exactly surprised by what was found in the audit, but was shocked to learn about the lack of oversight and mismanagement of finances. She said the amount of money spent is "mind blowing." According to the report, NLHS spent $241 million on agency nurses since 2022, which equals roughly $400,000 for each individual agency nurse. That amount of money per agency nurse could have equaled four full-time nurses, Coffey said, adding that there are still almost 400 registered nurse and nurse practitioner vacancies. "Our members are being nickel and dimed on the ground every day about overtime, premiums [and] about time off," she said. Meanwhile, Coffey said, there is a growing demand for nurses across the province, especially due to the aging population. She said many people don't have access to primary health care, and that rural areas in particular are strapped for health-care services. WATCH | Nurses' union president says members are angry about AG report findings: Coffey said the province could have used the money to offer incentives to nurses to work in rural areas or to work in more primary health-care roles. "That would be a heck of a lot cheaper than paying $400,000 a year to a private agency nurse," she said. Additionally, she said the health authority is still opening beds without posting positions, which is a safety issue for staff and patients. In February, NLHS CEO Pat Parfrey said the use of agency nurses is down 42 per cent, but Coffey said she isn't believing it. "Every day I'm hearing about more private agency nurses," said Coffey. "We have a Gander Hospital with approximately 30 private agency nurses." She also said that nurses are being turned away from jobs in the province, who then later become agency nurses and end up working in the units they originally applied for. In the meantime, Coffey said there are still more contracts for the auditor general to look into. "The whole system needs to be investigated. Procurement needs to investigate to see if there was fraudulent activity and people do need to be held to account." Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
Medical Supplierz Expands Online Access to Surgical and Diagnostic Equipment
'We're building a digital gateway for global healthcare, empowering suppliers to scale faster and giving providers seamless access to advanced surgical and diagnostic solutions.' — Bader Alajeel, CEO of Medical Supplierz KUWAIT, KUWAIT, June 30, 2025 / / -- Medical Supplierz has expanded its digital marketplace to streamline the purchase of diagnostic and surgical equipment for healthcare providers globally. This initiative addresses the growing need for efficient and transparent procurement in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, where timely access to quality equipment is critical for operational success and patient care. The platform provides hospitals, clinics, and procurement agencies with centralized access to a wide range of verified diagnostic and surgical tools—from imaging devices and laboratory analyzers to surgical kits and operating room instruments. By enabling direct interaction between buyers and global suppliers, Medical Supplierz removes the dependency on intermediaries and reduces delays commonly associated with international sourcing. Buyers on the platform can browse categorized listings, review technical specifications, and initiate transactions through a secure, user-friendly interface. The system is designed with compliance in mind, allowing users to verify certifications, access product documentation, and ensure adherence to local import standards. These features are particularly valuable for institutions seeking to maintain regulatory integrity while sourcing from diverse markets. In addition to improving access for buyers, the platform empowers suppliers by offering a streamlined way to reach verified healthcare procurement teams across multiple countries. This is especially beneficial for manufacturers aiming to enter or grow in markets where establishing physical sales networks is challenging. Medical Supplierz provides these suppliers with digital visibility and the tools needed to manage inquiries and monitor demand across different regions. The platform has seen growing interest from medical institutions in regions such as the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa—areas that are actively expanding their healthcare infrastructure and investing in diagnostic and surgical technologies. As demand rises, the platform's role in connecting trusted suppliers with capable buyers becomes increasingly important for global healthcare delivery. About Medical Supplierz: Medical Supplierz is a global B2B marketplace designed specifically for the healthcare industry. It connects manufacturers and distributors of medical equipment with verified institutional buyers, offering a secure and scalable digital procurement solution. The platform supports the exchange of a wide range of medical products, including diagnostics, surgical tools, and hospital equipment. Homod Falah Alshemmri Medical Supplierz +965 9408 9218 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
