Lately I've been working on a project that is cognitively challenging on occasion. I am currently on a handful of nootropics that I have found to be useful and that have thus far proven to work well for me.
Unfortunately, one of those nootropics happens to have a bad rap: nicotine.
I've found nicotine to offer the fastest acting and possibly the most effective, at least in the short term, benefits of all the others I've used.
I smoked Camels as a teen (16-19 years of age) and had no issues quitting after a half pack to 1 pack a day habit. I'm not prone to addictive tendencies but I don't want to run into any unforseen problems, either.
For nicotine, I've been vaping an Elf Bar that uses nicotine salts. The unit contains 20ml of nicotine (5%) that dispensing this amount of nicotine over the course of roughly "5000 puffs".
According to Elf Bar, one Bar contains the nicotine equivalent of 48 cigarettes (over the course of 5000 puffs). At this rate, though it doesn't sound right, this Bar should last me years yet only provides 48 cigarettes worth of nicotine? It does feature a USB-C charging port, so necessary if it truly lasts that long.
I find myself using this Elf Bar on work days and have discovered I'm more productive/effective for about 1 hour to 90 minutes on one puff. I usually have between 2 and 4 puffs every day, 4 days of the week. On days off, I have no need for it nor do I have any cravings.
Here's my concern, when I take a puff, I become lightheaded for at least a minute or two after. Though it's not as severe now, the dizziness is still very evident. In the beginning, the sensation of the nicotine kicking in felt identical to about 3 rapid shots of vodka (I was in College once
) for a solid minute, meaning I'd have to be on break lest someone sees me appearing briefly intoxicated.
This dizziness is less pronounce, but still there (akin to 1 or 2 shots of vodka for a minute or two).
Here's the question: When used at the present levels, are there any significant health concerns for use solely as a nootropic for a 46-year-old in good health? For me, it does not encourage coughing and all noticeable effects other than the cognitive benefits fade within a few minutes. I don't believe I am physiologically or psychologically dependant/addicted to it, but I know there is a chance of that developing.
I've been doing this now for around 2 months, but as I intend to continue of possible, I thought it best to ask the wise sages here besides simply researching with Google.
Any experiences, knowledge or warnings your like to share concerning this?
Thanks in advance!