According to Asprey, nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in your brain, which influence acetylcholine, dopamine and norepinephrine — “neurotransmitters you need for focus, memory and learning”, he says. “Some studies even show it can improve your brain’s ability to form new connections and stay sharp because it strengthens the connections between brain cells — a process called long-term potentiation — which is key for learning and memory. Nicotine also increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF, which is like Miracle-Gro for your brain.”
