I'm hearing about it alot right now. But then I'm getting ready to quit in 5 days. This statement just tells me tha smoking is 'good' for my PD and that gives me permission to continue. Well...DUH!!!!...NOT!!!
For those of us who are addicted to nicotine, this is very dangerous information. hugz, SG

As I said, nobody is suggesting we all start smoking. You're right, SG, smoking is NOT recommended for anyone for any reason. As I understand it, the monkeys in the study were given the nicotine in Gatorade (Yuk! as if Gatorade wasn't bad enough!), and if there turns out to be any benefit for humans, they're talking about a nicotine patch or something like that. Of course, that's a long way off anyway. Yes, nicotine is a very dangerous and addictive drug, and I would have to see some very convincing data on it before I would use it for anything. Of course, all PD medications are serious drugs and shouldn't be taken lightly either.

Your point is well taken, though, SG. A LITTLE information can be a dangerous thing!

I was recently diagnosed with early Parkinson's. I'm 58 years old and smoked for more than 40 years before I quit on March 17th - hoping for help from the luck of the irish :) My daughter introduced me to the electronic 'cigarette'. There is no tobacco or combustion, a vapor is produced by an atomizer in the tip. It feels and looks like you are smoking but in actuality you are 'vaping'. I did not experience cravings and it was very easy to make the switch. I haven't wanted a cigarette since I quit. Now the interesting part: When I started I used cartomizers that contained liquid nicotine in a level that matched what I previously smoked. Soon I mixed my own liquids to slowly reduce the amount of nicotine to 0. I continued vaping with food flavorings added to the glycerine. About two months ago I started experiencing a severe tremor in my right hand. Other symptoms which I subsequently learned are classic to PD soon followed. After the neurologist made the diagnosis of PD I started researching and found the studies referenced re: nicotine. The problem has been trying to find a 'safe' delivery system for nicotine.

I put the nicotine back into my vaping mix and the tremor has drastically reduced. My balance has significantly improved and the brain fog has lifted. The neurologist has started me on Mirapex to address the remaining symptoms and asked me to stop the nicotine...not a chance! For me, vaping IS the safe delivery system for nicotine. And the pacifying aspect of the electronic cigarette is great in those moments of stress...

Interesting...anyone try some alternate smoking therapy...like marijuana?

C

One can always chew nicotine gum or lozenges or the electronic cigarette, no need to start smoking, there are alternative nicotine substitutes. I am a member of the smoking addiction group and we are all trying to quit with these substitutes which are a healthy alternative. Good Luck I hope the nicotine subs work for you.

THE BENEFITS OF SMOKING?.
NONE, MOST PEOPLE WOULD SAY, MYSELF INCLUDED.
I STOPPED SMOKING NEARLY TWO YEAR AGO, EXPERIENCING A DRAMATIC RISE IN BRADYKINESIA, WHICH IS FAR WORSE THAN DYSKINESIA, LET ME TELL YOU.
OUT OF DESPAIR AND DESPERATION I TRIED NICOTINE PATCHES AND CHEWING GUM, WITH POSITIVE RESULTS.
THIS GOES AGAINST CONVENTIONAL WISDOM I KNOW, CRAZY INDEED.
IT IS A FUNNY OLD WORLD.

Hi, I stopped smoking about 10 to 15 years ago and by far was one of the hardest things I have faced. It me 3 concerted efforts to finally quit, and totally without the help of gum or patches etc... but with shear willpower and the want of really wanting to quit this awful habit. I had smoked for nearly 20 years, though not a heavy smoker but bad enough to realise that it wasn't doing me any good whatsoever.
I had been diagnosed with PD 2 years or so before I saw sense to quit once and forall, now I can't stand the slightest whiff of second hand smoke, it really makes me feel really unwell... especially with the PD to contend with too.
I think it's total BULLONY, BULLS--T to say smoking of anything benefits illnessess like PD... Some people are so gullible, they're taken in by this rubbish... so... they say "Smoke this or smoke that, wether it's legal or not..... but it'll make you feel better!"... that maybe the case in the short term, but with prolonged use can lead to a whole wrath of fatal illnessess like lung cancer,lung disease,heart disease, blood poisioning... & many more.

SMOKING IS FOR SUCKERS!! ... FULL STOP...

Yours Dirk !!;O))

Dirk,

It is the combustion of tobacco (smoke) and the additives, many of which have proven carcinogenic, that are the killers. In sharp contrast the e-cigarette has no combustion. It would more accurately be called a personal vaporizer.

An atomiser is incorporated into a cartridge which holds three liquid components: vegatable gylcerine, flavorings and nicotine (each independently approved by the FDA for other uses).

I don't recommend smoking to anyone; this, VAPING is a safe delivery system for nicotine and more effective than the patch or the gum. It makes a great pacifier as well :) If everything is going to hell around me, I can vape on my e-cig and de-stress within minutes.

The studies are ongoing re: the patch and nicorette gum. I sincerely hope someone is looking at the efficacy of the3e-cig as well.