Key Takeaway
Meta-analysis confirms nicotine significantly improves attention, memory, and motor performance, with effects seen in both smokers and non-smokers.
Summary
This comprehensive meta-analysis examined 41 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on nicotine's acute cognitive effects. The analysis found significant positive effects on fine motor performance, alerting attention, orienting attention, short-term episodic memory, and working memory.
Importantly, these effects were observed in both smokers and non-smokers, suggesting the cognitive benefits are not simply reversing withdrawal symptoms. Effect sizes were moderate, consistent across studies, and most pronounced for attention and memory tasks.
This study provides the strongest evidence that nicotine genuinely enhances cognitive performance independent of addiction relief.
Methods
- Meta-analysis of 41 double-blind RCTs
- Included smokers and non-smokers
- Standardized effect size calculations
- Multiple cognitive domains assessed
Key Results
- Significant improvement in fine motor performance
- Enhanced alerting and orienting attention
- Improved short-term episodic memory
- Better working memory performance
- Effects seen in non-smokers (not just withdrawal reversal)
Limitations
- Most studies used acute single doses
- Long-term cognitive effects less studied
- Optimal dose for non-smokers not established
- Publication bias possible