<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful AI assistant.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
What does nicotine do to your body? Is it harmful?<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance found in tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes. When consumed, nicotine affects various systems in the body, causing both short-term and long-term effects. Some of these effects are:

1. Central nervous system: Nicotine acts as a stimulant, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. It also leads to the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, which contribute to the pleasurable and rewarding sensations associated with smoking.

2. Cardiovascular system: Nicotine constricts blood vessels, which can raise blood pressure and heart rate. This can increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

3. Respiratory system: Smoking products containing nicotine can lead to respiratory issues, such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer. E-cigarettes, while potentially less harmful than traditional cigarettes, are not risk-free and can still cause lung damage.

4. Digestive system: Nicotine can contribute to gastrointestinal issues, such as acid reflux and peptic ulcers.

5. Reproductive system: Nicotine can adversely affect fertility in both men and women. It can also lead to complications during pregnancy, such as premature birth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

6. Immune system: Nicotine can impair the immune system's ability to fight infections, making it easier for diseases and illnesses to take hold.

7. Oral health: Smoking can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss, as well as oral cancers.

8. Skin: Nicotine can cause premature aging, wrinkles, and a yellowing of the skin due to reduced blood flow.

While some people use nicotine as a temporary performance enhancer or stress reliever, the long-term effects can be quite harmful. The addictive nature of nicotine makes it challenging to quit, and many people struggle with withdrawal symptoms, including irritability, anxiety, depression, and weight gain. It is essential to remember that the most significant harm comes from smoking combustible tobacco products, but using any form of nicotine carries risks. Quitting or avoiding nicotine altogether is the best way to minimize these risks.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
I asked about the drug nicotine and your answer conflated harms of tobacco and smoking. I want to know how harmful the drug is in isolation. Nicotine is not only present in tobacco, it can be absorbed through patches without the other chemicals associated with smoking (or chewing tobacco), and it is also present in small amounts in foods like eggplant/aubergine. I understand that smoking and tobacco products are harmful and cause cancer, but I wanted to know specifically about how harmful nicotine was.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant
Sorry for the confusion.

Nicotine has many negative health effects. It is highly addictive and can lead to cardiovascular issues such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, and constricted blood vessels. It can also affect the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, increased bowel movements, and nausea. Neurologically, nicotine can cause headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, and mood changes. It can increase metabolism, suppress appetite, and negatively impact reproductive health. Nicotine can promote the development of cancer, harm oral health, suppress the immune system, and exacerbate mental health disorders. In high doses, nicotine can be toxic, leading to nicotine poisoning with severe symptoms and potentially fatal outcomes.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
From my understanding, the effects of nicotine in isolation aren't well studied enough for you to give such definitive long term affects. These long term effects are studied with smoking.  So it still appears to me that you are conflating the effects of smoking and nicotine together in your extended version of those two paragraphs.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant
You're correct in that there are not enough studies for nicotine that aren't linked to smoking. Nicotine side effects depend on the route of administration, for example vaping may cause sore throat, coughing and headache among other symptoms.

Nicotine is toxic and can kill humans, but the exact toxicity (LD50) it is not clear. The current agreement is around 60mg for a person or 0.8 mg/kg, but there are countless cases of people surviving much higher doses, such as 3 grams. The usual amounts of nicotine consumed by vaping or other methods to replace tobacco is very low in comparison and it is very difficult to accidentally get nicotine intoxication.

However, nicotine is very addictive (although in tobacco, a handful of other alkaloids are responsible of part of its addiction). Even when consumed in isolation it can cause mood disorders, and permanent lowering of impulse control. Nicotine also changes the way synapses are formed, which can harm the parts of the brain that control attention and learning.<|im_end|>