Well, if the choice is between “[being] unable to proceed with common everyday activities due to weakness, memory lapses, pain, dyspnea and other unspecific physical complaints” and addicted to a substance that itself has mild side effects, I suspect many would choose the addiction.

Remember, nicotine!=tobacco

for some reason, people see addictive substances as extra bad if there are positive benefits to be had. nobody whinges as hard about a night out drinking though.

Which is why vaping helps people quit when you can dose modify your intake. https://www.cochrane.org/CD010216/TOBACCO_can-electronic-cig...

Nicotine is a fascinating topic. I do wonder if, in the context of massive obesity prevalent in America, society would be better off with nicotine addiction.

Could it be analogous to how caffeine addiction in our history kick started the knowledge work revolution?

„In contrast to the well-known addictive potential linked to the chronic inhalation of nicotine, none of the trials could show a nicotine dependency after the withdrawal of transcutaneous nicotine application at the end of the investigations“

As a former smoker, who used patches and gum and such to quit, this doesn't seem surprising. The nicotine patch is far less satisfying than cigarettes. Cigarettes come on strong, immediately, and that feeling is amazing.

Patches are a slow release and the effect comes on very gradually.

There's no cue/craving/response/reward feedback with patches(Tiny Habits helped me quit too if anyones trying).

If I get irritated and have a cigarette, there is immediate relief and satisfaction. I can't immediately put on a patch and get that. Probably takes thirty minutes to really come on.

Not saying there is no addictive potential, but they are off by an order of magnitude or two.

>Nicotine is highly addictive.

So are a lot of medications, I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. Can you elaborate on why you thought it was important to comment?

So's coffee. If SBUX treated long covid, that's a net win.