I got myself addicted to nicotine gum and I never even smoked. To the point that I was constantly using it. Going through maybe 10-15 2mg gums per day. I used patches and regular non-nicotine gum to quit but I still have the urge, especially when I have difficulty focusing at work, because it does actually seem to help with that.
So, no one knows with complete confidence the long-term effects of nicotine alone (i.e., nicotine when taken without all the carcinogens in cigarettes associated with combustion that are not found in nicotine gum). But the evidence we do have suggests it's vastly safer than cigarettes. In fact, I don't even think we know if it's harmful on net.
Yeah, I'm not overly worried about it, I've read the gwern page before. I wouldn't have tried the gum if I thought it was nearly as bad as cigarettes.
I stopped because I found out my blood pressure was pretty close to hypertension range already, and I didn't have the discipline to control the addiction and only use it sparingly; my use ramped up until I was using it most of my waking time, which felt gross. Chewing gum all the time is kind of a gross habit, and using it that much gave me unpleasant GI effects, like coffee but worse.
I'm mildly addicted to caffeine but I have no trouble respecting self-imposed rules like not drinking coffee after 1pm, I found nicotine much more difficult to resist.
I lost like 7% body fat and been doing more cardio since then, my BP should be better now (haven't actually checked), I'm not totally against trying again but I'd use patches not gum, it seems more difficult to abuse.
Interesting. Nicotine is generally an appetite suppressant, so I'd have thought the weight would go in the other direction. Glad it's working out for you.
