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🎙️ NEW EPISODE — NOVEMBER 7, 2026

Unpacking Nicotine: The Science, Effects, and Risks

What does nicotine actually do to your body? Does it improve athletic performance, or are we simply feeling the effects of a stimulant?

As ultra runners, we're always looking for ways to improve endurance, recovery, fueling, and overall health. But understanding what we put into our bodies is just as important as the miles we run.

In this episode of Running Miles with Heart Disease, we're exploring five surprising scientific discoveries about nicotine, vaping, and how these products affect the body.

🔬 5 THINGS ATHLETES SHOULD UNDERSTAND

1️⃣ Nicotine delivery isn't as simple as the label.
Clinical studies found that products with similar or even lower nicotine amounts can deliver different levels of nicotine into the bloodstream. Formulation, pH, and how the product releases nicotine all matter. The number on the package doesn't tell the whole story.

2️⃣ Nicotine can affect your cardiovascular system.
Nicotine can stimulate the nervous system, increase heart rate, and raise blood pressure. For endurance athletes, understanding these effects is important when considering cardiovascular health and long-distance training.

3️⃣ Vaping isn't just about nicotine.
Research in animal models found that inhaling e-cigarette aerosol caused blood vessels to constrict, even when the aerosol contained no nicotine. Researchers investigated the role of carrier ingredients and other aerosol components. These findings raise important questions, but animal results don't establish the same effects in human runners.

4️⃣ More nicotine doesn't automatically mean more satisfaction.
Clinical studies found that blood nicotine levels and subjective satisfaction don't always match. How a product feels, how quickly nicotine is delivered, and individual experiences can influence how people respond.

5️⃣ Understand dependence and the reasons to quit.
Nicotine is addictive. People may experience cravings, irritability, sleep problems, and difficulty concentrating when they stop. For smokers, quitting reduces exposure to carbon monoxide and many harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke. Counseling, support, and appropriate medications can help people quit.

❤️ WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ULTRA RUNNERS?

Nicotine may temporarily increase alertness, but that doesn't prove it improves endurance, running economy, or the ability to complete 100 miles.

We need to understand the difference between feeling stimulated and actually improving performance.

Nicotine isn't an essential nutrient, and there is no established reason for nicotine-naive athletes to start using it as a performance supplement.

Our goal is to understand the science, ask better questions, and make informed decisions about our health.

🎧 LISTEN NOVEMBER 7, 2026!

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