ADHD Living With The Relationship Between Nicotine and ADHD By Keath Low Keath Low Keath Low, MA, is a therapist and clinical scientist with the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at the University of North Carolina. She specializes in treatment of ADD/ADHD. Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 21, 2023 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Armeen Poor, MD Medically reviewed by Armeen Poor, MD Armeen Poor, MD, is a board-certified pulmonologist and intensivist. He specializes in pulmonary health, critical care, and sleep medicine. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Diverse Images / Universal Images Group / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Connection Nicotine and ADHD Symptoms Drug Interactions Benefits of Quitting Abstinence Tips Future Strategies Trending Videos Close this video player Teens and adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to smoke cigarettes and become nicotine-dependent than those who don't have ADHD. They're also more likely to start smoking at an earlier age and have a more difficult time successfully quitting as compared to the general population. This connection between nicotine and ADHD is a public health concern because the regular use of cigarettes is associated with a host of negative health consequences. In addition, for many people, cigarettes can be a gateway to other drugs—potentially opening the door to the use of marijuana and cocaine. The Best Online Resources for ADHD of 2024 Connection Between Nicotine and ADHD There are a number of factors that seem to contribute to increased nicotine use by people with ADHD. Genes may play a large role as studies have identified a genetic correlation between nicotine dependence and ADHD, potentially due to genetic vulnerabilities. These findings suggest that there may be common neurobiological factors that contribute to the development of ADHD and also increase a person's risk for tobacco use. In addition, a review of 12 studies found that in utero smoking exposure is related to an increased risk of ADHD development in the unborn child. Problems with impulse control might also explain why more teens and adults with ADHD are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as smoking. ADHD can make it more difficult to look clearly to the future and take into account the negative health consequences of current actions. Though we don't fully understand all the mechanisms responsible, both neurobiological and behavioral factors seem to contribute to higher rates of nicotine use in people with ADHD. Social influences, such as being exposed to smoking by family members and peers, also raise this risk. Nicotine and ADHD Symptoms Nicotine is a central nervous system stimulant and appears to act on the brain in a way that is similar to the psychostimulant drugs commonly used to treat ADHD (such as methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine). A number of studies have found that nicotine can improve cognitive performance. "Nicotine exerts beneficial effects on a range of processes known to be disrupted in individuals with ADHD," writes Dr. Scott Kollins, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry and medical psychology at the Duke University School of Medicine and director of the Duke ADHD Program. Dr. Kollins adds that the processes nicotine affects include "attention, inhibitory control, and working memory." One study involving 52 adults with ADHD seems to confirm nicotine's ability to improve ADHD symptoms. In this case, subjects using a nicotine patch for two days had an 8% reduction in ADHD symptoms and a 9% reduction in negative mood, regardless of whether they smoked or not. Based on findings such as these, it is possible that nicotine may help some people with ADHD compensate for the symptoms they experience. At the same time, some experts suggest that smoking may make hyperactivity worse. For some people, nicotine may serve as a form of self-medication for ADHD symptoms. Nicotine Interactions With ADHD Medications Medications are often the first line of treatment with ADHD. If you have one of these prescriptions, you may be wondering whether nicotine interacts with your ADHD medication. At least one study suggests that the answer is yes. This research involved 325 people with ADHD. Three months after starting treatment with methylphenidate, their tobacco consumption increased by 1.3 cigarettes per day, which equates to smoking 23 more packs per year. This suggests that starting an ADHD medication while smoking may increase smoking rates. It's also important to know that cigarette smoking affects a number of psychiatric medications, such as those prescribed for anxiety, depression, and antipsychotics, potentially reducing their ability to work. Therefore, finding ways to quit nicotine may help increase the effectiveness of any other medications you are taking. Looking for a Psychiatrist? Try One of These 9 Best Online Psychiatry Services Benefits of Quitting Nicotine When You Have ADHD If nicotine seems to ease your ADHD symptoms, you may worry that quitting smoking will make your symptoms worse. Some studies do indicate that adult smokers with ADHD felt that their symptoms worsened when they abstained from nicotine. However, in addition to the important health benefits associated with quitting smoking—which include a decrease in breathing issues, reduced risk of heart attack, and lower cancer risk—stopping the use of nicotine offers even more benefits for people with ADHD. For example, one study found that when adult smokers quit their habit, their feelings of anxiety and depression decreased. So, giving up nicotine may help relieve other mental health issues. Nicotine Abstinence for People With ADHD If you have ADHD and want to quit smoking, there are a few strategies that can help. Ask your healthcare provider for help. Everyone is different, so your healthcare provider can help decide the best way for you to quit given your situation and health status. Consider a smoking cessation aid. Some studies have found that using a smoking cessation aid, such as varenicline (Chantix), helps reduce smoking levels in people with ADHD. Remember your why. It's also helpful to keep in mind the reasons you want to quit, whether it is to improve your health, because you no longer want to feel addicted, or something else. Remembering these when you feel like lighting up can help you avoid the urge. Take a multi-treatment approach. In the study that found that quitting smoking can reduce anxiety and depression in people with ADHD, the subjects quit using a combination of counseling and a nicotine patch. Another study reported that medication combined with a nicotine patch appears to be helpful for people with ADHD. Future Strategies to Break the Nicotine-ADHD Link We know that people with ADHD smoke at rates that are significantly higher than their non-ADHD peers. And some use nicotine as a form of self-medication for ADHD symptoms. Therefore, it is possible that identifying and treating ADHD earlier may prevent the onset of smoking altogether. Studies show that treatment for ADHD may indeed contribute to a reduced risk of smoking in teens with ADHD. In one report, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School conducted a two-year, prospective clinical trial of extended-release methylphenidate for smoking prevention in adolescents. They found that the smoking rate at the end of the study was significantly lower in ADHD subjects who were receiving stimulant treatment than in ADHD subjects who were not, and there was no significant difference between ADHD subjects receiving stimulant treatment and non-ADHD subjects. A Word From Verywell Future research is needed to help better explain the link between nicotine and ADHD so that more effective prevention and treatment strategies can be developed. In the meantime, finding a way to overcome your nicotine addiction if you have ADHD provides enough benefits to make it worth the effort. 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Pediatrics. 2014;133(6):1070-1080. doi:10.2174/1874473709666160803101633 Hammerness P, Joshi G, Doyle R, et al. Do stimulants reduce the risk for cigarette smoking in youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder? A prospective, long-term, open-label study of extended-release methylphenidate. J Pediatr. 2013;162(1):22-7.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2012.06.046 By Keath Low Keath Low, MA, is a therapist and clinical scientist with the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at the University of North Carolina. She specializes in treatment of ADD/ADHD. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit Speak to a Therapist for ADHD Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.