These four people have 2 things in common: they all lived more than 100 years, and they all smoked tobacco. Every pack of cigarettes that you smoke per day is supposed to take 14 years off your life. What does that say about these people?
As studies of tobacco become more and more damning, studies of nicotine alone might hold some of the secrets to their longevity. Of the 7000 chemicals found in cigarette smoke, nicotine is the least harmful and might even be good for your brain.
Nicotine may serve as a neuroprotectant, according to some recent studies. By boosting cognitive function and memory, nicotine has been linked to preventing Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. It reduces stress on the brain, which prevents damage done by drugs (like alcohol) which wreak havoc on your dopamine receptors. Maybe only smoking when you drink isn’t so bad after all.
Stress is very bad for the brain. Every person you see on this page has said that avoiding stress is the secret to a long life. So light up a little less and lighten up a little more, eh?
Christian Mortensen
At least one cigar per week
Born 1882, died 1998 (age 115)
Jeanne Louise Calment (Oldest verified human to ever live!)
2 cigarettes per day
Born 1875, died 1997 (age 122)
Batuli Lamichhane
1.5 Packs per day
Born 1902 (age 120)
Queen Elizabeth
Smoked 1-1.5 packs per day
Born 1900, died 2002 (age 101)
Spud media 