probably not an issue with snuff but interesting nonetheless: ‘Not just a flavoring:’ Menthol, nicotine combined desensitize airway receptors Date: May 11, 2015 Source: Georgetown University Medical Center Summary: Menthol acts in combination with nicotine to desensitize the type of nicotinic receptors found in lungs and airways that are responsible for nicotine’s irritation, say researchers. They say their findings suggests menthol is not just a flavoring, but has an important pharmacologic effect. Share: 7 28 2 2 2 Total shares: 41 FULL STORY Menthol acts in combination with nicotine to desensitize the type of nicotinic receptors found in lungs and airways that are responsible for nicotine’s irritation, say Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) researchers. They say their findings, published online in Molecular Pharmacology, suggests menthol is not just a flavoring, but has an important pharmacologic effect. “In addition to desensitizing the receptors in the lung and airways, menthol appears to slow or prevent the recovery of sensitivity after the first insult, likely placing the receptors in a desensitized state,” says senior author Gerard Ahern, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology at GUMC. Ahern and his colleague say their study provides a better understanding of how menthol affects the function of the α3β4 receptor, one of the most prevalent nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed in the peripheral nervous system. These receptors are expressed in airway sensory nerves as well as other neurons. “These receptors are also found in the brain, but we don’t know yet what effect menthol has on those receptors, or whether they contribute, in any way, to nicotine addiction,” says study co-author, Kenneth Kellar, PhD, a professor of pharmacology at GUMC. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering restrictions on menthol cigarettes because it has determined that menthol in cigarettes is likely associated with increased initiation and progression to regular cigarette smoking in teens, and increased dependence, and reduced success in smoking cessation, especially among African American menthol smokers. But FDA’s review of the available research and evidence relating to menthol cigarettes, issued in July 2013, also concluded, “From the available studies, the weight of evidence supports the conclusion that menthol in cigarettes is not associated with an increase in disease risk to the user compared to non-menthol cigarette smokers.” At the same time, the use of menthol cigarettes is especially high among African-American smokers, and research has shown a higher rate of lung cancer in African American smokers compared to other smokers. “The issue may be that menthol in the presence of nicotine may reduce the irritation enough that a smoker can inhale more deeply, bringing not just nicotine but toxic smoke products farther into the lungs,” says Ahern. “While beyond the scope of this study, it is possible that such deeper inhalation of menthol cigarettes, to the extent it occurs, increases the already substantial health harms from smoking.” Story Source: The above story is based on materials provided by Georgetown University Medical Center. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. Journal Reference: Hoai T Ton, Amanda E Smart, Brittany L Aguilar, Thao T Olson, Kenneth J. Kellar, and Gerard P Ahern. Menthol Enhances the Desensitization of Human α3β4 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. Molecular Pharmacology, May 2015 DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.098285
Kool I’ll Salem to Newport And get some More True menthol Marlboro.Then back to Bel Air where I can rest under Dunhill next to my Camel. This coming war on menthol is a study in contradictions that will affect all Americans regardless of race and whether they smoke. First and foremost, this 21st century attempt at Prohibition will be a boon for smugglers. Cigarettes are already recognized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as the likely “number-one black market commodity in the world.” Cigarette smuggling — now largely focused on avoiding the many taxes imposed on tobacco — already got a boost in the late ’90s when additional fees were added to comply with the tobacco industry’s settlement deal with state attorneys general. If menthol cigarettes are banned entirely, a new and extremely lucrative market will open up. According to the ATF, more than $100,000 can be made right now from just a simple minivan full of contraband cigarettes smuggled into New York City. This puts money into the hands of the mob and even would-be terrorists while simultaneously depriving straining governments of tax revenue. By the way, the Lorillard Tobacco Company, which sells these cigarettes, estimates that outlawing menthol cigarettes would reduce state and federal tax revenues by approximately $40 billion. Don’t forget that someone selling homemade or smuggled menthol cigarettes out of the trunk of a car is also probably not very concerned about asking for proof of age. This means that creating a new underground market for cigarettes could conceivably increase underage access to tobacco products. And don’t expect these smuggled smokes will undergo quality checks that their currently legal counterparts face.
Ok, but what would be the effect of menthol in tobacco in our noses? I fancy a menthol pinch every now and then and I’m a lover of Jaap’s Mentholin. But I can’t say it’s very addictive. Just an occasional pinch in the autumn season a little more. With menthol snuff I’m not reminded at a chemical substance. But it reminds me always of peppermint plants. Good menthol is natural and I trust Jaap, Wilsons and McChrystals for using only natural menthol. Therefore I cannot associate my use with researchers who look for reactions of chemical substances, seeing the ages where every drugstore stocked medicated snuffs, and now some university guys stand up saying it’s all wrong???
I can cope with a little menthol, but some snuffs just hurt. Jaxons 1869 is the only mentholated snuff I’ll use unless stoked up with a heavy cold, and even then only very occasionally. I just took a pinch before typing this, and I’d say it’s right on the limit for me
I’ve never been able to figure out why so many snuffs are mentholated. I can’t stand the smell or the feeling in my nose that I get with a mentholated snuff. I tried a couple of well-regarded mentholated snuffs when I first started taking snuff a few years ago. Since then, I’ve steered clear of anything with menthol in it. I just can’t stand the stuff. Then again, I’ve never felt any irritation when taking snuff, so if the study is right, then the reduction in irritation might explain why so many snuff-takers like the mentholated stuff.
@Beery I’m just the opposite as I deal with seasonal allergies. I find menthol helps clear and open my sinuses, especially in the morning. So I have really been enjoying mentholated snuff as my first shot of the day. My favorite thus far is Poschl Gawith Apricot as the menthol level is mild to moderate, with a nice following scent of apricots. So with clear nasal passages I can now enjoy other snuffs later in the day. I would think the reason behind the many varieties is because they are popular. Perhaps some are in the same situation as me or perhaps unlike you, they just enjoy the smell + feeling in their nose. There are many varieties without menthol so I don’t think your choices are very constricted.
@Beery 6 Photo Snuff’s are a horse of a different color. Exotic spices of India. And I had yet had any rebound congestion. Unlike some other menthols that clear you for one minute and clog you the next. They are excellent decongestants and invigorating for your Senses. Great at any time; best in the morning and right before bed.
@Spyder I wasn’t complaining that there were too few non-mentholated regular snuff varieties. I was saying that the reduction in irritation might be one reason so many snuff-takers enjoy mentholated snuffs, which I consider to be an acquired taste. Maybe for folks with seasonal allergies it’s a taste worth acquiring. For me, it’s not, even though I suffer from seasonal allergies too. On the subject of restricted access to snuff, I do find that my choices of tobacco-free snuffs do tend to be somewhat restricted to mentholated varieties. There just aren’t that many non-mentholated varieties - at least not that I’ve found. Mind you, tobacco-free snuff is itself somewhat uncommon, so maybe I just haven’t looked hard enough. @basement_shaman I will have to try the 6 Photo snuffs. I love Indian spices. Thanks for the tip.
I don’t know can I agree with the reduction of irritation. To me, menthol induces a horrible irritation in the nose and in some extreme cases (the one Bernard with the picture of ship on the tap box) horrible pain. But I think this is more to do with cigarettes, as Mouse already stated. Just my humble opinion 