Nicotine patches as a possible treatment for long covid and me/cfs

The post-COVID-19 syndrome, affecting individuals after a SARS-CoV-2 infection, presents symptoms like weakness, memory lapses, and pain due to the virus's interaction with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). This interaction disrupts neuronal communication, leading to cognitive, neuromuscular, and mood impairments seen in the syndrome. Nicotine, with a high affinity for nAChRs, is proposed to displace the virus from these receptors, potentially improving signal transmission. The syndrome's symptoms can persist for months, affecting a significant percentage of individuals recovering from COVID-19. Current therapeutic strategies for post-COVID-19 syndrome are limited, with speculation on various contributing factors like systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction. Studies suggest a potential role for nicotine in protecting nAChRs from viral attachment, with therapeutic nicotine application proposed for managing acute COVID-19 infections. Understanding the neuromodulation role of nAChRs in the central nervous system sheds light on the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and the potential for nicotine-based interventions. The chronic nature of post-COVID-19 syndrome poses challenges to healthcare systems and highlights the need for effective therapies to address its diverse and persistent symptoms.