indeed very interesting, glad I clicked through @hn posts again and found some healthy discussion here

nemo

tech

Nicotine: On the benefits and lack of demerits of nicotine

> Overall, I am personally comfortable using nicotine gum (but not vaping) once in a while, and have done so since 2011 without any noticeable problems or escalation in usage frequency.

My usage frequency has escalated but it required being consciously unconscious of my escalating consumption.

Before I became a total nicotine gum addict, I would alternate days of consumption. One day with as much as I wanted, then one day with none. It prevented building up a tolerance and I'd chew maybe 6 pieces on nicotine gum days. Currently, I chew nicotine gum from morning to night.

I could probably wean myself off back to more moderate consumption, but I enjoy the dependence. I enjoy having a vice and this is the best I've found. It's kind of wacky logically, but I think vices are emotionally grounding.