Nicotine vs Nicotinic Acid: Why Two Nearly Identical Names Obscure Completely Different Molecules

About this episode

This episode explores the confusion between nicotine and nicotinic acid, two substances with similar names but vastly different effects on the body.

Why does an essential vitamin share a name with an addictive drug? Meet nicotine and nicotinic acid, the biochemical cousins that behave like total strangers in your body. This naming similarity has confused students, patients, and even some healthcare professionals for decades. Get full access to Mind the Gap at www.nitajain.com/subscribe

People in this episode

Host: Nita Jain

Topics covered

• biochemistry
• health
• addiction
• vitamins
• molecular biology

Keywords

• nicotine
• nicotinic acid
• vitamin
• addictive drug
• biochemical cousins

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mind the Gap, www.nitajain.com

Products: nicotine, nicotinic acid