homeopathic nicotine?

[bouch]

I was at a local convienence store, and there was a display at the counter for "nicowater", saying something like "for when you can't smoke". As near as I could tell, it was water with nicotene added, kinda like nicotene gum.

While I'm not a smoker, I was intriqued (questions like: What would this taste like? came to mind)

I did a google search:

http://www.nicowater.com/About%20NicoWater.htm

And I quote:
"NICOWaterTM is a homeopathic formula developed for adult smokers who suffer from the symptoms of tobacco cravings and find themselves in situations and/or environments where smoking is prohibited or discouraged."

Nowhere can I find how much nicotene it allegedly has.

I WAS able to find out that its been available since July, they got $2 million in funding for the national rollout, and you could buy the stuff at Eckerd drug stores.

There's also a patent on the stuff (US Patent # 6,268,386), and there's at least one lawsuit based on that patent.

Comments?

[Zep]

Keep searching for the homeopathic concentration of nicotine in the stuff. Chances are it's no more than tap-water that has been in a bucket with some cigarette-butts ...

[RCNelson]

According to patent # 6,268,386 (http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26437), the concentration is between 0.1% and 0.0001%
patent # 6,268,386:
The parameters of this invention are between 0.1% and 0.0001% of a liquid composition is made of nicotine or alkaloid having the same direction of activity. This allows the desired portion to meet the needs of the individual be it a serious desire to quell their need for nicotine or a more casual desire for a product that includes nicotine or nicotine like component. Tobacco users are an enormous and dynamic group and it is the flexibility of this concept as much as any component that will allow it to perform as planed.
Sounds pretty vague to me; but what can you expect from homeopathy?
:con2:

[Zep]

Thanks, RCNelson.

Well, my first comment is that 0.01% is NOT homeopathic to start with - it actually sounds very undiluted on the homeopathic scale.

Let's see...

0.01% = 0.0001 fraction = 2C (homeo dilution ratio).

0.0001% = 0.000001 fraction = 3.5C (homeo dilution ratio).

Considering that homeopaths usually start using dilutions at 7C or higher, PLUS their contention that more dilution increases the potency, then this stuff must be as potent as *ahem* plain water.

So they are patenting water now. Great.

[BTox]

I'd guess that if there is any measurable nicotine content it would be considered a drug and FDA would be all over them. I'd bet the actual product falls outside the patent and has none detected.

[Trollbane]

Does anyone know what happens to the nicotine molecule when in contact with stomach acids?

I would reckon that nicotine is not suitable for digestion.

[Quasi]

Nicotene is a small molecule, highly volatile Class II insecticide. It has an LD/50 of something like 35mg/kg body weight, and has been unsed as a fumigant. Some people cannot metabolize it easily, so they are not so addicted to nicotene, and they only smoke a little a day. Most people rapidly metabolize nicotene, and it is extremely difficult to quit. They are hoping on testimonials from the non-addicted group to sucker in the hard addicts. Quite a good scam. I am also skeptical of nicotene gum, and know people who have gone back to cigs. Its a tough situation made worse by homeopathy.

[Ratman_tf]

Alls I know is, when I want a smoke, a bottle of water that may have once contained niccotine just ain't gonna cut it. :D

[asthmatic camel]

I've decided to collect the output from the gent's urinals at my local pub. Homeopathic nicotine urine therapy. Should be a big seller.

Regards,

AC.

[BTox]

Originally posted by Trollbane
Does anyone know what happens to the nicotine molecule when in contact with stomach acids?

I would reckon that nicotine is not suitable for digestion.

Nicorette chewing gum is an approved drug, some nicotine gets absorbed directly through the oral mucosa but the remainder is ingested.

[thaiboxerken]

I wonder if I should patent homeopathic coffee. Anyone want a homeopathic espresso?

[Soapy Sam]

Was it AP who was planning a homeopathic heroin pushing operation a few months back?