Health, Longevity & Biohacking

Jillian Michaels says nicotine can aid cognition if used “strategically”

Name: Jillian Michaels says nicotine can aid cognition if used “strategically”
Uploaded: 2026-07-22T03:30:00+00:00
Description: Jillian Michaels tells NewsNation’s Ross Coulthart she uses nicotine and says it has cognitive benefits when not abused. She argues adults can use non-combustible nicotine (such as gum or pouches) strategically, with a doctor’s permission.

Reality Check with Ross Coulthart · Nicotine offers cognitive benefits, says Jillian Michaels · July 22, 2026

Reality Check with Ross Coulthart

Nicotine offers cognitive benefits, says Jillian Michaels

"It has cognitive benefits unquestionably. And when not abused, there really is no reason not to utilize it. But you have to be strategic and you need to do it with your doctor's permission of course."

Jillian Michaels tells NewsNation’s Ross Coulthart she uses nicotine and says it has cognitive benefits when not abused. She argues adults can use non-combustible nicotine (such as gum or pouches) strategically, with a doctor’s permission.

About this episode

In this short NewsNation segment, host Ross Coulthart interviews fitness personality and “Keeping It Real” podcast host Jillian Michaels about nicotine use, focusing on non-combustible products rather than smoking or vaping. Michaels says she is a nicotine user, not an “enthusiast”, and argues nicotine has “cognitive benefits” and can be used strategically. She adds that she would not call nicotine “healthy”, but suggests that when it is “not abused” there is “no reason not to utilise it”, while also advising that it should be done with a doctor’s permission.

Coulthart discloses that Michaels introduced him to nicotine gum and frames the discussion around nicotine delivery via gum or pouches. He adds a market observation, claiming nicotine sales have “exploded” and citing Philip Morris’s share performance in connection with products like Zyn pouches. He says he has not heard a convincing case for why adults over 21 — whom he describes as having developed brains — should not use nicotine on an occasional basis.

The exchange is largely conversational and opinion-driven; no studies, clinical guidance, or specific evidence are cited on air to substantiate claims about cognitive benefits or population-level risk/benefit trade-offs.

Key takeaways

Jillian Michaels says she is a nicotine user but would not call nicotine “healthy”.
Michaels claims nicotine has “cognitive benefits” and suggests there is “no reason not to utilise it” if not abused, with a doctor’s permission.
Ross Coulthart discloses Michaels introduced him to nicotine gum.
The discussion distinguishes nicotine gum/pouches from smoking or vaping.
Coulthart claims nicotine sales have “exploded” and references Philip Morris’s stock performance in relation to pouch products.
Coulthart argues he has not heard a persuasive case against occasional nicotine use by adults over 21.