it's true, actually.

i started smoking in second year because i realized how powerful a stimulant it was. those all nighters experimenting with various substances tended to go a lot better when i had that pack of nicotine to keep me awake. and, it cut down on hangovers, too, because i could sober up or come down before i crashed.

at first, i'd just buy a pack on the weekend and smoke it at the party. over time, that turned into buying a pack when i had to stay up all night to finish an assignment, or study for a test. and, then the physical addiction clicked in, and the properties of nicotine as a stimulant reversed themselves: i needed it to stay awake. trying to quit becomes very difficult, because you need a week off to sleep.

to this day, it remains the primary reason i have difficulties. i can go days without smoking if i'm not doing anything. but, as soon as i need to focus on something, i start freaking out.

it's better if you just avoid it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4srWvLXZRw