Conspirituality Podcast 289: “Big Wellness’s Nicotine Gambit” [feat. Mallory DeMille]

Release Date: January 1, 2026
Hosts: Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker
Guest: Mallory DeMille

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the latest trend sweeping the alternative and contrarian wellness corners: the idea that nicotine, long demonized for its role in tobacco addiction and disease, is actually a wellness “hack” with numerous health benefits. The hosts, joined by Mallory DeMille, investigate the influencers, pseudo-experts, and right-leaning wellness content creators who are rebranding nicotine as a suppressed miracle substance. They explore how parasocial dynamics, affiliate marketing, and culture wars have converged to create a Wild West of nicotine misinformation—sometimes even targeting children or people with autism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Emergence of “Wellness Nicotine”

• Background:
  • Since tobacco warnings and strict regulation, nicotine alone is being repackaged by wellness influencers as a supplement for energy, immunity, and even chronic disease resistance.
  • Influencers claim, with little evidence, that nicotine treats conditions from Parkinson’s to COVID, and even autism.
  • This is driven by the “contrarian wellness” ethos: if mainstream medicine says “danger,” the grifters say “hidden cure.”
  • Mallory: "I must have assumed it was satire... but I misread that completely... nicotine pouches and patches have fast become the new darling for what ails you." [06:03]

2. The Role of Influencers and Pseudoscience

• Virality on Social Platforms:
  • TikTok, Instagram, and podcasts are spreading the gospel of “clean nicotine,” featuring anecdotal testimonials over science.
  • Example: A typical viral influencer post promises “I haven’t been sick for three months, my inflammation is down, my brain fog is gone,” offering to send followers a “doctor’s podcast and my favorite brand” in exchange for engagement. [04:40–05:35]
• Skepticism from Hosts:
  • Julian: "But Mallory, it's a naturally occurring substance. I mean, game over." [06:42]
• Core Tactics:
  • Products are marketed as "direct-to-consumer," "low dose," and "clean," leveraging fear of Big Pharma and government “cover-ups.”

3. The Source: Dr. Bryan Ardis & The Wonderland of Chiropractic Medicine

• Who is Bryan Ardis?
  • A chiropractor and functional medicine promoter infamous for COVID conspiracy theories and pseudoscientific claims.
  • Claims nicotine is a cure for myriad diseases, from cancers to myocarditis—presented with no credible evidence.
• Direct Quotes from Ardis:

  "Nicotine is a published cure for Parkinson's disease, MS, Alzheimer's... They dissolved within 72 hours glioblastoma tumors with nicotine." [07:37–08:25] In his book, he includes bizarre, anti-scientific passages (e.g., COVID as a combination of “snake venom and deep-sea creatures”).

• Hosts’ Commentary:
  • Julian: Reads an excerpt from Ardis’s book to highlight its conspiratorial and sensationalist tone. [10:12]
  • Derek: "The writing is truly Pulitzer Prize-ready material." [09:23, sarcasm]

4. Wellness Influencer Culture & Parasocial Marketing

• Mallory’s Analysis:
  • The “dangerous” influence of podcasters like Alex Clark (Culture Apothecary podcast, Turning Point USA) who push affiliate links and supplements, blurring lines between review, advice, and commerce.
  • Example clip: “I bought everything. Red light machine… the nicotine patches...” [19:12–20:26]
• Quote: Mallory: "Her job is to influence you to buy what she's advertising... there are discount codes galore in her show notes..." [22:33]
• Parasocial Influence:
  • Listeners openly admit to purchasing everything their favorite influencers mention, trusting them above experts or doctors.
  • Matthew: "There seems to be... a customer wants some sort of completeness in their parasocial relationship. It's like assembling a look with accessories." [24:54]
• Fact-Checking? Who Cares?
  • Mallory: "Alex herself has stated point blank that she doesn’t fact check her guests because, guys, she doesn’t have the time." [23:09]

5. Right-Wing Culture War & Nicotine as Identity

• Politicization & "Nicotine Nationalism":
  • The trend is heavily championed by right-wing figures as a symbol of rugged individualism, anti-elite rebellion, and “optimal” masculinity.
  • Cited: RFK Jr. popping Zyn during Congress; Tucker Carlson launching his own “non-political” nicotine brand (ALP).
• Quotes:
  • Greg Price: "A man with nicotine, caffeine, protein and creatine coursing through his veins is an unstoppable force." [27:52]
  • Tucker Carlson: "I'm saying if you don't want politics in your mouth in the first place... How about a non-political nicotine pouch... then get in your non-political car and drive to your non-political house and just, like, live a normal life and like laugh at boner jokes once in a while. It's okay. That's what I want." [30:44–31:26]
• The Hosts' Response:
  • Julian: "He wants to laugh at boner jokes and he wants to not be forced by liberals to make everything political. Meanwhile, one of the reasons he turned against Zyn is that apparently they endorsed Kamala in the last election." [32:04]

6. What Does the Evidence Actually Say?

• Science of Nicotine:
  • Nicotine is addictive, and its only FDA-approved use is to help quit smoking.
  • Any other health claims are unsubstantiated and potentially dangerous.
  • Professor Ray Niora (NYU): Sweden’s use of snus (a less harmful smokeless tobacco) correlates with lower smoking rates and some cancer reductions, but does not mean nicotine is a universal wellness tool. [16:15–17:33]
  • Julian: "It's much better for you than smoking doesn't really translate to it being the ultimate wellness hack." [17:33]

7. Taboo, Biohacking, and 'Optimization Bros'

• Hosts Discuss the Irony:
  • “Hacks” are often about breaking taboos—raw milk, urine therapy, now nicotine—turned into an emblem of vitality and anti-authoritarianism.
  • Julian: Noting the language—“cycling” nicotine—borrowed from bodybuilding steroids. [38:34]
  • Matthew: "They are hackers... the result of breaking rules is fitness and vitality and freedom." [38:34]

8. The Most Dangerous Frontier: Nicotine Recommendations for Kids & Autism

• Terrifying Turn:
  • Some influencers & “doctors” (e.g., Tony Jimenez, Bryan Ardis) openly discuss or recommend using nicotine patches on children, including those with autism.
  • Sample dialogue from a wellness influencer and Dr. Tony Jimenez:
    • "Cutting it in half, the seven milligrams, and then cutting that little piece in four and then starting with that dose." [39:37–39:44]
    • "Yes, children could do it also…" [39:44]
• Facebook Example:
  • Parents in Facebook autism groups now inquire about giving nicotine patches to their children, referencing Ardis.
• Matthew's Reflection:
  • Explains the desperation in these parental groups and the broader societal failures that drive people toward such “miracle” cures. [43:31–46:51]
• Tragic Real-World Outcome:
  • Case cited: Grandmother in El Paso put multiple nicotine patches on a four-year-old autistic grandson, sent him to the hospital, resulting in a criminal conviction. [48:54–49:01]
  • Julian: “Now I feel terrible that I was laughing at that last comment. This is awful. And it underlines the understandable, dangerous logic that can emerge from medical misinformation.” [49:01]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mallory: “It’s clear that Alex Clark’s job is to influence you to buy what she’s advertising... But when your show really only has contrarian health and wellness guests and the topics are controversial claim after controversial claim—where is the line drawn?” [22:33]
• Derek: "Autism is not a nicotine deficiency." [47:31]
• Matthew: "[The customer wants] completeness in their parasocial relationship. It’s like assembling a look with accessories." [24:54]
• Tucker Carlson: “How about a non-political nicotine pouch and you can consume that with your non-political beer and then get in your non-political car...” [30:44]
• Mallory: "[Influencers] will always say, do your own research—but they don’t fact check, don’t care about accuracy, and have guests contradict each other." [25:10]
• Julian: "If nicotine becomes a kind of vitality enhancer, they are taking something taboo and making it into a virtue... like raw milk, urine therapy, RFK swimming in shitty water..." [38:53]
• Matthew (re: autism FB post): "The culture knows enough about autism to diagnose, but not enough about how to accommodate what autism means... So it’s just really shitty this parent is reaching out for wellness grift advice." [43:31–46:51]

Important Timestamps

• 03:31 — Mallory introduces the nicotine-as-wellness trend among influencers.
• 04:40–05:35 — Example TikTok influencer pitches nicotine pouches as a health hack.
• 07:37 — “Dr.” Bryan Ardis’s waterfall of pseudo-cures attributed to nicotine.
• 10:12 — Julian reads a conspiratorial passage from Ardis’s book.
• 16:15–17:33 — WSJ/Professor Niora audio segment: what science actually says about nicotine.
• 19:12–20:26 — Clip of follower who buys everything an influencer pushes, including nicotine pouches.
• 22:33 — Discussion of parasocial influence and Alex Clark's affiliate empire.
• 27:52 — Greg Price's "unstoppable force" quote on nicotine and masculinity.
• 30:44–31:26 — Tucker Carlson on “non-political” nicotine pouches.
• 37:03–38:34 — Users describe their “clarity” on nicotine; hosts analyze the pleasure/taboo dynamic.
• 39:37–40:20 — Influencer and “Dr.” Tony Jimenez discuss micro-dosing nicotine patches for kids.
• 42:38–47:31 — Claims about nicotine for autism; Facebook parenting groups.
• 48:54–49:19 — Real-world outcome: Grandmother charged for giving child multiple nicotine patches.

Conclusion & Takeaways

The episode exposes how alt-wellness influencers and political actors are leveraging nicotine’s rebranding as a health “secret” to sell products and ideology—often with no evidence but with considerable financial and cultural incentives. Whether it’s charismatic pseudo-doctors, affiliate marketers, or MAGA-adjacent podcasters, the endpoint is the same: spreading dangerous misinformation to increasingly desperate or disillusioned people.

Final thought from Mallory:
“As we enter the new year, I can't help but wonder what kind of wellness hacks they will come up with next.” [49:31]

For concerned listeners: The only medically-approved use for nicotine without tobacco is for quitting smoking. All other wellness claims are unproven and potentially harmful, especially for children and teens. If you are seeking medical advice, consult a qualified healthcare professional, not an influencer.