The History of Nicotine:
Nicotine, a naturally occurring alkaloid found in the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum), has been entwined with human culture for thousands of years. Used ceremonially, medicinally, and recreationally, its presence predates modern civilization, with ancient tribes across the Americas cultivating and consuming tobacco long before it was introduced to Europe. From sacred ritual to addictive vice to modern nicotine alternatives, its journey traces the intersection of culture, commerce, and science.
~5000 BCE — Indigenous Use in the Americas
Native American cultures begin cultivating and using tobacco for ceremonial and medicinal purposes. Smoke was believed to carry prayers to the spirit world.
~1492 — TOBACCO INTRODUCED TO EUROPE
Following Columbus' arrival in the Americas, European explorers observe tobacco smoking. Tobacco seeds are brought back to Europe. where its use auickly spreads.
~1650S — NICOTINE NAMED
French ambassador Jean Nicot introduces tobacco to the French court. The plant's genus Nicotiana and the compound "nicotine" are later named after him.
~1600S-1700S — ТОВАССО INDUSTRY BOOMS
Tobacco becomes a major cash crop in American colonies. Its economic importance helps fuel colonization and the transatlantic slave trade.
~1828 — NICOTINE ISOLATED
German chemists Posselt and Reimann isolate nicotine as a distinct chemical compound, recognizing its potent pharmacological effects.
~1900S — RISE OF THE CIGARETTE
Industrialization leads to mass production of cigarettes. Tobacco use skyrockets globally, becoming glamorized in pop culture and war propaganda.
~1964 — U.S. SURGEON GENERAL REPORT
The first official U.S. government report links smoking to cancer and other health risks. Public health campaigns against smoking begin to gain traction.
~1980S-1990S — NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPIES
Patches, gums, and lozenges are introduced to help smokers quit. The idea that nicotine is the primary addictive agent becomes widely accepted.
~2003 — INVENTION OF THE E-CIGARETTE
Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik invents the modern e-cigarette, offering an alternative method for nicotine delivery without combustion.
~2010S- 2020S — VAPING CULTURE & REGULATION
Vaping gains popularity, particularly among youth. Global debates erupt over safety, marketing ethics, and regulation. Meanwhile, synthetic nicotine enters the market
~2025
THE BIRTH OF LESSER EVIL
Lesser Evil emerges, offering a revolutionary alternative to nicotine.
Our Backstory
Life was happening. A high-stress job made quitting feel impossible. Vaping became a secret crutch—a constant cycle of anxiety and shame I hid from everyone. I was powerless against a habit that dictated my every move.
I went on a journey to understand my own addiction. I learned how nicotine actually affects the body—the dopamine spikes, the cognitive benefits I wasn't even getting, and why the delivery system was the real enemy.
What if I could get the benefits without the harm, and without the addiction cycle? Existing NRT products were clumsy and high-dose. I engineered my own solution: a low-dose spray that offers total control and finally decouples the physical habit from the instant chemical reward. The leash was broken.
— LUKE & RYAN
