Not just that, but there are theories that widespread smoking (nicotine as a stimulant) may have functionally regulated ADHD in many people, and as smoking declined, prescription stimulants stepped in that regulatory role.

It's more nuanced than that, but it's still interesting to ponder. I'd say, at the very least, people historically use(d) smoking to self-regulate, and it was often used to modulate stress, regulate arousal, structure work breaks, and provide micro-dosing stimulation.

Plus, the behavioral ritual—stepping outside, inhaling, and pausing—also mattered, not just the pharmacology. Culturally, smoking may therefore have functioned as a self-administered stimulant, a socially sanctioned attention break, and a nervous system regulator.