Nicotine is an alkaloid found in solanaceae plants and an important component in tobacco. It is the main substance that causes smoking addiction and can have many effects on the nervous system. In recent years, nicotine has been found to have the value of drug transformation research, which has attracted the attention of a large number of scholars in the fields of organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry. Related drug transformation research and chemical synthesis continue to emerge. This article mainly summarizes the research progress of nicotine pharmacological effects and synthesis.