(±)-Nornicotine is primarily used in research settings to study the effects of nicotine and its analogs on the nervous system. It serves as a reference compound in pharmacological studies to understand the binding affinity and activity at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This helps in exploring potential therapeutic applications for neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Additionally, it is utilized in the development of smoking cessation products, as it provides insights into nicotine addiction mechanisms. In agriculture, (±)-nornicotine has been investigated for its potential use as a natural pesticide due to its insecticidal properties. Its role in chemical synthesis also makes it valuable for creating derivatives with specific biological activities.