Improvements in performance without nicotine withdrawal.
Two tests were made of the withdrawal-relief explanation of the improvements in performance obtained with smoking. Study 1 examined the extent to which abstinence from smoking produced poorer performance in smokers in comparison with non-smokers. No evidence was obtained of differences in performance in smokers who were deprived of cigarettes for 10 h and non-smokers. Study 2 tested smokers with a standard cigarette or sham smoking after one hour and 12 h of deprivation. There was no difference in performance for the two deprivation intervals either in the sham smoking condition, or after smoking the lit cigarette. This study gave no evidence for withdrawal-relief being an explanation of the improvements in performance obtained with smoking.
Warburton
D M
DM
Department of Psychology, University of Reading, UK.
Arnall
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*
D009538:Nicotine