The subjective effects of nicotine: methodological issues, a review of experimental studies, and recommendations for future research.
This paper reviews findings from placebo-controlled human experimental studies of the effects of nicotine on subjective experience. Studies are grouped according to whether participants were smokers (significantly nicotine deprived, minimally nicotine deprived) or non-smokers. Within each category, studies are also grouped according to method of nicotine administration (e.g., smoked tobacco, nasal spray) and nicotine dose. This review of studies is preceded by a discussion of several methodological issues in studies of nicotine and mood. The principal findings of this review are: (1) there is a linear relationship between nicotine dose and measures of drug high (e.g., head rush, euphoria) in significantly nicotine-deprived smokers; (2) there appear to be few positive or negative main effects of nicotine on mood in minimally nicotine-deprived smokers; (3) nicotine has positive effects (e.g., increases head rush) and negative effects (e.g., increases tension) in non-smokers; (4) stronger effects of nicotine on mood emerge when individual difference variables (e.g., neuroticism) and situational contingencies (e.g., exposure to stressful stimuli) are examined. Additional studies with minimally nicotine-deprived smokers and non-smokers are needed to further specify the conditions under which nicotine affects mood and other subjective experience. The review concludes with a discussion of putative mechanisms that may mediate the interaction between nicotine and moderating variables on affect and with suggestions for future research.
Kalman
David
D
Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. Kalman.David@bedford.va.gov
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000339:Affect; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005881:Gingiva; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012107:Research Design; D012907:Smoking; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000523:psychology*
D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants; D009538:Nicotine