The impact of nicotine lozenges and stimulus expectancies on cigarette craving.
Reduced craving associated with nicotine replacement therapy use is frequently attributed to the effects of nicotine pharmacology, however non-pharmacological factors may also play a role. This study examined the impact of nicotine pharmacology and non-pharmacological components of an acute nicotine lozenge (4 mg) on cigarette craving, mood and heart rate in 70 daily smokers (36 male). Smoking-related stimuli were used to assess cue-induced craving. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions in a balanced placebo design where half the participants were provided deceptive information regarding the nicotine content of a lozenge. Subjective ratings of craving and mood were collected and heart rate was assessed before and after neutral and smoking cues. Nicotine expectancy reduced withdrawal-related craving (p = 0.006) regardless of actual nicotine administration while combined nicotine expectancy and administration reduced intentions to smoke (p = 0.046) relative to each of the other conditions. Exposure to smoking-related stimuli increased cigarette craving (p ≤ 0.001) and negative affect (p ≤ 0.001) regardless of expectancy or pharmacology. Following the smoking cue, women reported a greater increase in withdrawal-related craving than men (p = 0.027). Findings suggest that both pharmacological and non-pharmacological components of nicotine lozenge administration contribute to its acute effects on craving, yet neither appears effective in preventing craving triggered by exposure to environmental smoking stimuli.
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Hera E
HE
Schlagintweit
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Kimberley P
KP
Good
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada sean.barrett@dal.ca.
Sean P
SP
Barrett
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D066249:Craving / Q000187:drug effects*; D003463:Cues; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015990:Placebo Effect; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
Craving; expectancy; nicotine; nicotine replacement therapy; tobacco