XML Feed for RxPG News   Add RxPG News Headlines to My Yahoo!   Javascript Syndication for RxPG News

Research Health World General
 
  Home
 
 Latest Research
 Cancer
 Psychiatry
  Depression
  Neuropsychiatry
  Personality Disorders
  Bulimia
  Anxiety
  Substance Abuse
   Alcohol
   Smoking
   Amphetamine
   Opiates
   Cannabis
   Cocaine
  Suicide
  CFS
  Psychoses
  Child Psychiatry
  Learning-Disabilities
  Psychology
  Forensic Psychiatry
  Mood Disorders
  Sleep Disorders
  Peri-Natal Psychiatry
  Psychotherapy
  Anorexia Nervosa
 Genetics
 Surgery
 Aging
 Ophthalmology
 Gynaecology
 Neurosciences
 Pharmacology
 Cardiology
 Obstetrics
 Infectious Diseases
 Respiratory Medicine
 Pathology
 Endocrinology
 Immunology
 Nephrology
 Gastroenterology
 Biotechnology
 Radiology
 Dermatology
 Microbiology
 Haematology
 Dental
 ENT
 Environment
 Embryology
 Orthopedics
 Metabolism
 Anaethesia
 Paediatrics
 Public Health
 Urology
 Musculoskeletal
 Clinical Trials
 Physiology
 Biochemistry
 Cytology
 Traumatology
 Rheumatology
 
 Medical News
 Health
 Opinion
 Healthcare
 Professionals
 Launch
 Awards & Prizes
 
 Careers
 Medical
 Nursing
 Dental
 
 Special Topics
 Euthanasia
 Ethics
 Evolution
 Odd Medical News
 Feature
 
 World News
 Tsunami
 Epidemics
 Climate
 Business
 
 India
Search

Last Updated: Nov 18, 2006 - 12:32:53 PM

Smoking Channel
subscribe to Smoking newsletter

Latest Research : Psychiatry : Substance Abuse : Smoking

   DISCUSS   |   EMAIL   |   PRINT
Why it’s so hard to stop smoking
Apr 11, 2005 - 12:33:00 PM, Reviewed by: Dr.

"When trying to give up the smoker loses the pleasure normally afforded directly by smoking, but exposure to, or enjoyment of, alternative sources of pleasure may also be reduced. Secondly the more that response inhibition is impaired during abstinence, the greater the difficulty in resisting the reflex response to smoke a cigarette when one is available."

 
New research has revealed that smokers may struggle to quit the habit because being deprived of nicotine means they lack motivation and find normally pleasurable tasks less enjoyable.

The researchers recruited 200 smokers aged between 18 and 65, all of whom admitted to smoking more than 10 cigarettes a day, to assess the effects of quitting.

The volunteers were tested twice, one week apart, and on both occasions they had refrained from smoking for at least 12 hours before testing. On each occasion they received either a lozenge containing nicotine, or a placebo lozenge that did not contain nicotine. They then performed a series of tests assessing their expectations of finding normal events pleasurable, their attention towards rewarding events, motivation, and the ability to inhibit reflexive responses, such as averting their eyes away from a moving object.

When the volunteers were deprived of nicotine they showed reduced pleasure expectations, weakened motivation and an impaired ability to inhibit reflexive responses.

The researchers argue this may be because nicotine sensitises certain circuitry in the brain and when it is removed people experience abnormalities in cognitive and psychological functioning. These abnormalities, both individually and in combination, mean would-be quitters find giving up smoking an unpleasant experience. This could contribute to the high risk of relapse and therefore make it difficult for people to quit smoking.

Dr Dawkins said: "When trying to give up the smoker loses the pleasure normally afforded directly by smoking, but exposure to, or enjoyment of, alternative sources of pleasure may also be reduced. Secondly the more that response inhibition is impaired during abstinence, the greater the difficulty in resisting the reflex response to smoke a cigarette when one is available."

The research team is currently examining smokers who have managed to quit to see if these abnormalities improve over time.
 

- This is the conclusion of Dr Lynne Dawkins and colleagues from Goldsmiths College, the Institute of Psychiatry, and University College London who revealed the results of their research at the British Psychological Society's Annual Conference at the University of Manchester, Thursday 31 March 2005.
 

www.bps.org.uk

 
Subscribe to Smoking Newsletter
E-mail Address:

 

With over 37,000 members, The British Psychological Society (BPS) is the representative body for psychologist and psychology in the UK.

A popular definition of psychology is 'the systematic study of mind and behaviour'. As such, it has a central contribution to make to all aspects of public life, in areas such as education, health, the economy, industry and social justice.

By its Royal Charter the Society is charged with national responsibility for the development, promotion and application of psychology for the public good.


Related Smoking News

C. elegans provides model for the genetics of nicotine dependence
Smoking Ban Associated With Rapid Improvement In Health Of Bar Workers in Scotland
Smoking media literacy (SML) is a valuable tool in efforts to discourage teens from smoking
Hold the Hookah
Weight concerns affects women's motivations to stay smoke-free after delivery
Nicotine Withdrawal Begins Within 30 Minutes
Varenicline Appears Effective In Helping Smokers Kick The Habit
Smokers with chronic pain smoke more
Varenicline Prevents Relapse of Smoking Behaviour
Varenicline produce higher continuous smoking abstinence rates


For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send any medical news or health news press releases, use feedback form

Top of Page

 

© Copyright 2004 onwards by RxPG Medical Solutions Private Limited
Contact Us