Abstract
Introduction
Nicotine increases the reward value of non-drug-related stimuli in animals and dependent smokers; however, research on people who are not dependent on nicotine is limited. This study aimed to explore whether nicotine delivered by oral spray can enhance responding to self-selected sensory rewards in both smokers and non-smokers.
Methods
Minimally abstinent smokers (n=30) and non-smokers (n=31) completed subjective ratings of nicotine withdrawal, received either 2mg nicotine or placebo oral spray and visual analogue scales to measure perceived effects of the spray. An operant conditioning task (Applepicker) that required button clicks to find apples was completed twice, with and without a reward of 30 seconds of pre-prepared music for each reinforcer earned. Measures taken were number of apples found (reinforcers), number of clicks (responses) and time spent on task (in seconds).
Results
There were no differences between smokers and non-smokers on ratings of nicotine withdrawal or effects of the spray. All participants spent longer searching for apples, earned more reinforcers and produced more responses when listening to music. Nicotine administration led to a higher number of reinforcers earned and, when music was playing, an increase in number of responses. A three-way interaction revealed that non-smokers who had received nicotine spent longest searching for apples.
Conclusion
Nicotinic enhancement of sensory rewards was seen in non-smokers only which cannot be accounted for by learned associations with nicotine or reversal of withdrawal effects. Smokers, however, may require higher doses of nicotine to achieve the same effect.
Nicotine increases the reward value of non-drug-related stimuli in animals and dependent smokers; however, research on people who are not dependent on nicotine is limited. This study aimed to explore whether nicotine delivered by oral spray can enhance responding to self-selected sensory rewards in both smokers and non-smokers.
Methods
Minimally abstinent smokers (n=30) and non-smokers (n=31) completed subjective ratings of nicotine withdrawal, received either 2mg nicotine or placebo oral spray and visual analogue scales to measure perceived effects of the spray. An operant conditioning task (Applepicker) that required button clicks to find apples was completed twice, with and without a reward of 30 seconds of pre-prepared music for each reinforcer earned. Measures taken were number of apples found (reinforcers), number of clicks (responses) and time spent on task (in seconds).
Results
There were no differences between smokers and non-smokers on ratings of nicotine withdrawal or effects of the spray. All participants spent longer searching for apples, earned more reinforcers and produced more responses when listening to music. Nicotine administration led to a higher number of reinforcers earned and, when music was playing, an increase in number of responses. A three-way interaction revealed that non-smokers who had received nicotine spent longest searching for apples.
Conclusion
Nicotinic enhancement of sensory rewards was seen in non-smokers only which cannot be accounted for by learned associations with nicotine or reversal of withdrawal effects. Smokers, however, may require higher doses of nicotine to achieve the same effect.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Nicotine and Tobacco Research (OUP) |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - Nov 2024 |