It is now widely accepted that nicotine is the primary addictive component of tobacco smoke
and that a majority of habitual smokers find it difficult to quit smoking because of their …

This chapter considers the neurobiological mechanisms that are thought to mediate the
reinforcing or rewarding properties of nicotine. It focuses on the data (derived principally …

This commentary summarises the evidence that nicotine has the pharmacological properties
of a psychostimulant drug of dependence. Behaviourally it serves as a reinforcer in self …

The development of nicotine dependence is related to stimulation of the dopamine
projections to the nucleus accumbens. This review considers the evidence that the addictive …

A majority of habitual tobacco smokers find it very difficult to quit the habit because they
become addicted to the nicotine present in tobacco smoke. Nicotine, like other …

The mesolimbic dopaminergic system appears to mediate the rewarding effects of certain
stimulant drugs, such as (+) amphetamine. Autoradiographic mapping techniques have …

Nicotine reinforces smoking behaviour by activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the
midbrain dopaminergic reward centres. Upstream of the dopaminergic neurons nicotine …

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) regulate the rewarding actions of
nicotine contained in tobacco that establish and maintain the smoking habit. nAChRs also …

Nicotine is a psychoactive ingredient in tobacco that significantly contributes to the harmful
tobacco smoking habit. Nicotine dependence is more prevalent than dependence on any …

There is little doubt that many habitual smokers find it difficult to quit the habit because they
have become addicted to the nicotine present in the smoke. This paper addresses some of …