The pleasurable effects of nicotine have been studied for many years and are one of the reasons people find it so difficult to stop smoking. Some people try a cigarette and hate it on first puff- so they quickly give up smoking and never start again. For others, though, that first cigarette provides such a positive rush that they can’t imagine ever not smoking again.
Clearly, different people experience nicotine differently. The reasons for this difference are the subject of a new study published by The University of Western Ontario, and researchers there are examining, specifically, how nicotine travels the brain pathways.
In those who enjoy smoking from the first puff, nicotine seems to cause a release of dopamine in a specific region of the brain. This rush of dopamine is perceived as rewarding and enjoyable by the brain, so the new smoker will likely continue smoking. Individuals who released more dopamine, or released much more dopamine at the time of their first cigarette were more likely to be addicted to cigarettes compared to those who didn’t release that much dopamine at time of first puff.
This research suggests that people can, actually, get addicted to cigarettes on the first try; mainly because the dopamine is quickly processed and rushed down the mesolimbic pathway which is thought to control addiction to nicotine and many other drugs.
This is an important finding for smoking cessation treatments, as it suggests that rates of nicotine addiction can be stopped or slowed considerably if medication can be developed to stop the dopamine rush in those who experience it.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
My girlfriend smokes like a chimney. She’s been smoking since she was 15 years old (she’s 29 now). She told me she liked cigarettes right from the beginning. I never believed her. Maybe she is one of those people who made a lot of dopamine. I wish she would stop smoking though.
“This is an important finding for smoking cessation treatments, as it suggests that rates of nicotine addiction can be stopped or slowed considerably if medication can be developed to stop the dopamine rush in those who experience it.”
Not really sure how this would come into effect. If a smoker is already addicted, would a medication like that still work, or is it just for the initial dopamine response.
You can’t believe how relieved I was to read your article. I have been smoking for over 30 years now (more, but I won’t embarrass myself). I just LOVE smoking and it has become a part of who I am. Your information on dopamine has made me realize that I am definitely a person who would love to see how dopamine can be stopped. I used to consider myself just a person with low self-control. You have made me believe differently. Thanks so much!
As an avid (and not very tolerant) individual of smokers, I find myself humbled by your information. It’s so easy to point the finger at smokers telling them how bad it is for their health, yet I had absolutely no understanding of dopamine. I promise, going forward, to keep this in mind, and, of course, suggest hypnosis to help these people. It should be made illegal!
Smoking is an addiction and a very difficult habit to break especially if there are other issues creating any stress or anxiety in a person’s life. I have to agree with Lorne to find better ways on how dopamine can be controlled is important. They claim drugs like Wellbutrin, an antidepressant, controls the dopamine in smokers. I have met various smokers who have tried this drug and didn’t work on. More research is needed.
I understand this, so how come some smokers need a full package or more a day … and others can have one a day (but both need it … just in different quantities)?
Just today I received some advertisements for Hypnosis to stop smoking and lose weight at the same time. Is that really feasible?
Personally, I am one of those who tried it, and wasn’t interested! I grew up in a house of smokers (two parents, one older and one younger brother). ALL smoked! People just naturally assumed I smoked, as my clothes were always heavily saturated. But thais finding is certainly interesting! I am a firm believer that each person is a DIFFERENT “bag-o-chemicals,” which is why treating people, sometimes, requires different methods (one way will work on one person, but not necessarily on another!) Any others who believe this?
Yes I agree. Growing up I hung with two groups. One group smoked the other didn’t. I went between both groups fairly often and ended up smoking. Not peer pressure, just being cool and following the crowd. The other group, no one smoked, only me. I think we are a function of our surroundings and exposures. I believe if I had stayed with the other group I would not have smoked, but I didn’t, and did, and eventually stopped!!
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