Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Creating Dynamic Images of Short-lived Dopamine Fluctuations with lp-ntPET: Dopamine Movies of Cigarette Smoking
Published on: August 6, 2013
Effects of rapid smoking on post-cessation urges to smoke
1Tobacco Dependence Research Centre, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK. h.mcrobbie@ctru.auckland.ac.nz
Context:
Rapid smoking (RS) is a smoking cessation technique with sufficient indications of promise to warrant further investigation. The main presumed effect of RS is on reducing desire to smoke.
Aim:
To evaluate the effect of a single session of RS immediately prior to quitting smoking on urges to smoke over the first week of abstinence.
Design:
Randomized controlled trial.
Setting:
Specialist smoking cessation clinic (SSCC).
Participants:
A total of 100 smokers attending the quit day session.
Intervention:
Participants in the rapid smoking group underwent a single session of RS immediately prior to quitting smoking. Participants in the control group watched a health promotion video on giving up smoking.
Primary Outcome Measures:
Ratings of urges to smoke in the first 24 hours and 1 week of abstinence.
Findings:
The RS procedure was well tolerated. It led to significantly lower urges to smoke compared to the control procedure during the first 24 hours (mean rating of 2.6 versus 3.2, P < 0.001) and the first week of abstinence (1.8 versus 2.5, P < 0.01). In patients abstinent for 4 weeks, urges to smoke were low and the difference was no longer significant (1.4 versus 1.8).
Conclusion:
RS has an 'active ingredient' (craving reduction) and its effects on smoking cessation may merit further examination using modern rigorous methodology.
Related Concept Videos
Stimulants
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating sympathetic or...
Drug Dependence
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
