Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2026
Creating Dynamic Images of Short-lived Dopamine Fluctuations with lp-ntPET: Dopamine Movies of Cigarette Smoking
Published on: August 6, 2013
An investigation of cigarettes smoking behavior and nicotine dependence among Chinese methamphetamine users in two
Ziyun Wang1, Yanping Bao2, Shiyan Yan3
1School of Public Health, Peking University, No. 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China.
Objective:
To survey cigarette behaviors and nicotine dependence among Chinese MA users, explore risk factors for high nicotine dependence, and analyze the relationship between nicotine dependence and MA-related euphoria and sexual impulse.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study, applying a self-designed questionnaire with the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS), was performed among 391 MA users in Beijing and Guangdong, China.
Results:
Most MA users were smokers, including 159 having high dependence on nicotine (HD users, FTND > 5) and 197 low or medium dependent (LMD users, FTND ≤ 5). Men or married users were more likely to be highly dependent than women or unmarried users. Higher MA dose and ever-use of ketamine or alcohol were associated with higher likelihood of high nicotine dependence. HD users reported significantly higher euphoria and stronger sexual impulse after using MA, indicated by higher VAS scores.
Conclusions:
Potential risk factors for high nicotine dependence among MA users may include male gender, being married, higher MA dosage, and ever-use of ketamine or alcohol, which should be taken into consideration in individualized health promotion on smoking cessation. Severe nicotine dependence was associated with stronger MA-related euphoria and sexual impulse and it should be confirmed by further studies.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Drugs 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...
01:29Stimulants
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...