Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration
Published on: February 10, 2012
Cigarette smoking, nicotine addiction, and relaxation
Abstract:
In an attempt to explain the self-report of smokers that cigarette smoking is relaxing, shock endurance was used to measure the amount of anxiety experienced in a stressful situation by nonsmokers, smokers who were allowed to smoke cigarettes containing either low levels or moderately high levels of nicotine, and smokers who were not allowed to smoke a cigarette. Smokers who were deprived of cigarettes and those who smoked cigarettes containing low levels of nicotine behaved more anxiously than nonsmokers and than smokers who smoked cigarettes containing moderately high levels of nicotine, but the high-nicotine smokers behaved no less anxiously than nonsmokers. These results supported the hypothesis that the calming effect attributed to smoking a cigarette is due to the action of nicotine in ending withdrawal symptoms in addicted smokers rather than to a sedative property of cigarette smoking.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dependence
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 Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
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...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

