Smoking-related subjective and physiological changes: pre- to postpuff and pre- to postcigarette

Twenty-six female regular smokers participated in two sessions, smoking a cigarette and drinking for comparison a cup of coffee in each. Cardiovascular, electromyogram (EMG), motor activity, and electroencephalogram (EEG) parameters were assessed before and after smoking a cigarette or drinking a cup of coffee. The same variables were averaged for 5-s periods preceding, during, and following the first six puffs and sips. As the expected psychophysiological changes might be related to pleasure, the experimental design included both pleasant-tasting coffee and cigarettes and preparations manipulated to be unpleasant. Comparing pre/post consumption and pre/post puffing changes, heart rate increased as expected pre/post a cigarette but not pre/post puffing. On the other hand, there was no change in heart rate pre/post a cup of coffee but a transient increase pre/post sipping. The pre/post puffing and pre/post sipping changes in the EEG power distribution were similar for both drugs, occurred already in anticipation of puffing and sipping, and qualitatively suggested sedation as opposed to the pre/post cigarette arousing effects. These results might explain the observations of subjective tranquilizing effects during the consumption of a stimulant. Although the taste manipulations produced significant subjective effects, they did not influence the anticipatory effects.