Tobacco smoking and nicotine neuropsychopharmacology: some future research directions

Although nicotine is acknowledged as the major pharmacologically active chemical in tobacco that accounts for its continued use, there is a need for much further research. It is necessary to systematically compare the complex pharmacological actions of pure nicotine with those of tobacco, using different routes of administration and, therefore, rates of absorption. Tobacco smoking produces several important behavioral and central nervous system effects. More research is needed to determine the role of nicotine versus the many other substances present in tobacco smoke. Although nicotine is the primary pharmacological agent in tobacco that maintains its use, other chemicals and their biological mechanisms involved in tobacco smoking need to be studied further.