Cortisol levels decrease after acute tobacco abstinence in regular smokers

ConclusionAcute tobacco abstinence was associated with decreased cortisol levels. Cortisol dampening during acute tobacco abstinence may reflect nicotine‐mediated modulation of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity, which may be relevant to the maintenance of tobacco dependence. Tobacco‐withdrawal cortisol changes do not appear to be a cause or consequence of many manifestations of acute tobacco withdrawal with the possible exception of hunger. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Source: Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Research Article Source Type: research