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Cigarettes Have Calming Effect on Brain Metabolism  

LITTLE FALLS, N.J., April 24 -- Brain scans have revealed that nicotine does indeed have a calming effect, something smokers have claimed for years.

A small study found that nicotine administered via a patch was associated with a reduced tendency to retaliate against an opponent during a game, Jean Gehricke, M.D., of the University of California Irvine, and colleagues reported online in Behavioral and Brain Functions.

Those who held back also showed changes in brain metabolism. Dr. Gehricke said length of retaliation was "associated with changes in brain metabolism in response to nicotine in brain areas responsible for orienting, planning, and processing of emotional stimuli."

The findings support the idea that people with an angry disposition are more susceptible to nicotine's effects and are therefore more likely to become addicted to cigarettes, the researchers said. . . .

Primary source: Behavioral and Brain Functions Source reference: Gehricke JG, et al "Nicotine-induced brain metabolism associated with anger provocation" Behav Brain Func 2009; DOI: 10.1186/1744-9081-5-19.

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