Stress and arousal rhythms in cigarette smokers, deprived smokers, and non‐smokers

摘要

AbstractFeelings of stress and arousal were assessed in sedative smokers (N= 26), stimulant smokers (N= 14), nicotinedeprived smokers (N= 14), and non‐smokers (N= 22). The self‐rating questionnaire was completed every 2 hours, from waking until late evening. Feelings of anxiety/stress decreased over the day in non‐smokers, and both groups of smokers, but increased in deprived smokers (group × time interactions:p<0.001). This demonstrates the anxiogenic effects of nicotine deprivation, and confirms that one major reason for smoking is to avoid the deleterious effects of nicotine deprivation. While average daily stress levels did not differ significantly between smokers and non‐smokers, both groups of smokers started the day with higher stress than non‐smokers, but ended the day with slightly lower stress (group × time interactions:p<0.001). Thus the gradual accumulation of nicotine does have anxiolytic effects. The arousal findings were complex, with different circadian patterns found across all