Arousing and De-Arousing Effects of Cigarette Smoking Under Conditions of Stress and Mild Sensory Isolation

The arousing and de-arousing effects of smoking a 1.3 mg nicotine delivery cigarette, measured by changes in electrodermal, heart rate and EEG alpha responding, were examined under conditions of stress, induced by aversive white noise, and mild sensory isolation. Compared with sham smokers and a situation control group, smokers showed significant arousal elevations in all response systems under sensory isolation conditions, but mixed stimulant (heart rate response) and depressant (EEG, skin conductance response) effects under stress conditions. Possible reasons for these differential effects are suggested.