Nicotine and smoking: A review of effects on human performance.

Abstract

We thank Mary Pfeiffer, Janeen Nichels, and Bruce Lewis for assistance in obtaining, organizing, and typing references and four anonymous reviewers for their extensive and constructive comments.

Smoking History and Nicotine Effects on Cognitive Performance

“…The two others, the Two-Back and Three-Back Tasks, were included, because they test working memory, which is reportedly influenced by acute exposure to nicotine in animals and humans (Heishman et al 1994;Levin et al 1997;Levin 1992;Decker et al 1995). …”

“…Tobacco and nicotine have complex effects on human performance, determined, in part, by whether a research subject is in a state of tobacco deprivation (i.e., nicotine withdrawal) (Heishman et al 1994). In nicotine-dependent individuals, tobacco deprivation can impair attentional and cognitive abilities within 12 h of smoking cessation (Bell et al 1999;Gross et al 1993;Lyvers et al 1994), and nicotine administration or cigarette smoking can reverse such deficits to predeprivation performance levels (Bell et al 1999;Parrott and Roberts 1991).…”

“…In nicotine-dependent individuals, tobacco deprivation can impair attentional and cognitive abilities within 12 h of smoking cessation (Bell et al 1999;Gross et al 1993;Lyvers et al 1994), and nicotine administration or cigarette smoking can reverse such deficits to predeprivation performance levels (Bell et al 1999;Parrott and Roberts 1991). Whether improved performance associated with relief from withdrawal should be considered cognitive enhancement has been questioned (Heishman et al 1994;Hughes 1991). True enhancement may be most clearly demonstrated when nicotine or smoking facilitates performance in nonsmokers or in nonabstinent smokers (Heishman 1998;Heishman et al 1994).…”

“…Whether improved performance associated with relief from withdrawal should be considered cognitive enhancement has been questioned (Heishman et al 1994;Hughes 1991). True enhancement may be most clearly demonstrated when nicotine or smoking facilitates performance in nonsmokers or in nonabstinent smokers (Heishman 1998;Heishman et al 1994). …”

“…Relatively few placebo-controlled studies have examined the acute effects of smoking or nicotine (Heishman 1998;Heishman et al 1994;Sherwood 1993). The results have been discrepant, including improved performance in motor responses, sustained attention, and recognition memory, but no effect or impairment in selective attention, conditioned learning, and recall mem-ory.…”