Does Tobacco Abstinence Decrease Reward Sensitivity? A Human Laboratory Test.

Introduction: Animal studies report abstinence from nicotine makes rewards less rewarding; however, the results of human tests of the effects of cessation on reward sensitivity are mixed. The current study tested reward sensitivity in abstinent smokers using more rigorous methods than most prior studies.

Methods: A human laboratory study compared outcomes for 1 week prior to quitting to those during 4 weeks postquit.