Effects of Withdrawal From Nicotine Versus Electronic Cigarette Fluid on Intracranial Self-Stimulation in Rats

Abstract

Nicotine is known to create averse withdrawal after dependence is gained. It is hypothesized that electronic cigarette fluid would cause even worse effects, as they contain undisclosed added constituents. The understanding of the other constituents effect on the withdrawal of the drug is important to further understand the addictive qualities of such constituents. Electronic cigarettes are not currently regulated by the FDA and electronic cigarette companies do not disclose what added constituents are present in their fluids. The aim of this study was to determine if the other constituents played a major role in tobacco dependence by observing the rats through intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) threshold in rats by forcing dependence and then withdrawal symptoms onto the rats. This study did not show any major differences between pure nicotine and electronic cigarette fluids, leading to the conclusion that nicotine is the major component in addiction, as well as withdrawal from the drugs. The results do represent enough unknown factors that show that the drugs need to continue being studied in order to place more restrictions by the FDA.