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Nicotine derived from the electronic cigarette improves time-based prospective memory in abstinent smokers

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Abstract

Rationale

It is well established that nicotine improves, and deprivation impairs, cognitive performance and mood in smokers. Prospective memory (PM), remembering to execute a delayed intention at a given time point, is under-explored in smokers. Whilst a handful of studies have shown improved PM with nicotine, the effects of nicotine delivered via the electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) have not been investigated.

Objective

This study explores whether, by comparison with placebo, nicotine delivered via the e-cigarette can improve PM, tobacco withdrawal symptoms and desire to smoke in abstinent smokers.

Methods

Twenty smokers, abstinent for 8–10 h, each completed two experimental sessions under nicotine (18 mg) and placebo (0 mg) e-cigarette conditions. Participants completed a single-item desire-to-smoke scale and the Mood and Physical Symptoms Scale. PM was measured using the Cambridge Prospective Memory Test.

Results

Compared with placebo, the nicotine e-cigarette reduced the desire to smoke and tobacco withdrawal symptoms, and improved time-based but not event-based PM. There was a moderate, marginally significant negative correlation between PM performance during abstinence and nicotine dependence.

Conclusions

This is the first study to show that nicotine derived via e-cigarette can improve PM in abstinent smokers, suggesting efficient nicotine delivery. The finding that the effect of nicotine was restricted to time-based rather than event-based PM is consistent with the view that nicotine acts to improve performance on strategic (effortful) rather than automatic processing. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that the e-cigarette can replace some of the effects of nicotine derived from tobacco smoking, thus highlighting its potential for smoking cessation.

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Funding

None

Conflict of interest

The first author has a collaborative relationship with Totally Wicked E-Liquids (TWEL), who provided the electronic cigarettes for this study. TWEL had no involvement in the design, conduct or write-up of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, University of East London, Water Lane, Stratford, London, E15 4LZ, UK

    Lynne Dawkins, John Turner & Eadaoin Crowe

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  1. Lynne Dawkins
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  2. John Turner
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  3. Eadaoin Crowe
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lynne Dawkins.

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Dawkins, L., Turner, J. & Crowe, E. Nicotine derived from the electronic cigarette improves time-based prospective memory in abstinent smokers. Psychopharmacology 227, 377–384 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-013-2983-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-013-2983-2

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