CAFFEINE AND NICOTINE - A REVIEW OF THEIR JOINT USE AND POSSIBLE INTERACTIVE EFFECTS IN TOBACCO WITHDRAWAL

There is a strong, significant relationship between coffee consumption and smoking. In six epidemiological studies reviewed and analyzed her e, 86.4% of smokers consumed coffee versus 77.2% of nonsmokers. Exsmok ers use more coffee than nonsmokers but somewhat less than smokers. Se venteen experimental studies suggest that the pharmacologic effect of caffeine in coffee may be partially but not totally responsible for th e relationship. Conditioning, a reciprocal interaction (caffeine intak e increases anxiety/arousal-nicotine decreases it), or joint effect of a third variable (e.g.. stress. alcohol) may account for the relation ship. In abstinent smokers, blood caffeine levels increase and remain elevated for as long as 6 months. These higher caffeine plasma levels may be sufficient to produce caffeine toxicity syndrome. A review of 8 6 studies of nicotine withdrawal, caffeine withdrawal, and caffeine to xicity suggests that the symptoms are similar enough to be confused, a nd that reported nicotine withdrawal symptoms may be a mixture of nico tine withdrawal and caffeine toxicity.