EVALUATION OF THE INFORMATION-PROCESSING AND MOOD EFFECTS OF A TRANSDERMAL NICOTINE PATCH

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a transdermal nicot ine patch will produce the same effects on performance and mood as cig arette smoking. The nicotine patch improved attentional processing and produced some improvements in memory. It produced the calming effects of smoking and induced feelings of happiness which were increased wit h smoking. These effects were obtained 6h after application of the pat ch, showing that acute tolerance for these behavioural effects had not developed completely, if at all, after exposure to nicotine, although it is still possible that tolerance might occur with longer exposure.