It is difficult to get a clear
grasp of the relationship between nicotine and the endocrine system. This is due to the huge variety in research
on different hormones, different types of administration, varying doses, and withdrawal
and abstinence. However, nicotine and endocrinology
have a relationship that must be further explored. This research may be able to contribute to
understanding nicotine use behavior, as well as grasping differences between
those who quit smoking and those relapse.
The more factors that can be identified to explain the difference
between those two groups improves the chances of developing interventions and
medications to target these systems and provide opportunities individuals for successful
cessation attempts.
Manbeck, Shelley, Schmidt, and Harris (2014) reported an effect of oxytocin on blocking somatic symptoms associated with nicotine withdrawal, but not negative affect. However, reducing somatic symptoms may attenuate anhedonia in some individuals, or pairing oxytocin with a pharmacological smoking cessation agent with antidepressive effects such as bupropion may yield positive results. Additionally, the association of peptide YY with lower craving and increased positive affect in abstinent smokers may serve as useful information for smoking cessation (al’Absi et al., 2014). Lastly, a greater understanding of ovarian hormones and how they can influence nicotine-related behaviors may help determine why some individuals have a greater sensitivity to the effects of nicotine.
Research on nicotine use and behavior as related to the endocrine system should solidify established concepts and expand upon them. The fluctuations in hormones at different time point can potentially help to explain differences in cessation success amongst a variety of individuals. Additionally, the array of implicated hormones should be considered when an individual is deciding to make a quit attempt. Future research should involve manipulating hormones in animal models with the goal of decreasing the desire to obtain nicotine. However, until the mechanisms through which hormones may manipulate the effects of nicotine, and how nicotine affects hormonal systems, practical application of the findings in the literature is limited.
