Alcohol magnifies the rewarding effects of smoking, even for light smokers
...smoking and alcohol drinking. Although cigarette craving is thought to be a factor involved in alcohol/smo...that the main mechanism by which alcohol increases craving may be related to the immediate, positively reinforcing effects of nicotine," said Rose, "rather tha...Chromium picolinate linked with reduced carbohydrate cravings in people with atypical depression
...hromium picolinate patients with high carbohydrate craving versus 33 percent of those receiving placebo had s...group reporting the highest levels of carbohydrate craving showed significantly greater improvements than the placebo group on overall HAM-D-29 scores. These ...A recipe for overeating: Studies outline dangers of mixing stress, deprivation and tempting foods
...been in a "hedonic deprivation state," essentially craving something good and rewarding. The research underscores how what is viewed as an unhealthy behavior (indulging in palatable foods, which are cheap, convenient and often high in fat and sugar) may have its roots in the need to survive. It suggests th...Johns Hopkins study suggests link between caffeine dependence and family history of alcoholism
...ncy.Withdrawal symptoms, functional impairment and craving were cited by the women as reasons they could not cut out or cut back on caffeine use. None of the women had a current alcohol-use diagnosis, and none had been treated for alcohol problems. "Results of this study suggest that genetic vulnerability r...Penn study reveals prevalence of night eating syndrome among people with psychiatric conditions
...creened using a questionnaire to assess hunger and craving patterns, percentage of calories consumed following the evening meal, insomnia and awakenings, nocturnal food cravings and ingestions, and mood. Those who scored above cutoff on the questionnaire were then interviewed by phone and diagnosed with nig...Genetics plays role in relapse of illicit drug-seeking behavior
...ger to use as a target for developing ways to curb craving and subsequent relapse. His studies focus on an area of the brain called the nucleus accumbens core, a target for drugs of abuse long considered a pleasure center, Dr. Kruzich says. Drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine stimulate release of dopam...Team discovers possible 'universal strategy' to combat addiction
...reward process including the process that induces craving and withdrawal. The study, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, looked at nicotine and THC (the active ingredient in marijuana). However, Zhang says the results could also hol...UCSF research pinpoints brain molecule's role in developing addiction
...itry of addiction for new medicines to counter the craving for drugs of abuse, or to prevent relapse." Studies have shown that addicts seek treatment during periods of abstinence. The team's demonstration of orexin's ability to counter cocaine-craving in mice suggests its promise in preventing cured addicts...Strength of cocaine cravings linked to brain response
DALLAS March 14, 2006 Rats that have a strong craving for cocaine have a different biochemical response ...ules that activate D1 are believed to decrease the craving response, while D2 activators are believed to increase it. Both of the receptors bind to the neurot...Researchers discover link between expectancy, visual cues and the desire to smoke
...smoke affects their brain more than their level of craving or how long they have gone without a cigarette. T...g cues, even if the subject reported an equivalent craving level. "Although the effect of exposure to drug-associated cues has been studied with various drugs...Pitt study offers new hope for people trying to quit smoking
...e 324 participants recorded exactly when they were craving a cigarette and if and when they lapsed and smoked one. The resulting data showed that people who wore the active patch after lapsing were 4 to 6 times less likely to "cheat" again and again. The nicotine patch not only helped prevent slips, but also...New kind of drug could increase number who quit smoking
...ors. This reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms and craving and may also prevent a lapse from turning into a full relapse. Existing quit smoking methods have limited success and studies have found that some 18 per cent of people using them will be smoke free after a year, compared with 10 per cent of people p...Blood test predicts success of quitting smoking using the nicotine patch
...otine, which was associated with higher amounts of craving and greater difficulty in quitting cigarettes using the nicotine patch. The smokers who participated in the study quit smoking and started using either the patch or the nicotine nasal spray for eight weeks. Measurements of carbon monoxide levels in e...Stress, alcoholics, and post-traumatic stress disorder
...ls with alcohol dependence without PTSD, alcohol craving and disruption of the HPA axis response were assoc...r may be positively associated with stress-related craving and drinking in alcohol-dependent individuals." "In this group," added Adinoff, "some of these subje...Study links effects of withdrawal to compulsive drug use and craving
...es of aversive drug withdrawal may also drive drug craving and relapse." This line of research has the potent...g biology, we may be able to block it to eliminate craving and prevent relapse among drug addicts," Kenny said....Enhanced brain response to smoking cues found in African American compared with caucasian smokers
...Caucasians, are less likely to succeed. "Cigarette craving is an important challenge that smokers face when trying to quit smoking, and those with more intense cravings are more likely to relapse back to smoking," Okuyemi said. Craving can be elicited through smoking-related cues, such as seeing others smoke...Study reveals biochemical signature of cocaine craving in humans
... brain chemistry that underlies such "cue-induced" craving in cocaine addicts. The work, which appears in the...for medications aimed at treating addiction. "Drug craving triggered by cues, such as the sight, smell, and other sensory stimuli associated with a particular ...Studies indicate medication can be an effective therapy for smoking cessation
...se of the chemical dopamine in the brain to reduce craving and withdrawal while simultaneously blocking the r...upropion SR (16.1 percent). Varenicline reduced craving and withdrawal and, for those who smoked while receiving study drug, also reduced smoking satisfacti...Imaging study may help point toward more effective smoking cessation treatments
...f, three puffs, one full cigarette, or until their craving was satisfied (2 and one-half to three cigarettes)...and addiction than previously thought. "Although craving was only reduced with near total occupancy of these receptors, there remains the question of whether...New medication appears effective in helping smokers kick the habit
...se through week 52. The significant reductions in craving and in some of the rewarding effects of smoking seen with varenicline tartrate, 1 milligram twice daily, may assist in promoting abstinence and preventing relapse," they conclude. (Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:1561-1568. Available pre-embargo to the me...