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Explanations for nicotine addiction
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Nicotine, receptors, and reward

Nicotine, receptors, and reward

Flow diagram showing nicotine entering the bloodstream, binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the VTA, stimulating dopamine neurons, increasing dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex, and showing withdrawal feeding repeat smoking

Nicotine addiction is compulsive nicotine use despite harm, and it can involve both physical dependence and psychological dependence. For this topic, the two core explanations are brain neurochemistry and learning theory.

Explanations for nicotine addiction Lesson

  1. A Level
  2. /Psychology
  3. /Explanations for nicotine addiction

Step-by-step lessons on AQA A Level Psychology Explanations for nicotine addiction. Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Start with the compulsory core topics before tackling the more evaluation-heavy optional and issues-and-debates content.