Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) - antagonist substitution (1)
> aim - to provide nicotine from a less harmful source eg. patches, gum
> NRT stimulates the nicotine receptors and activates the brains reward pathway through the release of dopamine to stimulate the receptors in the nucleus accumbens creating the same pleasurable feeling as smoking a cigarette does.
> This can lead to a reduction in the nicotine withdrawal symptoms and stops cravings
> The reduction in the withdrawal symptoms removes the unpleasant circumstances of quitting smoking - use of NRT is negatively reinforced
