Modeling the effect of stress on vaping behavior among young adults: a randomized cross-over pilot study.

Introduction:
This text provides an overview of a pilot study examining the effect of stress on the reinforcing value of nicotine delivered through e-cigarettes among young adults who are experienced e-cigarette users. The study aims to validate the applicability of a human laboratory model for estimating the reinforcing value of nicotine initially developed for smokers to e-cigarette users and to determine if laboratory methods used for cigarette smoking can be extended to vaping.

Key Points:

* The study included 30 exclusive e-cigarette users between the ages of 18 and 24 who were using at least 1 mL of e-liquid per day with a nicotine concentration of at least 3mg/ml, and had used an e-cigarette for at least 3 months.
* Participants completed a sociodemographics form, tobacco-related measures, BDI, BaI, PaNaS, and PSS during an introductory session.
* The Dual Component Self-administration Task and the Trier Social Stress Task (TSST) or the control task were administered during two laboratory sessions.
* The Dual Component Self-administration Task included a delay period and a self-administration period, and the TSST or the control task was administered before the task.
* Puff topography, heart rate, craving, and stress were measured throughout the laboratory session.
* The study found that exposure to a stressor did not undermine the ability to resist vaping among deprived e-cigarette users, but it influenced the number of uses purchased once users decided to vape.
* The study also found that baseline correlates of time to lapse were significantly correlated with gender and nicotine concentration in e-liquid.

Main Message:
The study provides evidence that the human laboratory model for estimating the reinforcing value of nicotine can be applied to e-cigarette users, and that the Dual Component Self-administration Task is a useful tool for examining the effects of stress on vaping behavior. The study also highlights the importance of considering individual differences and baseline correlates in future studies on vaping behavior. Overall, the findings suggest that laboratory methods used for cigarette smoking can be extended to vaping, and that further research is needed to better understand the motivational effects of stress on vaping behavior.

Pericot-Valverde I, heo M, Litwin ah, Niu J, Gaalema DE. Modeling the effect of stress on vaping behavior among young adults: a randomized cross-over pilot study. Drug and alcohol dependence. 2021;225:108798. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108798