Chronic oral nicotine exposure decreases aversive taste of nicotine, increases nicotine withdrawal and reinstatement, but cherry flavor does not alter nicotine’s effects in adolescent rats.

The study found that chronic oral nicotine exposure decreases aversive taste of nicotine and increases nicotine withdrawal and reinstatement in adolescent rats. however, cherry flavoring (benzaldehyde) did not alter nicotine's effects. The study highlights the importance of understanding the effects of nicotine and flavorings on adolescents, as e-cigarette use among youth is a recognized epidemic. The findings suggest that flavored e-cigarettes may increase the appeal and use of nicotine products among adolescents, and further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of chronic nicotine and flavor exposure in this population.

Bagdas D, harris L, addy Na. Chronic oral nicotine exposure decreases aversive taste of nicotine, increases nicotine withdrawal and reinstatement, but cherry flavor does not alter nicotine’s effects in adolescent rats. Neuroscience letters. 2023;793:137008. doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2022.137008