EEG Alpha Correlates of Non‐Smokers, Smokers, Smoking, and Smoking Deprivation

Computer analysis of tonic EEG alpha amplitude and dominant alpha frequency was employed to test the hypotheses that relative to non‐smokers, smokers deprived of cigarettes are in a state of cortical hypo‐excitation, and that smoking induces a state of excitation comparable to that of non‐smokers. Ten non‐smokers, 17 deprived smokers and 13 non‐deprived smokers were used to record alpha activity with a right occipital‐right ear placement before and after smoking two cigarettes. Analysis of pre‐smoking activity (employing a .05 rejection region) revealed a slower dominant alpha frequency in deprived smokers relative to non‐smokers and non‐deprived smokers. Smoking increased dominant alpha frequency in deprived smokers to a level comparable to non‐smokers and non‐deprived smokers. No significant results were obtained with alpha amplitude. The significance of increased alpha frequency is discussed both in relation to present results and comparable work on humans and animals, and a suggestion is forwarded regarding smoking‐induced specific excitation (attention) and the maintenance of smoking behavior.