Nicotine research: Nicotine builds gradually in brain

Scientists have found that when smokers take a puff, the nicotine level in the brain doesn't spike right away. Instead, they find, nicotine builds up gradually in the brain -- in a process taking several minutes.

Jed Rose of Duke University says scientists had believed that there's a spike of nicotine in the brain about seven seconds after each puff. But until now, no measurements had been taken.

Rose's lab is working on a mist inhaler that could deliver nicotine without any combustion.

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