Rapid Smoking Research Articles

Aversion therapy issues: A note of clarification

A brief reply to Berecz's (1973) note on aversion therapy is presented.Several key arguments are evaluated and alternative views are proposed. It is suggested that rapid smoking is not contraindicated by punishment theory, that Berecz's discussion of aversion therapy overemphasizes the punishment paradigm, and that Wilson and Divison's (1969) argument in favor of the topographical similarity between target response and aversive stimulus requires consideration. That research must include independent assessment of aversive stimuli is acknowledged, but the citations Berecz provides to illustrate this point are found to be inappropriate. Finally, the clinical utility of parametric studies on the psychophysiological nature of aversiveness is questioned.

Punishment, placebos, psychophysiology, and polemics in aversion therapy: A reply to danaher and lichtenstein

Danaher and Lichtenstein's (1973) comments on aversion therapy are briefly evaluated. It is suggested that they underestimate the importance of conditions of original training relative to the modification of smoking behavior using the “rapid smoking” method, confound the issues of endogenous cues and topographial similarity, blur important distinctions among various kinds of placebo control groups, incorrectly imply that attention to the qualitative aspects of aversive stimuli necessitates a psychophysiological methodology, and erroneously evaluate the clinical utility of parametric studies. It is emphasized that most of these issues can be empirically resolved if investigators utilize more precise experimental designs.

Rapid Smoking as a Technique of Behavior Modification: Caution in Selection of Subjects.

Rapid Smoking as a Technique of Behavior Modification: Caution in Selection of Subjects.

Therapy determined by assessment in the modification of smoking: A case study

The present study demonstrates that effectiveness of techniques to reduce smoking depends on matching the treatment to the client. Self control and the rapid smoking of cigarettes were used to reduce the smoking behavior of a 52-yr-old female. The self-control technique brought about an immediate and stable reduction of smoking to within one-third of base line, while the introduction of the rapid smoking technique resulted in a gradual reduction to zero. Follow-up information (3 and 6 months) revealed a slight regression to base line.

Circulatory effect of cigarette smoking, with special reference to the effect on cerebral hemodynamics.

The circulatory effect of cigarette smoking on cerebral hemodynamics, blood pressure and pulse rate were investigated in four normal young men and eight elderly patients with mild diseases, all habitual tobacco smokers (10-20 cigarettes daily). (1) Decrease in cerebral vascular resistance (dilatation of cerebral blood vessel) and increase in cerebral blood flow were observed in all subjects with the ordinary smoking. On the other hand, blood pressure and pulse rate did not change or slightly increased. (2) A conspicuous increase in cerebral hemodynamic, blood pressure and pulse rate were observed in the elderly subjects with rapid smoking. (3) It is suggested that the cerebral circulatory effect of tobacco smoking is mainly due to the direct effect of nicotine, since a significant correlation is not observed between cerebral hemodynamic and blood pressure with ordinary smoking.