Sensation seekers have a tendency to seek new and intense sensations and experiences.
Sensation seeking may be related to risk of becoming a smoker because these people experience greater positive as well as averse effects from nicotine. Perkins said that over time, these people become tolerant to the adverse effects of nicotine and may be able to tolerate higher doses. The results might help to develop programs that target teens who smoke, the researchers suggest. Perkins, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania, and colleagues determined sensation-seeking elements of personality through a questionnaire. The investigators measured physiological responses to nicotine, such as heart rate and blood pressure, after individuals used a nasal nicotine spray at varying doses on three occasions.