Beta-Adrenergic Modulation of Drug Cue Reactivity

Inclusion Criteria

• Generally healthy
• Age 21-60
• Right-handed using a three-item scale
• Daily smoker of ≥ 5 cigarettes/day delivering 0.5 mg nicotine (FTC)
• Smoking regularly for ≥ 1 year, with stable smoking for the past 6 months
• Afternoon expired Carbon Monoxide (CO) concentration ≥ 6 ppm and/or morning urinary cotinine >100 ng/ml
• Must identity at least 4 different smoking locations used in a typical week
• Able to read and understand English

Exclusion Criteria

• Inability to attend all required sessions
• Significant health problems that would preclude active participation
• Presence of conditions that would make MRI unsafe (e.g. pacemaker) or (e.g. weight and body shape)
• Current use of psychoactive medications/drugs as indicated by self-report or urine screen
• Positive breath alcohol concentration
• Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the course of the study (females)
• Problems with vision that cannot be corrected with contacts or glasses
• Current regular use of smokeless tobacco, smoking cessation medications, or other nicotine containing products (e.g. electronic cigarettes)
• Current use of beta-adrenergic medications (e.g. beta-blockers) or other blood pressure medications
• Systolic blood pressure \< 90 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \< 60 mmHg (sitting or standing)
• Abnormal EKG
• Presence of severe anemia
• Presence of electrolyte imbalance that could impact blood pressure
• Presence of any other contraindications for propranolol or nicotine patch (e.g. cardiovascular disease, bronchial asthma, prior allergic reactions, diabetes)