Dynamic EEG changes during cigarette smoking.

Electroencephalograms were monitored before, during and after smoking a single cigarette. Quantitative analysis indicated that smoking produced a characteristic psychostimulant profile involving power reductions in delta and theta and increases in both alpha power and peak alpha frequency. Puff-by-puff analysis yielded similar patterns with the effects emerging by the fourth puff. Delta reductions were evident during the act of puffing and following inhalation. The results are discussed in relation to motivational theories of smoking.