Effects of Progesterone on IV Nicotine-Induced Changes in Hormones and Subjective Ratings of Stimulant Drug Effect

Inclusion Criteria: * Women between the ages of 18 and 40 who currently smoke at least 15 cigarettes every day, and who fulfill DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for nicotine dependence will be eligible for participation. * No evidence of clinically significant disease based upon complete medical history and physical examination supervised by Dr. Arthur Siegel (Chief of Internal Medicine). * Absence of DSM-IV Axis I Disorders other than nicotine dependence (305.10) as measured by the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID). * Routine laboratory blood tests including complete blood count, electrolytes, BUN and creatinine, liver function tests, hepatitis panel and urinalysis will be performed. Laboratory parameters must be within the normal range. HBsAg must be negative but subjects who have hepatitis serology consistent with previous exposure to Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C, but who do not have clinical and biochemical evidence of acute infection, will be acceptable. * Hematocrit levels ≥ 35% for females. * Serum pregnancy test (hCG beta subunit) results must be negative within 24 hrs of the study session day. * Normal EKG. * A Body Mass Index (BMI-ratio of weight (W) to height (H) squared; W/H2=kg/m2) of between 18.0 and 27.0 for women. * Subjects must be able to read and understand instructions, as well as provide a valid informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants with any lifetime DSM-IV Axis I disorder other than nicotine dependence. * Participants with clin…