The purpose of this study is to evaluate how certain childhood experiences influences brain function and responses to nicotine exposure in a group of nonsmoking young adults. The investigators assess responses to nicotine exposure by giving participants a small amount of nicotine or placebo, and then asking them to answer questionnaires. The investigational drugs used in this study are a nicotine nasal spray (i.e., Nicotrol) and/or a nasal spray placebo (made of common kitchen ingredients, including a very tiny amount of pepper extract also called capsaicin). The investigators assess brain function through function magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which is a noninvasive procedure that uses a magnetic field to take pictures of your brain while you are performing certain tasks. This study will help us to learn more about why some childhood experiences (adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs) contribute to increased risk for smoking and other substance use.
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Subjective effects of nicotine nasal spray as measured by the Nicotine Effects Questionnaire
Timeframe: during fixed dose session, approximately 3 hrs
Subjective effects of nicotine nasal spray as measured by a visual analog scale
Timeframe: during fixed dose session, approximately 3 hrs
Reinforcing effects of nicotine nasal spray
Timeframe: during choice session, approximately 4 hrs
Percent BOLD signal change in ventral striatum
Timeframe: baseline, prior to intervention
Percent BOLD signal change in inferior frontal gyrus
Timeframe: baseline, prior to intervention