BBC: `Smoking alters brain

A new study shows that smoking can create the same effects on the brain that illicit drugs do.

The researchers from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Nida) looked at samples of human brain tissue from the nucleus accumbens and the ventral midbrain - brain regions that play a part in controlling addictive behaviours.

Smokers were found to have higher levels of these enzymes in the nucleus accumbens, a part of the brain that processes information related to motivation and reward, which virtually all illicit drugs act upon.

But levels of both enzymes were also found to be high in the area of the midbrain that responds to dopamine, which acts as a "reward chemical" in smokers and former smokers.

Paul, you should think about quiting. I know it will dampen one of the cool aspect of your persona, but you might be better off.