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Hard to follow this. Do you mean the lack of nicotine causes stress during withdrawal? Of course it does, but that doesn't mean a person can't get a net overall decrease in stress by smoking regularly. I'm not suggesting it of course, but I can understand the personal motivation of someone who does.

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The nicotine levels rapidly decrease just minutes after smoking and stress levels are beginning to climb in response until you smoke another cigarette. The cycle repeats and the average stress levels over time than for a non-smoker. If you're addicted you always stress about when you are getting your next dose of nicotine.

What about non-regular smokers? Anecdotally I smoke once a month to once a year (sometimes not cigarettes but vape, hookah, cigars) and feel the stress relief without going into cycles. Even when I was semi-regularly vaping nicotine heavy liquid it wasn't because of _need_ to get the next dose, but the distinct relief.

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