Aspects of nicotine utilization.

: This commentary reviews the effects of nicotine on mood and cognition in support of the drug utilization concept of Muller & Schumann (M&S). Specifically, it amplifies the concept with the nicotine utilization hypothesis (NUH), which opposes the nicotine withdrawal hypothesis (NWH). Evidence against NWH comes from changes in mood after abstinence and the performance effects of nicotine supporting drug utilization.