The Effects of One-Time Pregnenolone, Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), or Placebo Administration On Withdrawal Symptoms, Mood, Craving And Cigarette Evaluation Ratings In Male Smokers

Exclusion Criteria

• •1. Participants must not have uncontrolled hypertension (systolic \>140 mm Hg, diastolic \>95 mm Hg)
• •2. hypotension (systolic \<90 mm Hg, diastolic \<60 mm Hg);
• •3. coronary heart disease;
• •4. heart attack;
• •5. cardiac rhythm disorder (irregular heart rhythm);
• •6. chest pains (unless history, exam, and EKG clearly indicate a non-cardiac source);
• •7. cardiac (heart) disorder (including but not limited to valvular heart disease, heart murmur, heart failure);
• •8. liver or kidney disorder (except kidney stones, gallstones);
• •9. gastrointestinal problems or disease other than gastroesophageal reflux,
• •10. heartburn, or irritable bowel syndrome;
• •11. ulcers within the past 6 months;
• •12. lung disorder (including but not limited to COPD, emphysema, and asthma);
• •13. brain abnormality (including but not limited to, stroke, brain tumor, seizure disorder);
• •14. history of fainting;
• •15. problems giving blood samples;
• •16. diabetes;
• •17. current cancer or treatment for cancer in the past 6 months (except basal or squamous cell skin cancer);
• •18. other major medical condition;
• •19. major depression, panic disorder, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, risk of suicide, or substance dependence other than nicotine dependence;
• •20. subjects who endorse suicidal ideation on the MINI abridged;
• •21. alcohol or drugs abuse;
• •22. reported use of illicit drugs within the past 30 days, or if the drug screen is positive;
• •23. reported use of smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff), cigars, pipes, or nicotine replacement therapy; testosterone replacement therapy, DHEA or Pregnenolone; experimental (investigational) drugs; psychiatric medications (including antidepressants, anti-anxiety agents. anti-psychotics), sleep aids, medications that increase DHEA and/or DHEA-S concentrations (including, but not limited to: diltiazem, benfluorex, amlodipine, alprazolam, danazol, metformin, nitrendipine and retinol), or any other medications that are known to affect smoking (e.g. clonidine, muscle relaxants, opiate pain medications) within the past 2 weeks.