Effects of nicotine on sleep architecture and ventilatory parameters: Results of the Tab-OSA cross-sectional observational study.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional observational study
PubMed 41197178 · doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2025.106894
What was done
The Tab-OSA cross-sectional observational study compared polysomnography (PSG) sleep architecture and ventilatory parameters across 160 participants divided into four groups: active smokers (AS), former smokers (FS), non-smokers (NS), and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) users beyond the post-cessation withdrawal period. The analysis controlled for psychiatric and medical comorbidities, treatments, and substance use.
What was found
N3 (deep slow-wave sleep) duration was significantly reduced in NRT users by approximately 32.3 minutes compared to NS (p < .001) and by 28.09 minutes compared to FS (p = .004). In AS, N3 was reduced by approximately 20.49 minutes compared to NS, but this did not reach statistical significance (p = .32). N3 duration was not reduced in FS. NRT users showed increased microarousals and greater subjective sleep complaints. Ventilatory findings included decreased snoring in NRT users compared to AS, and decreased mean nocturnal oxygen saturation (SpO2) in AS.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that nicotine itself, independent of cigarette smoke combustion, reduces deep slow-wave sleep, but these alterations may be reversible after complete smoking cessation.
Limits
The study is cross-sectional and observational, preventing causal conclusions. The reduction in N3 sleep in active smokers was not statistically significant (p = .32), and specific group sample sizes, NRT formulations, and nicotine dosages were not reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- partial A 2025 study in Sleep Medicine found that nicotine users had 32 minutes less deep sleep per night than non-users.