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

Inclusion Criteria: 1. male; 2. 18-65 years old; 3. smoked an average of at least 10 cigarettes per day for three cumulative or continuous years of a brand that delivers (by Federal Trade Commission rated yields) at least 0.5 mg nicotine; 4. afternoon expired carbon monoxide reading of at least 10 ppm; 5. in general good health, based on physical examination, EKG serum chemistries, CBC and urinalysis. 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.