This phenomenon is well described and summarized in a paper by Nora Volkow, titled: Decreased Reward Sensitivity and Increased Expectation Sensitivity Conspire to Overwhelm the Brains Control Circuit. The counteradaptation model postulates that the initial positive feelings of reward resulting from the use of a drug are followed by an opposing rather than synchronous development of tolerance that is manifested by the appearance of withdrawal associated with the lack of the substance
A 2016 study found that within 4 weeks of quitting smoking, with or without NRT, that suPAR levels in 48 former smokers had fallen from a baseline smoking median of 3.2 ng/ml to levels "no longer significantly different from the never smokers' values" (1.9 ng/ml) 8 weeks Insulin resistance in smokers has normalized despite average weight gain of 2.7 kg (2010 SGR, page 384)
Wong JA, Pickworth WB, Waters AJ, alAbsi M, Leventhal AM
Based on the number of innovations we found in this study, we would encourage all governments considering implementing plain packaging legislation to consider how tobacco companies have adapted to the legislation in other countries and where possible, close any remaining loopholes.