Figure 3.

The potential mechanisms of the self‐medication hypothesis. Neurotransmitter dysfunction is the important pathological mechanism of schizophrenia. Nicotine binds to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are expressed in the human brain and influence neurotransmitter systems, thereby normalizing neurotransmitter dysfunction and improving disease. Red arrows indicate detrimental effects, whereas blue arrows indicate beneficial effects. Ach, acetyl choline; DA, dopamine; GABA, gamma‐aminobutyric acid; GLU, glutamic acid; nAChRs, nicotine acetylcholine receptors