The real reason smoking seems more relieving when you are stressed is simple yet greatly overlooked. Ammonia in tobacco makes the smoke alkaline, which helps the nicotine (an alkaloid) to be absorbed faster. Stress produces acid, so nicotine is metabolised faster and the smoker goes into fast withdrawal. The sense of increased relief from a cigarette is a psychological trick, it feels like its helping the stress when in fact its doing nothing to change your circumstances. Stress is there to remind you to do something about it. This is why smokers end up depressed, and with a lower quality of life. Nicotine is actually a stimulant, it makes you more stressed and increases blood pressure. As if being a slave to a chemical wasn't stressful enough. Wake up!