BOSTON, Massachusetts (Ivanhoe Newswire) – According to the National Institutes of Health, 5.6 million American adults smoke e-cigarettes, using electronic devices to inhale nicotine and flavor vapors. And just like smoking cigarettes, e-cigarettes can become a difficult habit for some people. Researchers are currently conducting clinical trials of plant-based products tested on cigarette smokers to see if they can help people who are addicted to e-cigarettes.
Michael Warner was in college when he started smoking an e-cigarette almost every hour. Werner quickly realized he was addicted to nicotine, but he hated the sickness of e-cigarettes.
“It’s hard to be completely in the moment unless you’re using your device in the moment,” says Werner.
Nancy Rigotti, MD, is Director of the Tobacco Research and Treatment Division at Massachusetts General Hospital. After years of declining tobacco use, 1 in 10 young adults Age 18 to 24, currently smoking e-cigarettes.
“Some people can quit smoking, but many have problems,” says Dr. Rigotti.
She and her colleagues use text messaging, behavioral counseling, and pharmacotherapy to help young adults who want to quit nicotine. testing for the drug citisinicline Made from the plant of the same name.
“The drug itself is very similar to one of the smoking cessation drugs called varenicline or Chantix, which means it works similarly, but we know it has fewer side effects,” Dr. Rigotti explained. increase.
citisinicline It is believed to block the rush from nicotine and reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Michael Warner finally quit by quitting e-cigarettes. He currently works as a clinical research coordinator, helping others quit their nicotine habit.
Werner says, “I’ve talked to a lot of people who are recovering from drugs and alcohol, and they’ll tell me over and over again, this is the hardest drug to quit.”
After clinical trials, researchers hope e-cigarette users trying to quit will have one more option.
Dr. Rigotti said citisinicline has been tested in smokers and a series of trial show Effective in quitting nicotine. So she says the drug may be closer to FDA approval for quitting smoking than it is to quit smoking e-cigarettes. However, most people who took it tolerated it.
The drug has been used for years in Eastern Europe for smoking cessation, but it’s not yet available in the United States, according to Dr. Ligotti.
Contributors to this news report are: Cyndy McGrath, Producer. Kirk Manson, videographer. Roque Correa, editor.
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