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Anti-smoking vaccine on trial watch!

reuters.com — Jul 19 - Swedish scientists begin human trials on a shot intended to stop nicotine reaching the brain. The experts behind the vaccine say it will eliminate the nicotine highs that smokers relish and therefore help tobacco addicts to quit but some have their doubts it will be that simple.

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  • ilovelegos, on 07/20/2008, -14/+9Interesting, but it will not work.
    • analogkid01, on 07/20/2008, -2/+9Buried for pretending to be a scientist.
      • ajwinder, on 07/20/2008, -0/+6Actually, this doesn't really make sense at all as a drug. This sounds like you'd have just about every symptom on quitting cold turkey, except the drug would block you from gaining pleasure from relapsing into smoking. Which doesn't actually sound good, it sounds hellish.

        Smoking does have many different reward functions built into the brain, it causes feelings of relaxation, of increased concentration, and reduces anxiety. So when a quitting smoker goes back for a cigarette, its usually because they're in a situation where they'd use the cigarette to get to one of the feelings listed above. A lot of it is habitual, but the crux of a smokers mindset is that they smoke for years and year, over that time period smoking starts to become a stress management tool. Theres no shot you can take to re-learn effective stress management, and this shot is not going to do anything for you in terms of that.

        The other part of this is that nicotine takes over the function of a lot of the chemical receptors in the brain which help you with concentration and induce pleasure. Since nicotine is taking over for these functions, your brain, over the period of a nicotine addiction, produces less and less of these chemicals. The physical addiction to nicotine lasts something like 3 days. The period of time for your brain to regain the normal output of these natural chemicals (like dopamine) is much longer, which accounts for the longer "recovery" period from nicotine addiction. This pill isn't going to help with this. Drugs like Chantix work the same way as this shot will in blocking the effects of nicotine, but also work by stimulating production of chemicals like dopamine in the brain for a smoother transition. Granted, it also has a hell of a side-effect list, hallucinative dreaming being the deal-killer for me personally.

        Bottom-line, quitting is not easy to do, especially when considering that smoking in an otherwise healthy adult usually does not have the same perceived negative impact that quitting has. A shot's not going to fix that. Its really like fixing any other poor livestyle choice. You need to find other activities that curb your cravings and result in similar side effects, you need to have a support network / therapy group, and you need to minimize exposure to nicotine. Scientific developments like this are novel, but they seem predicated on the idea that you can take something and it fixes your problem. Thats never going to be the case, and no, I don't need to be a certified scientist to make that claim.
      • Scriabin, on 07/20/2008, -0/+2I know a lot of retards are going to tl;dr that, but trust me, it's a great argument at why this won't work.
  • ameologger, on 07/20/2008, -13/+4lets them dream .. it's smoke .. fire is older than mad himself , we can't find a cure for it .

    p.s [ NOT pessimistic ]
    • hmunkey, on 07/20/2008, -1/+12Smoke from fires is completely different from nicotene laced cigarettes...
    • itsthebrod, on 07/20/2008, -2/+3What you said is the complete opposite of anything logical.
    • Gudeldar, on 07/20/2008, -1/+3When was the last time you saw someone standing over a bonfire breathing in the smoke?

      Anyone doing that is getting what they deserve.
      • ufia, on 07/20/2008, -1/+2Sucking on a cancer stick is not any smarter. At least the person standing over a bonfire is having a heck of a time.
    • bluechild, on 07/20/2008, -1/+1Judging by the diggs, I think a lot of people misinterpreted the OP. Sarcasm anyone ? Come on ...
  • MacBookForMe, on 07/20/2008, -14/+7more drugs...give more drugs...but, why?
    • hmunkey, on 07/20/2008, -4/+7Are you stupid? One is addicting and one isn't. One is harmful and one isn't.
      • wolferz, on 07/20/2008, -0/+2"One is harmful and one isn't. "

        ... that we know of... so far... ergo the trials. And recent events with certain over the counter medicines have show how reliable the trials are.
    • itsthebrod, on 07/20/2008, -2/+4An idiotic comment coming from a Mac fan? Why am I not surprised?
    • kjubik, on 07/20/2008, -3/+1Yeah, homeopathy FTW!

      /funny
    • wolferz, on 07/20/2008, -2/+2I dug you up... I agree that using drugs to solve a problem with drugs... regardless of which is addicting or not... is not in our best interest.

      Americans in particular, but those in other developed countries to a degree, reliable way too much on medication to fix their problems. In a situation such as a chemical addiction it might be reasonable... but should still only be a last resort. Instead it will become the easy out that every one uses when they decide to quite smoking... this time.
  • encrypteduser, on 07/20/2008, -2/+21I used Chantix and it worked for me!! It's my 1 year anniversary this month! :)
    • Wornstrom, on 07/20/2008, -2/+4I used Chantix for a month... it was working, but around the 3rd week I started having very weird vivid dreams, and I was experiencing mood swings ranging from silent rage to mild depression. Also a slight sense of paranoia occasionally... so I stopped taking it. I would be interested in this as long as there are no similar side effects.
    • etx313, on 07/20/2008, -0/+5I took Chantix also, Last summer but i really didnt try hard enough and kept smoking. This summer I tried it again and finally quit after 14 years of smoking! But lately I've been going back to the dark side when im in the car or having a drink. I just need to get my girlfriend to quit and I'd be in better shape.
    • skyroket, on 07/20/2008, -0/+9I smoked for 8 years (yes, I know, not a terribly long time compared to some) and wanted to find a way to quit that required little or no effort on my part. Chantix was the answer!! I took Chantix for 2 months, but stopped smoking after only 1 month. I refrained from drinking for 6 months after that, since that was typically what sparked the craving for a good smoke. But the quitting part was SO easy... about a week into your Chantix, you will start seeing more cigarettes left in your pack at the end of the day. You'll be going through the day and think "oh *****, it's been a whole 6 hours since I've smoked?!?!" and not even realize it. NO EFFORT REQUIRED (for the physical addiction).

      Breaking the habits of lightning one up when you get in your car, sit down in front of the computer, or other habits you've developed, was only a matter of time. You can help yourself break these using straws or toothpicks, since your body no longer needs the nicotine anyways.

      Living with someone else who didn't quit with you is SO DETRIMENTAL to your quitting process. My brother lived with his girlfriend and they both smoked. He broke up with her (for other unrelated reasons) and he is finding it so much easier to quit, now that there aren't other people's packs of cigarettes lying around the house, or the smoke smell reminding him of it.

      Every once in awhile when I see an actor smoking on TV, or see someone IRL smoking, I think of how good it would probably feel - then I remember how much better I already feel by not smoking!! Not living your life based on cigarettes is another plus...
    • Qumahlin, on 07/20/2008, -3/+4While Chantix is effective, the side effects for some are simply not worth it.
    • bsmang, on 07/20/2008, -0/+4Chantix worked for me too, after 20 years of 2+ packs a day. I did have a lot of dreams while taking it, but I think only because it made me sleep more lightly than normal - and as long as I took it with food, there was no nausea. (Without food, different story.)

      First try failed but I think it was because I didn't stick to the dosing schedule well enough and didn't feel "ready" enough.. But I did notice some sense that it had the potential, so I tried it again a couple of months later and then it worked like a charm. I think you really have to stick to the schedule and not be missing a dose here and there.

      So I took it and smoked right along for a full month... Towards the end of the month I think I was actually smoking a bit more than normal, but feeling like I was getting a bit less benefit from them. Then I stopped smoking and kept taking the Chantix for only about another week and then stopped that, too.

      It was very comfortable compared to previous attempts with differing methods over the years. No picking butts out of the garbage at all, let alone within the first 4 hours like usual. It's been almost 8 months now without even a puff and I love being a non-smoker. I did gain about 25 pounds, but it doesn't look too bad on me being well over 6' tall..
    • Zapple, on 07/20/2008, -4/+2*Chantix story goes here*

      digg me up!
      • skyroket, on 07/20/2008, -0/+3Hey man, we're just providing 1st hand evidence that Chantix can be a successful and easy way to quit. Some people out there need to see 1st hand evidence and not all this pharmaceutical ***** (and believe it or not, some people don't even trust their doctor).
    • encrypteduser, on 07/21/2008, -0/+2I truly do feel sorry for the people that have adverse side effects from Chantix. Let me remind you all that the amount of people that actually experience these side effects is a very SMALL number. Don't let it discourage you from at least TRYING. Chantix is really effective if you follow the directions. If you continue to smoke past the recommended quit date, if you don't take it with a full glass of water, if you take it at the wrong time of the day, etc you can expect to have migraines, an upset stomach, and vivid dreams. If you are having psychotic episodes then obviously don't take it but I haven't seen anyone have psychotic episodes (except for people that were already on MAOI's). Chantix freed me from the slavery of nicotine addiction and for that I am eternally grateful. If I help one person by turning them on to Chantix then my job is done!

      People saved so far: Me, dad, grandfather, brother, 1 co-worker, and a random dude I met at rite-aid! RIGHT ON!
  • AchaIemoipas, on 07/20/2008, -2/+31Useless.

    We already have a solution: it's called Ibogaine. I've seen a cocaine addict drop cocaine and cigarettes permanently with a single dose, no withdrawal. Some detox centres in Canada are finally starting to use it.

    Of course, it's illegal in the US. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibogaine

    Some serious research need to be done on this plant. It just plain works, it's fast and it costs next to nothing (which is probably why the FDA banned it).
    • Temo1, on 07/20/2008, -0/+7From what you linked: "Casual use of ibogaine in a social or entertainment context is nearly unknown due to its high cost..."
      • WilliamDavis, on 07/20/2008, -4/+2oh, no!!! You mean someone might ingest it and like it? Holy crap!!! We must figure out some way to stop it!!!!
      • AchaIemoipas, on 07/20/2008, -0/+3It's high cost because it's rare.

        It's a plant. You need a 10$ investment to grow it, 2$ if you don't use a pot.
    • orangefly, on 07/20/2008, -0/+13do you have any idea how much they make in cigarette tax in the US....???....
    • duckyinc, on 07/20/2008, -3/+17>ibogaine therapy for drug addiction is the subject of some controversy. Due to its hallucinogenic properties as well as risks for patients with certain health problems

      Probably why..
      • KielKilla, on 07/20/2008, -2/+6That's probably better then a cocaine addition, bud.
      • wolferz, on 07/20/2008, -2/+5"as well as risks for patients with certain health problems"

        if that's is even a part of why then I find it curious medicines in general aren't banned... along with most foods.
    • MarkCiccone, on 07/20/2008, -0/+7It causes an intense psychedelic trip for the patient. Most meet the spirit of ibogaine (pronounced ibo-gun-e) who leads them on a spiritual quest to end their addictions. It's really fascinating, you can read people's experiences with the plant at erowid.org:

      http://www.erowid.org/experiences/exp.php?ID=63089

      http://www.erowid.org/experiences/exp.php?ID=41752

      And also here:

      http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,11 ...
    • cerealjynx, on 07/20/2008, -0/+3GIVE ME SOME.
    • GramarNazi, on 07/20/2008, -0/+1Just because something else works (even better) doesn't make this option "useless."
    • cheeseron, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1it's probably banned until they do real clinical trials (if they ever do).

      i mean anywhere you look you'll see there haven't been real conclusive studies done, or at least enough. it's not black and white on these things always.
  • sagat, on 07/20/2008, -1/+6Nice, now give us something with the stimulant pleasures that smoking gives without the adverse health affects.
  • atact88, on 07/20/2008, -3/+5Ibogaine is strictly controlled because of psychoactive properties. Not for monetary reasons.
    • WilliamDavis, on 07/20/2008, -1/+17Oh, whew. It's the nanny state instead of the fascist state. I feel much better now.
  • atact88, on 07/20/2008, -1/+4In addition, ibogaine is actually expensive, was found by US researchers to pose a threat to neurological health and cause arrythmia in patients with heart disease. The US actually did fund a study into ibogaine during the 1990s, and determined that the cure posed a higher heath threat than the addiction. All from the wikipedia link Achalemoipas provided.
  • Princeamor, on 07/20/2008, -2/+3I see some real problems with this... for example, besides nicotine what else is it going to block from getting into the brain? There are always side effects.
  • CouchTomato, on 07/20/2008, -3/+2Dugg because I'm a sucker for news stories with the word antibody in it. But here is a win-win idea: a ciggy that will release liquid nicotine into the mouth while generating smoke that is harmless.
    • itsthebrod, on 07/20/2008, -1/+8How is becoming horribly addicted to nicotine a "win-win" situation?
      • CouchTomato, on 07/20/2008, -2/+1The smoker gets his reward and I'm not affected by passive smoking..is what I meant. Besides nicotine addiction is probably no different to caffeine.
      • Stevanoski, on 07/21/2008, -1/+1It helps save social security and medicare/medicaid as the addicts die earlier even when they quit. Compare this to heroin addicts, because they stayed thin most of their lives they live to a ripe old age after they quit.
    • analogkid01, on 07/20/2008, -1/+2Name a smoke that's harmless.
      • pixelskew, on 07/20/2008, -4/+2marijuana.
      • wolferz, on 07/20/2008, -0/+3only if you don't smoke it...

        Smoke of any kinds, whether it be from a fireplace or a cigarette and yes, even marijuana has carcinogens in it. You know what carcinogens are? They are toxins... specifically toxins which cause cancer.

        Or course it depends on how much you are exposed to... for smoke you would need a lot of exposure... depending of course on what is in it.
      • CouchTomato, on 07/20/2008, -2/+1If you add some alcohol to dry-ice you can generate some pretty thick smoke-like situation. anyway something along those lines.
      • itsthebrod, on 07/20/2008, -0/+2@CouchTomato
        That's not smoke, it's carbon dioxide vapor. Big difference, and it's not the result of combustion (which real smoke is).
    • Testiculese, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1One drop of nicotine in liquid form is fatal.
  • iCoty, on 07/20/2008, -2/+4An ever better solution: Electroshocktherapy. Have the person who is addicted and wants to quit have tiny electrodes installed in their bodies. Every time they attempt to smoke, the installed electrodes detects the presence of nicotine in the bloodstream and then releases a minor shock. The shock continues until nicotine levels are not detectable. Someone hurry, go patent that!
    • jameshighmore, on 07/20/2008, -1/+2Yeah, that would work great. Especially when they were around other smokers!
  • Fathom, on 07/20/2008, -3/+6oh so it vaccinates you against anti-smokers?
  • Fathom, on 07/20/2008, -2/+7will power FTW
  • PopASquatt, on 07/20/2008, -5/+9I thought this was the Onion at first.

    Oh, and FYI, almost 90% of smokers start smoking because they like it, not because they sparked one cigarette up and immediately got the craving for the rich smoky flavor. Say what you want but people enjoy doing this.
    • Disjunto, on 07/20/2008, -2/+11from what I've seen, 90% of smokers started because their friends did and they wanted to be cool
    • Testiculese, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1Smoking is most definitely an "acquired taste" Not one smoker I've asked started because "they liked it". They coughed and heaved a lung the first few packs, then as their throat cells were killed off and calloused, and their lungs had a sheen of tar to mollify the harsh chemicals invading it...

      Then they liked it.
  • dizilbdog, on 07/20/2008, -1/+5Isn't Nicotine more addicting than marijuana you like smoking just switch to marijuana no craving side effects.
    • explorer509, on 07/20/2008, -1/+4Thats what I did and it worked for me, cigarette free for 1 month now.
      • dizilbdog, on 07/20/2008, -1/+2Nice and I bet you don't get so tired so fast marijuana i don't believe gives you that wee-zing or gets you panting like cigs do.
    • bagelmaster, on 07/20/2008, -3/+6Too bad you're still smoking something and therefore still hurting your lungs. Plus weed is illegal and god help you if your work actually does random drug tests.
      • explorer509, on 07/20/2008, -3/+10You arrogant Americans assume your laws and moral standards apply for the entire earth.
      • NealKasper, on 07/20/2008, -2/+1Oooooh, sick burn!
      • bryceman111, on 07/20/2008, -2/+2Maybe he assumed that the majority of people on this article page were Americans...

        Granted, that is still assuming...
  • Protuhj, on 07/20/2008, -0/+3Personally, smoking is something to do with my hands when I need to decompress for a few minutes during work, after a big meal, etc..
    • reddikilowatt, on 07/20/2008, -1/+2Try just decompressing, skipping the smoke.

      Eventually you'll find that you don't need to "decompress" anymore.
    • skyroket, on 07/20/2008, -0/+4After I quit smoking, I still went out to the "smokers' table" and did a bunch of deep breaths (not while there's a ***** of smoke in the air) and found that just BREATHING properly like that is 75% of what relaxes you. I think there's some clinical study out there somewhere about this, too...
      • Testiculese, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1When I quit, I did the same thing. Just being out there, upwind of the smoke, was enough to kill any cravings. I did "the routine" and my brain was satisfied. After a month of that, I had no urge to go out with the smokers anymore either.
    • Protuhj, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1I'll have to try that.
  • parnell47, on 07/20/2008, -0/+3sounds great and all but you would still get withdrawl symptoms
  • kreatre2007, on 07/20/2008, -2/+2Cold turkey and will power are the best ways to kick that nasty habit.
    • reddikilowatt, on 07/20/2008, -0/+2Actually, cold turkey is one of the worst ways to quit.

      Decreasing the number of cigarettes you smoke per day, breaking up habits, then (if necessary) using the patch or other replacement methods works much better than cold turkey.

      Also, it takes an average of 3 times to quit successfully. People who want to quit need to be reminded that failing once doesn't mean they'll never make it. The cold turkey folks seem to forget that when talking to other people.

      Of course, maybe I just lacked "will power."
      • kreatre2007, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Yes. I'm sure you did lack will power. My dad quit after over 20 years. He did it cold turkey and never picked up a cigarette again. It can be done. The problem is that in today's society, everyone thinks that they need some kind of help or therapy or other outside influence to get them to do right. It's totally pathetic.
    • cdigioia, on 07/20/2008, -1/+12 billion smokers beg to differ
      • kreatre2007, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1And those are 2 billion people that I don't give a rat's ass about. It's a filthy and disgusting habit.
      • Testiculese, on 07/22/2008, -0/+12 billion smokers are weak minded, or unwilling to quit. If you want to quit, there's nothing stopping you after 3-4 days of staying strong for yourself.

        And a box of Nicorette!
  • BlatheringIdiot, on 07/20/2008, -2/+1Dunno.

    Knowing me- I'd prolly just get hooked on Ibogaine.
  • TobyDumb, on 07/20/2008, -0/+3GOTTA LOVE THAT COPENHAGEN
  • witchaven, on 07/20/2008, -1/+3This vaccine works by creating antibodies which cause the body to attack important parts of the brain responsible for mood and pleasure. I know a girl whose boyfriend took a variant of this vaccine and it made him into a zombie. Avoid this crap like the plague.
  • SilverBlade2k, on 07/20/2008, -1/+2I think this is one of those situations where people expect science to solve their personal problems that they created by themselves. Since smoking is indeed a 'choice' (face it, no one FORCED you to smoke, and I doubt anyone pointed a gun to your head), I don't think science should come up with cures or antibodies for it. Science can find ways to HELP people quit, but it shouldn't be used as a way out for people without willpower.
  • deathrobot, on 07/20/2008, -0/+1Smoking- the leading form of preventable death. When will we ever stop Death though? Sneaky bastard.
  • tempest, on 07/20/2008, -1/+2As a ex-smoker, let me give everyone a clue.
    As with most vices, smoking is a choice, not a disease.

    Any medical fix to vices amounts to little more than snake oil.
    People drink/smoke/drug/etc... because they enjoy it.
    They really can't quit until they decide they really do not want to do it anymore.
  • Arcnite, on 07/20/2008, -1/+1You can do it without the vaccine. When you absolutely must have a cigarette just take a drag or two of marijuana smoke, not enough to get you high, just a couple of puffs. With the smoke in your lungs and a slight THC buzz your craving for a cigarette will subside. Do this for a couple of weeks and your nicotine addiction will be low enough that willpower can easily overcome it.

    I did this 4 months ago and I haven't had a single puff off of a cigarette since the day I decided to quit.

    Tip: Go buy a dugout with a one-hitter that looks like a cigarette. Using the fake cigarette to smoke a hit or two of bud satisfies the "smoke in your lungs" craving as well as the need to hold a cigarette and hit from it.
    • Testiculese, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1That's really difficult to do at work. You'll get busted for laughing at your TPS reports!
  • GramarNazi, on 07/20/2008, -0/+2As an ex-smoker who has quit several times cold turkey (and started again at some point), the nicotine high is that last thing I was addicted to. Sure I'd get a high from maybe the first cigarette of the day, or if I hadn't smoked in a long time, but after a while, I just didn't get it anymore. There was something else that I was "addicted" to.

    Many people smoke because they need to satisfy an oral fixation, or just because it's something to do while sitting down with friends or walking to your job. Often, it's just a good excuse to take a break (between working, for example). Personally, I've never had a hard time quitting if the environment was right (such as being occupied with work, or with friends who didn't like hanging around a smoker). This is why I always doubt the efficacy of nicotine gum, or other sources of quitting that involve targetting the physical aspect of addiction. In my opinion, the physical part is just not great enough.
    • Testiculese, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1That is true. You have to WANT to quit. If you don't really want to, you can't.

      Take a trip to the cancer ward and visit 5-10 peopole who smoked, and see if you want to quit then.
  • DirtySanch, on 07/20/2008, -0/+2The guy saying that the mental addiction is why he can't quit after the physical is taken away is just an excuse. If this thing works, half of the work (the harder physical half) is done.

    Quitting anything is a scary process that involves a person to work to change their whole life. If one can't come to those terms with themselves then nothing will help quit no matter what the addiction.
    • Testiculese, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1The physical part is the EASY part. That took me three days. The mental part took me three months. Breaking habits and routines is far more difficult. My stepmom quit 12 years ago and *still* wants one.
  • romico, on 07/21/2008, -0/+1Nicotine is more addictive than drugs. It's really hard to stop smoking. Unless if you start to fell the pain in you chest.
  • Humzaseo, on 07/24/2008, -0/+0I hope that this trial would be end on success and bring new things for the betterment of health
  • s67rena, on 07/27/2008, -0/+0If it really works I would give it a try. I have tried everything else
  •  

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