A New Path to Quit Smoking: Exploring the Next Treatment
Why Quitting Smoking Feels Impossible
Smoking currently stands as the single largest preventable cause of death worldwide, yet smoking cessation success rates remain incredibly low. Roughly 40 million U.S. adults still smoke, with more than 70% claiming they’d like to quit. But as it stands, less than 3%-5% who try and quit without help do not last a full year, even with all the current smoking cessation aids available (source: Axsome). The reason? Most available tools tackle only part of the problem.
Nicotine Dependence Is a Three-Part Challenge:
- The chemical component of nicotine stimulates reward pathways in the brain, reinforcing dependence. This is why nicotine patches and gum can help reduce smoking but still maintain the underlying chemical loop.
- The behavioral component involves repeated habits and environmental triggers, such as smoking when stressed, bored, driving, or during social situations.
- The emotional component includes withdrawal symptoms like irritability, anxiety, and a bad mood. Few existing treatments support this area of the quitting process.
A New Study Aims to Address Smoking Cessation
Health Research of Hampton Roads (HRHR) participates in smoking cessation clinical trials aimed at evaluating new investigational medicines. These studies are designed to help people quit smoking more effectively by targeting multiple aspects of nicotine dependence, not just the cravings.
What Makes This Treatment Different?
Unlike nicotine-replacement products, the study drug for our upcoming trial contains no nicotine at all. Instead, this investigational medicine works to:
- Reduce nicotine cravings in key brain receptors and help reduce the urge to smoke.
- Ease withdrawal and support mood to lessen irritability, anxiety, and the ‘fog’ many people experience within the first weeks of quitting.
- Help prevent weight gain after quitting nicotine.
By addressing both the chemical addiction and the emotional hurdles of quitting, researchers hope that this new smoking cessation medication can lead to higher rates of quitting and fewer relapses. Even with all the currently available smoking-cessation treatment options, relapse rates remain above 80%.
Source: Axsome: Smoking Cessation
Why Smoking-Cessation Research Matters
Quitting smoking is tough, and not every treatment works for every person. Despite a variety of smoking cessation programs and products, long-term success with quitting clearly remains limited. That’s why continued research is essential. New medications could offer better results, fewer side effects, and a broader appeal for those who haven’t found success with existing treatments.
Clinical trials are an essential part of bringing new treatments to life. They help researchers understand how new medications work, how well they’re tolerated, and who they might help the most. Participation in such research helps shape the future of what’s possible in treatments like smoking cessation.
Ongoing smoking cessation research is essential because:
- Tobacco use causes about 500,000 premature U.S. deaths each year and costs nearly $300 billion in healthcare and lost productivity (source: CDC Burden of Cigarette Use in the U.S.).
- Current therapies leave significant gaps, especially for people who cannot tolerate nicotine products or existing drugs (source: NIH: Interventions for Smoking Cessation and Treatments for Nicotine Dependence)
- Understanding the interplay of cravings, behavior, and mood can lead to more comprehensive treatments, increasing the odds of long-term success.
Potential Advantages of Emerging Non-Nicotine Treatments
Emerging non-nicotine treatments may offer unique benefits for people exploring new ways to quit smoking. Here are some of the potential advantages researchers are evaluating across different investigational smoking cessation medications and treatments:
- A nicotine-free approach to quitting for those who prefer to avoid replacement products.
- Broader symptom relief, addressing cravings, withdrawal, and mood.
- Simplified dosing—an oral pill instead of patches, gum, or multiple therapies.
- Potentially fewer side effects compared with existing smoking-cessation drugs.
- Expanded options for individuals who have tried current programs without lasting success.
Review our currently enrolling clinical trials to see if there are any ongoing clinical trials.
Stay Informed
Curious about where smoking cessation research is headed or thinking about joining a clinical trial? Sign up for updates from HRHR to stay informed on new studies, including those focused on oral vaccines.
Now Scheduling! Smoking Cessation
Males and females, 18-75 years of age
This trial will be for cigarette smokers who have quit smoking recently or are fully committed to quitting smoking immediately. Placebo controlled.
Eligibility
- Must have quit smoking 7-30 days before the first appointment.
- Must be able to pass a urine drug screen.
- Must have blood easily drawn from the arm.
- Cannot have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Trial Duration
34 weeks with 13 in office visits.
Compensation
Varies depending on the in office visit.
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