Quitting The Hard Way

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports in Science that some smokers with damage to a part of the brain called the insula have their addiction to nicotine practically eliminated. The findings provide new insights into the role the insula plays in smoking and could lead to new smoking cessation treatments. “Research that identifies a way to alter the function of this area could have major implications for smokers and addiction treatment in general,” said NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow.

The study involved smokers who had experienced some degree of brain damage resulting in lesions on the insula, as well as smokers whose brain injuries did not include damage to the insula. The researchers found that those smokers with insula lesions were 136 times more likely to have their addiction to nicotine erased than smokers with other brain injuries.

“Participants with damage to the insula were overwhelmingly more likely to experience a true disruption of the urge to smoke, characterized by an almost immediate cessation of smoking with no reported struggles to maintain their abstinence,” said study leader, Dr. Antoine Bechara, of the University of Southern California. “We know that the insula plays a role in the desire to smoke by anticipating physical effects brought on by emotions such as those induced by environmental cues. Thus, damage to the insula could lead smokers to feel that their bodies have ‘forgotten’ the urge to smoke.”

“The current study suggests that damage to the insula can impact the conscious ‘urge’ to smoke, making it easier for smokers to quit and remain abstinent. Medications that target receptors within the insula may offer promise in developing more effective smoking cessation therapies in the future,” concluded NIDA’s Volkow.

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse

, ,

Comments are closed.

SOLID BRASS Metal Smoking Proto Pipe Style Nickel Plated picture

SOLID BRASS Metal Smoking Proto Pipe Style Nickel Plated

$21.99



10 Pack 3” One Hitter Aluminum Bat Tobacco Smoking Pipe Dugout Accessories - USA picture

10 Pack 3” One Hitter Aluminum Bat Tobacco Smoking Pipe Dugout Accessories - USA

$1000.00



4''Tobacco Pipe Glass Smoking Pipe Gorgeous Bowl Collectible Handmade Pipes picture

4''Tobacco Pipe Glass Smoking Pipe Gorgeous Bowl Collectible Handmade Pipes

$12.99



SOLID BRASS Metal Smoking Proto Pipe Style picture

SOLID BRASS Metal Smoking Proto Pipe Style

$21.99



10 inch Heavy Glass Bong Water Pipe Smoking Bong Beaker + 14mm Bowl hookah USA picture

10 inch Heavy Glass Bong Water Pipe Smoking Bong Beaker + 14mm Bowl hookah USA

$14.39



4 Inch Tobacco Smoking Glass Pipe Gorgeous Bowl Collectible Handmade Pipes picture

4 Inch Tobacco Smoking Glass Pipe Gorgeous Bowl Collectible Handmade Pipes

$13.49



Water Pipe Bubbler, Hookah Tobacco Smoking Bowl Buy 2 Get 2 FREE picture

Water Pipe Bubbler, Hookah Tobacco Smoking Bowl Buy 2 Get 2 FREE

$8.99



11 Inch Bongs Red Tree Glass Bong Smoking Hookah Glass Water Pipes 14mm Bowl picture

11 Inch Bongs Red Tree Glass Bong Smoking Hookah Glass Water Pipes 14mm Bowl

$19.79



Metal Tobacco Smoking Pipe Random Bowl Stainless Steel Mesh Metal Pipes Screens picture

Metal Tobacco Smoking Pipe Random Bowl Stainless Steel Mesh Metal Pipes Screens

$13.99



Japanese smoking pipe Kiseru Iizuka metal Whole Brass Regular type USA picture

Japanese smoking pipe Kiseru Iizuka metal Whole Brass Regular type USA

$26.56



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes