There are many reasons to switch from a chain smoker to a non-smoker: better health, improved taste receptors, stronger bones, and many more. A new systematic review of randomized controlled trials has found evidence that anon-invasive brain stimulationcan reduce smoking frequency. In addition, the method studied could significantly reduce the number of cigarettes smoked per day in those suffering from nicotine addiction.
Does your own brain help you go from a chain smoker to a non-smoker?
However, saying no to cigarettes is a particularly difficult task for many smokers around the world. Nicotine can cause neurological adaptations in the brain that make it difficult to quit smoking. For this reason, researchers have been looking for new ways to treat nicotine addiction using non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques. These should be able to counteract abnormal brain activity associated with chronic nicotine exposure. In the review published by the journal Addiction, the research team examined twelve randomized controlled trials of NIBS methods on a total of 710 participants with nicotine addiction. It used network meta-analysis to compare the usefulness and safety of different types of NIBS. Several NIBS techniques showed promising results. However, scientists have the best of them from high-frequencyrepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This area was associated with the greatest reduction in smoking frequency.
Interestingly, none of the NIBS studied appeared to reduce the severity of craving or nicotine dependence compared to control groups. It may be that increasing DLPFC activity increases dopamine release, balancing the reward system and helping patients cope with unimpaired cravings and withdrawal symptoms. None of the NIBS studied were associated with significantly different discontinuation rates from those of control groups, suggesting that these types of treatments are well tolerated. Nicotine affects the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, increasing brain activity and the release of dopamine. Higher levels of dopamine bring joy to the smoker. Over time, chronic nicotine exposure causes the brain to produce more receptors to handle the increased brain activity. When nicotine levels drop, such as when a smoker tries to go from being a chain smoker to being a non-smoker, activity in the brain's reward system decreases. The authorsthis studyclaim that this leads to withdrawal symptoms that encourage people to continue smoking.
