The surprising way scientists say smokers can ease nicotine withdrawal
February 13, 2025 by nypost.com
The surprising way scientists say smokers can ease nicotine withdrawal
Research is exploring new options, such as the Parkinson’s drug procyclidine, to aid in smoking cessation by alleviating nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The drug restores dopamine levels affected by nicotine, reducing tremors and cravings. Smoking is linked to 8 million annual deaths worldwide, with low success rates in quitting due to intense cravings. Two FDA-approved medications, bupropion and varenicline, target tobacco cravings. Parkison’s patients also benefit from procyclidine, which restores dopamine balance. This potential treatment offers hope for improving smoking cessation success rates. Additional studies will investigate if procyclidine can complement existing therapies like Chantix for long-term quitting success.
