Nicotine Addiction Research Articles

Unveiling the intracellular dynamics of α4β2 nAChR-mediated ERK activation through the interplay of arrestin, Gβγ, and PKCβII

AimsIn contrast to G protein-coupled receptors or receptor tyrosine kinases, the mechanism underlying ERK activation through nicotine acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), members of the ligand-gated ion channel family, remains poorly elucidated. This study aimed to delineate the signaling pathway responsible for ERK activation by the α4β2 nAChR subtype, which is implicated in nicotine addiction and various mental disorders. Materials and methodsLoss-of-function strategies and mutants of arrestin2/PKCβII with distinct functional characteristics were employed to identify the cellular components and processes involved in ERK activation. Key findingsERK activation via α4β2 nAChR was observed within the nucleus and necessitated the nuclear translocation of arrestin2 and PKCβII, which exhibited mutual augmentation. Activation of PKCβII by α4β2 nAChR stimulation facilitated the nuclear translocation of arrestin2 by enhancing its interaction with importin β1. Apart from scaffolding ERK activation in the nucleus, arrestin2, in cooperation with GRK2, facilitated the activation of the Src/Syk/PKCβII signaling cascade, leading to the nuclear entry of PKCβII in a Gβγ-dependent manner. Upon nuclear localization, PKCβII underwent ubiquitination by Mdm2 and interacted with MEK1, resulting in ERK activation. In summary, α4β2 nAChR-mediated ERK activation in the nucleus involves the nuclear translocation of arrestin2 and PKCβII, which is reciprocally facilitated via positive feedback augmentation. SignificanceAs α4β2 nAChRs play a pivotal role in various cellular processes including drug addiction and mental disorders, our findings will offer insights into understanding the pathogenesis of α4β2 nAChR-related disorders and may facilitate the development of targeted therapeutic interventions.

Alterations in serum metabolomics during the first seizure and after effective control of epilepsy

The existing diagnostic methods of epilepsy have great limitations, and more reliable and less difficult diagnostic methods are needed. We collected serum samples of adult patients with first-diagnosed epilepsy (EPs) and seizure control patients (EPRs) for non-targeted metabolomics detection and found that they were both significantly altered, with increased expression of nicotine addiction, linoleic acid metabolism, purine metabolism, and other metabolic pathways. The diagnostic model based on 4 differential metabolites achieved a diagnostic efficiency of 99.4% in the training cohort and 100% in the validation cohort. In addition, the association analysis of oral flora, serum metabolism, and clinical indicators also provided a new angle to analyze the mechanism of epilepsy. In conclusion, this study characterized the serum metabolic characteristics of EPs and EPRs and the changes before and after epilepsy control based on a large cohort, demonstrating the potential of metabolites as non-invasive diagnostic tools for epilepsy.

A Descriptive Analysis of Beliefs About Nicotine and Switching to Noncombustibles Among Adults Who Smoke Cigarettes and Believe Nicotine Causes Cancer

Introduction: Many people who smoke cigarettes report believing that nicotine causes cancer, a misperception that may reduce interest in switching to noncombustible nicotine products. Quantitative survey questions do not capture how this population thinks about nicotine and switching to noncombustible products. Methods: This study used an online convenience sample of 193 US adults who smoke cigarettes and reported that nicotine causes cancer. Respondents were asked if they thought nicotine was harmful (and why or why not) and if they would consider switching to a noncombustible product (and why or why not). Inductive and deductive coding were used, and descriptive statistics are reported. Results: Descriptions of nicotine directly causing disease (61%) were more common than descriptions of nicotine causing addiction to a harmful product (8%). One-third expressly stated that nicotine causes cancer, and 21% that nicotine causes lung disease. Interest in switching was moderate (mean 47.4 out of 100). When asked about switching, 34% described enjoying their current smoking experience, 23% described a perceived health benefit, 16% described a health concern, and 11% worried that switching would not address nicotine addiction. Discussion: Adults who smoke commonly perceived nicotine as a direct cause of cigarette-related disease, and harm and addictiveness perceptions were often mentioned as reasons for interest or disinterest in switching to a noncombustible. Future studies could explore strategies for correcting nicotine misperception, stigma related to addiction, and common concerns related to health as well as user experience.

Effect and investigating of oxygen / nitrogen on modified glassy carbon electrode chitosan/carbon nanotube and best detection of nicotine using Cyclic voltammetry measurement technique

Nicotine, a component of tobacco smoke, is a neurotoxin. It exerts its effects by stimulating nicotine-containing acetylcholine receptors. Nicotine, one of over 4,700 components in tobacco smoke, was previously used as an insecticide in agriculture. Although the use of nicotine in agriculture has been banned in many countries, nicotine poisoning due to accidental or intentional ingestion of nicotine products remains a problem for smoking workers as well as children and adults. Understanding the mechanisms of nicotine poisoning is important for both prevention and treatment, as well as for appropriate regulatory approaches. We study the pharmacological properties of nicotine and the cellular mechanisms underlying acute and persistent nicotine addiction that appear to be related to the central and peripheral nervous systems. The electrochemical properties of nicotine were studied using a glassy carbon-chitosan/multiwalled carbon nanotubes-COOH electrode. Nicotine-COOH via chitosan/multiwalled carbon nanotubes was irreversibly reduced in the presence of oxygen and nitrogen gas. Oxidation signals at lower potentials and higher currents were obtained for nicotine via the modified electrode compared to the glassy carbon electrode. This condition proliferated in the presence of oxygen gas, suggesting that nanotubes, including carbon nanotubes, facilitate electron transfer and form the basis for electrocatalytic nicotine applications. Under optimal conditions, cyclic voltammetry (CV) shows oxidation of nicotine in the presence of oxygen at 0.74 V and nitrogen at 0.81 V in phosphate buffer solution at pH = 7.4. Linear calibration curves range from 0.1 to 200 μM for oxygen and 0.05 to 200 μM for nitrogen conditions, both with R2 = 0.99, and detection limits of 7.1 for oxygen and 9.2 nM for nitrogen.

“Do all bisexuals have this power?”: An exploratory study of “crippling nicotine addiction,” identity, and other emergent themes in vaping messages on QueerTok

Nicotine and tobacco use disproportionally affects sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations in the United States. Social media narratives may contribute to these disparities. This qualitative study delineated perceptions and experiences depicted in SGM-related videos about nicotine vaping on TikTok. Young adult researchers engaged in every step of the research process, adding an insider perspective. Using four TikTok accounts, we used vaping and SGM-related search terms to sample videos in March–April 2022. Three TikTok accounts collected SGM-specific videos; a fourth provided non-SGM specific videos for comparison. We iteratively sorted 303 unique videos into 32 a priori and emergent codes and identified themes in SGM videos and comparison videos. In their videos, creators displayed awareness of and ambivalence toward vaping and nicotine dependence. SGM videos reflected vaping as a salient feature of identity and a consideration in romantic partnership. Studying video-based social media platforms, like TikTok, using an insider-engaged qualitative lens promotes rich interpretation of content to identify prevalent and emerging messages, which can inform appropriate interventions for SGM young people.

Exploring the association between melatonin and nicotine dependence (Review).

Due to the addictive qualities of tobacco products and the compulsive craving and dependence associated with their use, nicotine dependence continues to be a serious public health concern on a global scale. Despite awareness of the associated health risks, nicotine addiction contributes to numerous acute and chronic medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders and cancer. The nocturnal secretion of pineal melatonin, known as the 'hormone of darkness', influences circadian rhythms and is implicated in addiction‑related behaviors. Melatonin receptors are found throughout the brain, influencing dopaminergic neurotransmission and potentially attenuating nicotine‑seeking behavior. Additionally, the antioxidant properties of melatonin may mitigate oxidative stress from chronic nicotine exposure, reducing cellular damage and lowering the risk of nicotine‑related health issues. In addition to its effects on circadian rhythmicity, melatonin acting via specific neural receptors influences sleep and mood, and provides neuroprotection. Disruptions in melatonin signaling may contribute to sleep disturbances and mood disorders, highlighting the potential therapeutic role of melatonin in addiction and psychiatric conditions. Melatonin may influence neurotransmitter systems involved in addiction, such as the dopaminergic, glutamatergic, serotonergic and endogenous opioid systems. Preclinical studies suggest the potential of melatonin in modulating reward processing, attenuating drug‑induced hyperactivity and reducing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Chronotherapeutic approaches targeting circadian rhythms and melatonin signaling show promise in smoking cessation interventions. Melatonin supplementation during periods of heightened nicotine cravings may alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce the reinforcing effects of nicotine. Further research is required however, to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying the melatonin‑nicotine association and the optimization of therapeutic interventions. Challenges include variability in individual responses to melatonin, optimal dosing regimens and identifying biomarkers of treatment response. Understanding these complexities could lead to personalized treatment strategies and improve smoking cessation outcomes.

Adult Smoking Cessation - United States, 2022.

Tobacco dependence is a chronic condition driven by nicotine addiction. Successful quitting can be increased by health care provider intervention and evidence-based treatment. CDC assessed national estimates of cigarette smoking cessation indicators among U.S. adults using 2022 National Health Interview Survey data. In 2022, approximately two thirds (67.7%) of the 28.8 million U.S. adults who smoked wanted to quit, and approximately one half (53.3%) made a quit attempt, but only 8.8% quit smoking. One half of adults who smoked and saw a health professional during the past year received health professional advice (50.5%) or assistance (49.2%) to quit smoking. Among those who tried to quit, 38.3% used treatment (i.e., counseling or medication). Adults who usually smoked menthol (versus nonmenthol) cigarettes had higher prevalences of quitting interest (72.2% versus 65.4%; p<0.05) and past-year quit attempts (57.3% versus 50.4%; p<0.05), lower prevalences of receiving quit advice (48.2% versus 53.8%; p<0.05) and using cessation treatment (35.2% versus 41.5%; p<0.05), but similar prevalence of quit success (9.5% versus 7.9%; p = 0.19). Opportunities exist for both public health and health care sectors to increase smoking cessation, including expanding access to and utilization of cessation services and supports. Incorporating equitable cessation strategies into all commercial tobacco prevention and control efforts can help advance and support smoking cessation for all population groups.

Systematic Review of Naturally Derived Substances That Act as Inhibitors of the Nicotine Metabolizing Enzyme Cytochrome P450 2A6.

Tobacco smoking has been highlighted as a major health challenge in modern societies. Despite not causing death directly, smoking has been associated with several health issues, such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders, and several cancer types. Moreover, exposure to nicotine during pregnancy has been associated with adverse neurological disorders in babies. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is the most common strategy employed for smoking cessation, but despite its widespread use, NRT presents with low success and adherence rates. This is attributed partially to the rate of nicotine metabolism by cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) in each individual. Nicotine addiction is correlated with the high rate of its metabolism, and thus, novel strategies need to be implemented in NRT protocols. Naturally derived products are a cost-efficient and rich source for potential inhibitors, with the main advantages being their abundance and ease of isolation. This systematic review aims to summarize the natural products that have been identified as CYP2A6 inhibitors, validated through in vitro and/or in vivo assays, and could be implemented as nicotine metabolism inhibitors. The scope is to present the different compounds and highlight their possible implementation in NRT strategies. Additionally, this information would provide valuable insight regarding CYP2A6 inhibitors, that can be utilized in drug development via the use of in silico methodologies and machine-learning models to identify new potential lead compounds for optimization and implementation in NRT regimes.

Rational Design of a Flavoenzyme for Aerobic Nicotine Catabolism.

Enzymatic therapy with nicotine-degrading enzyme is a new strategy in treating nicotine addiction, which can reduce nicotine concentrations and weaken withdrawal in the rat model. However, when O2 is used as the electron acceptor, no satisfactory performance has been achieved with one of the most commonly studied and efficient nicotine-catabolizing enzymes, NicA2. To obtain more efficient nicotine-degrading enzyme, we rationally designed and engineered a flavoenzyme Pnao, which shares high structural similarity with NicA2 (RMSD = 1.143 Å) and efficiently catalyze pseudooxynicotine into 3-succinoyl-semialdehyde pyridine using O2. Through amino acid alterations with NicA2, five Pnao mutants were generated, which can degrade nicotine in Tris-HCl buffer and retained catabolic activity on its natural substrate. Nicotine-1'-N-oxide was identified as one of the reaction products. Four of the derivative mutants showed activity in rat serum and Trp220 and Asn224 were found critical for enzyme specificity. Our findings offer a novel avenue for research into aerobic nicotine catabolism and provides a promising method of generating additional nicotine-catalytic enzymes.

Treating neuropathic pain and nicotine dependence: Epibatidine derivatives as potential therapeutics

Treating neuropathic pain and nicotine dependence: Epibatidine derivatives as potential therapeutics Lance R. McMahon, Ph.D. and Jenny L. Wilkerson, Ph.D. from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, describe the search for the magic bullet to treat both neuropathic pain and nicotine dependence using novel epibatidine derivatives as potential therapeutics. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), specifically nAChR containing α4β2* subunits (* denotes additional receptor subunits), are known for their role in nicotine dependence and addiction (1). These receptors are found throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems on neuronal, glial, and immune cells (2). Although varenicline, an α4β2 nAChR* partial agonist, is a useful smoking cessation pharmacotherapy, the largest individual cause of preventable death continues to be cigarette smoking. (1)

Blunted midbrain reward activation during smoking withdrawal: a preliminary study.

Tobacco smoking is the leading preventable cause of death, causing more than six million deaths annually worldwide, mainly due to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Many habitual smokers try to stop smoking but only about 7% are successful, despite widespread knowledge of the risks. Development of addiction to a range of substances is associated with progressive blunting of brain reward responses and sensitisation of stress responses, as described by the allostasis theory of addiction. There is pre-clinical evidence from rodents for a dramatic decrease in brain reward function during nicotine withdrawal. Here we tested the hypothesis that habitual smokers would also exhibit blunted reward function during nicotine withdrawal using a decision-making task and fMRI. Our findings supported this hypothesis, with midbrain reward-related responses particularly blunted. We also tested the hypothesis that smokers with a longer duration of smoking would have more pronounced abnormalities. Contrary to expectations, we found that a shorter duration of smoking in younger smokers was associated with the most marked abnormalities, with blunted midbrain reward related activation including the dopaminergic ventral tegmental area. Given the substantial mortality associated with smoking, and the small percent of people who manage to achieve sustained abstinence, further translational studies on nicotine addiction mechanisms are indicated.

THE EFFECT OF NURSES' CHALLENGES TO STOPPING SMOKING ON NICOTINE ADDICTIONS

This study was conducted to examine the effects of nurses' difficulties in quitting smoking and their socio-demographic characteristics on Nicotine addictions. A cross-sectional study was conducted between August and November 2022. The study reached 410 nurses. The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence and the challenges to stopping smoking were used in the study. In the analysis of data; percentage, number, and linear regression techniques were used. It was determined that 30.3% of the nurses had high Nicotine Addiction. It was determined that the mean score of the Internal factors sub-dimension of the Nurses' challenges to stopping smoking was 28.89±8.06, the mean score of the Extrinsic Factors sub-dimension was 23.07±8.36, and the mean Nicotine Addiction scale score was 4.20±2.51. It was determined that the smoking nurse's age, perceived income level, smoking duration, and internal factors sub-dimension of the difficulties in quitting smoking had a 34% effect on the Nicotine addiction test. It was determined that the smoking addiction levels of the nurses who had difficulties in quitting smoking were higher. The Extrinsic Factors sub-dimension of the challenges to stopping smoking of nurses who smoked did not affect Nicotine Addiction status.

Understanding the Cardiovascular Fallout of E-cigarettes: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature.

E-cigarettes (ECs) deliver chemicals, including nicotine. They can cause respiratory distress, addiction, cardiovascular effects, and death. More research is needed, especially regarding their impact on the cardiovascular system(CVS) and during pregnancy. Our article aims to fill this gap by summarizing studies elaborating upon the current impact of ECs and the components thereof on the CVS. Acute respiratory distress outbreaks, nicotine addiction, CVS effects, and deaths have been occasionally reported within this cohort, although these events are not uncommon with neighboring age groups. Randomized control trials implying ECs have some contribution towardquitting smoking have been studied. To regulate EC distribution, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have created key checkpoints. Additionally, taxation, pricing, age restriction, and media campaigns could be modulated to significantly reduce illicit sales. Education to the users, distributors, and regulators about this product can also play an aiding role in promoting responsible EC use.Another strategy about licensing could be employed, which could incentivize genuine resellers. The effects on CVS and child-bearing by ECs are grim, which calls for strict regulation, awareness, and avoidance by the teetotaler public. They may help individuals stop smoking butnot without harming themselves. Strict regulations are necessary to prevent non-judicious use of these devices.

Nicotine Use Frequency and Addiction among Medical Students

Objective: Evaluating the rate of smoking and factors associated with nicotine addiction in university students will provide targetoriented interventions for students. For this reason, this study aims to measure the frequency of nicotine use and nicotine dependence and related factors among medical students. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, an online questionnaire about nicotine use frequency and dependence was sent to a state university’s medical students via mobile phones. No sample size was calculated, instead, the study aimed to reach a total of 1522 medical students. The Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Test was used to measure nicotine dependence levels. p&lt; .05 was considered as statistically significance level. Results: Of the students, 79.3% (n=306) were non-smokers, 14.7% (n=57) were smokers and 6.0% (n=23) of the students were ex-smokers. Male students, students not living with their families, students with a higher income, and those having at least one smoking parent had statistically significantly higher smoking rates (p&lt; .05). According to the Fagerström Test, of the smoking students, 63.2% (n=36) had low nicotine dependency, 33.3% (n=19) had moderate nicotine dependency, and 3.5% (n=2) showed high nicotine dependency. Conclusion: Smoking rates were high in medical students, despite the medical knowledge related the negative health outcomes. And students had high level of nicotine dependence. Further studies are needed about the strategies on the prevention of smoking among medical students.

Smoking Cessation Support for Active Smokers

Smoking behavior is a significant risk factor causing heart and blood vessel disorders and resulting in high mortality rates. It is essential to stop this behavior as an effort to prevent and control risk factors, break the chain of nicotine addiction, and reduce the prevalence of heart and blood vessel disease. This study aimed to improve the knowledge and attitudes of smoking cessation in active smokers. The coaching clinic using smoking effect video learning for nine active smokers in RT 02 RW 06 Pasar Ambacang, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. A smoking cessation questionnaire was used to measure attitudes of respondents. The results found a significant increase in smoking cessation scores from 18 to 22 after participating in education. Video-based education is effective for increasing knowledge and motivating smokers to want to stop smoking. Continuous education and assistance are needed to increase the implementation of smoking cessation in the community.

Why making smoking cessation a priority for rare interstitial lung disease smokers?

This review aims to discuss the complex relationship between smoking and interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), emphasizing the significant morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions. While the etiology of ILDs remains multifactorial, cigarette smoking emerges as a prominent modifiable risk factor implicated in their pathogenesis and progression. This narrative review will provide insight into smoking-associated interstitial lung diseases and personalised approaches to smoking cessation. Epidemiological studies consistently link smoking to ILDs such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), respiratory bronchiolitis-associated ILD (RB-ILD), and desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP), highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive tobacco cessation strategies. Despite the established benefits of smoking cessation, adherence to cessation programs remains challenging due to nicotine addiction, psychological factors, and social influences. The modest success rates of smoking cessation in ILD patients, emphasises the importance of tailored interventions and ongoing support is needed to overcome barriers and to improve outcomes of quitting smoking in this category of vulnerable patients.

Associations of educational and marketing messages with beliefs about nicotine and reduced nicotine cigarettes

IntroductionWidespread misperceptions about nicotine may have unintended effects on public health. We examined associations between existing messages about nicotine or tobacco and beliefs about nicotine and reduced nicotine cigarettes (RNC). Methods2962 U.S. 18–45-year-olds were randomized in a May 2022 web-based survey to view one of 26 text-based messages about tobacco or nicotine from three sources: ongoing research (n = 8), messages authorized by FDA for VLN cigarettes (n = 6), and FDA's “From Plant to Product to Puff” campaign (n = 12); six messages from FDA's campaign did not reference nicotine and were treated as the reference source. Analyses examined associations between messages, grouped by source and individually, with beliefs about nicotine and RNC addictiveness and harms. ResultsRelative to FDA messages that did not reference nicotine, all message sources were associated with greater odds of a correct belief about nicotine (Odds Ratios [ORs] = 1.40–1.87, p's < 0.01); VLN messages were associated with greater correct beliefs about RNC addictiveness (b = 0.23, p < .05). No campaign produced greater correct beliefs about RNC harms. At the individual level, only five messages were associated with a correct belief about nicotine (ORs = 2.12–2.56, p-values < .01), and one with correct beliefs about RNC harms (b = 1.09, p < .05), vs. the reference message. ConclusionsFew existing messages improved understanding of the risks of nicotine separately from the risks of combustible products. Communication research is needed to promote greater public understanding of nicotine while minimizing unintended effects on nicotine and tobacco use.

Impact of Serine Racemase Deletion on Nicotine Discrimination.

The high comorbidity between schizophrenia and cigarette smoking points to a possible shared heritable factor predisposing individuals with schizophrenia to nicotine addiction. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor has been highly implicated in both schizophrenia and nicotine addiction. In the present study, we used mice with a null mutation on the serine racemase gene (srr), an established risk gene for schizophrenia, which encodes the enzyme to produce the NMDA receptor co-agonist D-serine, to model the pathology of schizophrenia and to determine whether NMDA receptor hypofunction reduced the ability of srr-/- mice to identify nicotine's subjective effects. Established nicotine discrimination procedures were used to train srr-/- and wild-type (WT) mice to discriminate 0.4mg/kg nicotine under a 10-response fixed-ratio (FR10) schedule of food reinforcement. Results show that WT mice reliably acquired 0.4mg/kg nicotine discrimination in about 54 training session, whereas srr-/- mice failed to acquire robust 0.4mg/kg nicotine discrimination even after extended (>70) training sessions. These results show that NDMA receptor hypofunction in srr-/- mice decreased sensitivity to the interoceptive effects of nicotine. Projected to humans, NMDA receptor hypofunction caused by mutations to the serine racemase gene in schizophrenia may reduce sensitivity to nicotine's subjective effects leading to increased nicotine consumption to produce the same effects as those unaffected by schizophrenia. There is high comorbidity between schizophrenia and nicotine dependence as well as possible shared genetic risk factors between the two. The serine racemase knockout mouse (srr-/-) with NMDA receptor hypofunction has been developed a model for schizophrenia. We found that srr-/- mice were unable to acquire 0.4mg/kg nicotine discrimination, whilst wild-type mice readily discriminated nicotine. These results show that decreased NMDA receptor function present in srr-/- mice and patients with schizophrenia may result in reduced sensitivity to nicotine's interoceptive effects, leading to increased nicotine consumption to produce the same subjective effects as those unaffected by schizophrenia.

Disposable e-cigarette use and associated factors in US middle and high school students, 2021-2022.

Disposable e-cigarettes are the predominant type of vaping product used by adolescents and pose a significant public health concern. Identifying factors contributing to this growing trend is essential to curbing the vaping epidemic among youths. This study aims to investigate the growing prevalence and correlates of disposable e-cigarette use among US students. Data from 48437 US middle and high school students from the 2021 and 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) were analyzed using logistic and ordinal regression models to evaluate disposable e-cigarette use and frequency of use (low, medium, and high) with demographic and psychosocial factors. Weighted prevalence of current e-cigarette use with 95% CIs by device types in 2021 and 2022, were calculated. Odds ratios (ORs) of correlations of disposable e-cigarette use and frequency of use with demographic and psychosocial factors were analyzed. Disposable e-cigarette use increased from 3.9% (95% CI: 3.3-4.7) in 2021 to 5.1% (95% CI: 4.2-6.1) in 2022, and was associated with being female (OR=1.57; 95% CI: 1.29-1.91 vs male), high schoolers (OR=5.14; 95% CI: 3.96-6.67 vs middle schoolers), having low harm perceptions of e-cigarettes (OR=7.75; 95% CI: 5.58-10.75 vs lot of harm), and high exposure to marketing (OR=1.57; 95% CI: 1.05-2.35 vs low exposure). Identifying as LGBTQ (OR=1.41; 95% CI: 1.00-2.00 vs straight), having low academic performance (OR=2.16; 95% CI: 1.15-4.07, D vs A grades), and having psychological distress (OR=2.01; 95% CI: 1.64-2.47, severe vs none) were also linked to increased frequency of use. This study underscores increasing disposable e-cigarette use among US students, noting existing disparities. It identifies high-risk adolescent subgroups vulnerable to disposable e-cigarette use. These findings emphasize the urgency of targeted prevention and stricter regulations on disposable e-cigarettes to combat nicotine addiction among youths.

Dietary supplementation with a wild green oat extract (Avena sativa L.) to improve wellness and wellbeing during smoking reduction or cessation: a randomized double-blind controlled study.

Smoking reduction or cessation are critical public health goals, given the well-documented risks of tobacco use to health. Reducing smoking frequency and cessation entirely are challenging due to nicotine addiction and withdrawal symptoms, which can significantly affect mental wellness and overall wellbeing. Previous research has suggested that certain dietary supplements may support smoking cessation and reduction efforts by mitigating these adverse effects. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of supplementation with 900 mg/day of Neuravena®, a green oat extract (GOE) of Avena sativa L., in enhancing wellness and wellbeing during a smoking reduction or cessation experience. This was an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, ClinicalTrials Identifier: NCT04749017 (https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04749017). Participants were assigned to one of the study groups, 72 participants were assigned to GOE and 73 to placebo. The subjects were followed for 8-weeks intervention period as well as an additional 4-week follow-up period. At subsequent visits, they underwent clinical assessments including assessments of quality of life, perceived stress, depression, nicotine dependence, anxiety, cognitive performance, and specific assessments of craving intensity. GOE was associated with greater improvements in elements of the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire as compared with placebo. Similar results were obtained from the SF-36 questionnaire and a visual QoL analogue scale (VAS). Perceived stress levels showed greater decline from baseline among the GOE supplemented participants as compared to placebo. Sleep quality parameters improved with GOE supplementation and worsened in the placebo group. At the end of the intervention period, the percentage of successful reducers (defined as >20% reduction in daily cigarettes) was higher in the GOE group as compared to placebo (66.7% vs. 49.3%, p = 0.034). The improvements from baseline in QoL measures in the GOE group persisted at 4 weeks after termination of the intervention. GOE supplementation demonstrated greater improvements in quality of life measures, stress and sleep related parameters during a smoking reduction or cessation experience and the product was shown to be safe and well tolerated.