The FDA recently approved a shot to stop smoking called the SMART shot. It is a combination of two medicines called scopolamine and atarax (an antihistamine similar to Benadryl). These two medicines block the nicotine receptors in the brain, and also decrease the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking.
After the initial shot, there is a series of continuing medication over the next two weeks with a scopoamine patch and oral medications. Do take note that scopolamine and atarax are extracts of the deadly Nightshade. Scopolamine is often prescribed for motion sickness and atarax is safe as an antihistamine. These drugs are in very low concentrations compared to lethal concentrations and thus pose no threat to life.
The benefits of using a stop smoking shot are that:
- they are almost 80% effective,
- they do not force you to rely on nicotine gum or nicotine patches, and
- it has less withdrawal symptoms than other methods of quitting.
The disadvantages are:
- cost (cold turkey is free where the SMART shot costs around $450.00),
- the uncertainty of effectiveness (there is a small chance the shot does not work), and
- possible side effects.
One current shot is called the NicVAX or the nicotine vaccine. This shot works by keeping nicotine from reaching the brain, which makes smoking less pleasurable, and encourages the user to quit.
In a clinical trial, 301 long time smokers in several U.S. Cities were given 4 to 5 shots over a period of six months, at one dose, two doses, or no dose. It was a double blind study. A year into the study, 14 percent of lower dose participants quit, and 16 percent of higher dose participants quit. 73 people dropped out of the study. Only 6 percent of the 'no dose' participants quit.
As you can see, there are a couple of stop smoking shots in the market. To decide which one suits you, you need to consult your doctor.
After the initial shot, there is a series of continuing medication over the next two weeks with a scopoamine patch and oral medications. Do take note that scopolamine and atarax are extracts of the deadly Nightshade. Scopolamine is often prescribed for motion sickness and atarax is safe as an antihistamine. These drugs are in very low concentrations compared to lethal concentrations and thus pose no threat to life.
The benefits of using a stop smoking shot are that:
- they are almost 80% effective,
- they do not force you to rely on nicotine gum or nicotine patches, and
- it has less withdrawal symptoms than other methods of quitting.
The disadvantages are:
- cost (cold turkey is free where the SMART shot costs around $450.00),
- the uncertainty of effectiveness (there is a small chance the shot does not work), and
- possible side effects.
One current shot is called the NicVAX or the nicotine vaccine. This shot works by keeping nicotine from reaching the brain, which makes smoking less pleasurable, and encourages the user to quit.
In a clinical trial, 301 long time smokers in several U.S. Cities were given 4 to 5 shots over a period of six months, at one dose, two doses, or no dose. It was a double blind study. A year into the study, 14 percent of lower dose participants quit, and 16 percent of higher dose participants quit. 73 people dropped out of the study. Only 6 percent of the 'no dose' participants quit.
As you can see, there are a couple of stop smoking shots in the market. To decide which one suits you, you need to consult your doctor.
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