This isn't new news, but I just heard about it tonight. Very interesting. Here's my non-scientific explanation:

Scientists are in the second stages of testing a vaccine that tricks the body into thinking that it is being attacked by the nicotine molecules. This causes the release of antibodies that bind to the nicotine. The molecules themselves are small enough to make their way into the brain, but when bound to an antibody, they are too large. This prevents the nicotine from entering the brain and - as such - decreases the the activity of the nerve cells that are effected by the nicotine molecules. In other words, people can still smoke, and still have ill health effects, but the addiction can be diminished because smokers would no longer get the same stimulation they get from smoking.

Results of testing so far are showing a success rate of smoking cessation near 60%. The highest that any other methods can claim is a low of about 3% for "cold turkey" and a high of about 30% for prescription aids such as Zyban - with an average success rate in the 20s (therapy, OTC treatments, etc.)

This could have some amazing ethical implications.

From what I read about Chantix, that's exactly what it does.

It blocks your receptors from receiving any pleasure from the cigarette, so you just give it up (according to co-workers).

A lot of them are on it, 1 has finally quit, the rest don't smoke nearly as often and they don't finish their cigarettes.

Don't want to hijack your thread but there is a medication that treats addiction...one you'd never expect. I stumbled upon this years ago....

I had migraines and wanted to die. Was shooting myself-shots-daily. Googled research and found a drug w/ OFF LABEL use CURED migraines but was not FDA approved. Was an anti seziure medication. Well, side effect was weight loss. hey!!! I took it to my doc, talked him into it. Dropped 70lbs in a year.

FDA finally approved this drug for migraine therapy. Just this week article published saying this same drug has been shown to treat addiction to alcohol. Addiction to food, addiction to alcohol... hmmmmm....

topirimate aka topomax

we shall see!

FDA finally approved this drug for migraine therapy. Just this week article published saying this same drug has been shown to treat addiction to alcohol. Addiction to food, addiction to alcohol... hmmmmm....

topirimate aka topomax

we shall see!

Do you recall where you read the article?

Yahoo home page. Let's see if I can find it.... hope these are it.

Topomax (Topiramate) May Treat Alcohol Dependence

Alcoholism : Addiction Medication : The Addiction Recovery Guide