Israelis find new way for quitting smoking
Using magnetism, researchers from Ben-Gurion University say they can effectively help smokers cut down on nicotine
Nicotine addiction is one of the most prevalent dependencies in the world today despite billions of dollars dedicated to showing the problems associated with cigarettes. Shifts in North American culture have particularly seen a decline in people smoking, but there are still those who struggle with their addiction every day.
Sounds simple enough, right?
Researchers from Israel’s Ben-Gurion University, however, may have found a new way to help smokers quit and all it takes is some “transcranial magnetic stimulation.”
No More Puffing?
Sarit Rosenblum
Health Ministry survey finds 27.2% of Israeli men, 14.5% of Israeli women are smokers. More than 30% of smoking population says it has cut down on cigarettes due to smoking ban
According to the BBC, results from an early test suggest that the magnetic procedure, which stimulates neurons to alter brain function, may help reduce cravings in smokers.
The experiment had 115 participants who had the procedure applied to parts of their brains associated with nicotine addiction, the prefrontal cortex and the insular cortex. The results show that smokers exposed to high frequency treatments were more likely to quit smoking within six months and experience less craving.
Dr. Abraham Zangen, one of the researchers involved in the study, said: "We know that many smokers want to quit or smoke less, and this could help put a dent in the number one cause of preventable deaths."
Good news for those who struggle with the bad habit, but the scientists were quick to point out that the results were still preliminary. Such a procedure needs to go through a significant amount of testing before becoming available to regular people.
Reprinted with permission from Shalom Life
