TMS evidence

Addiction to nicotine and smoking

Addiction to nicotine is the single issue that prevents millions from stopping smoking.

As you may have experienced when trying to quit smoking yourself, the addictive cravings are very tricky to combat. With 75% of smokers relapsing due to the cravings, you’re not alone if you have tried to give up but been unsuccessful.

There is no doubt that smoking is extremely harmful, yet once the habit has formed, it is very difficult to break.

The Royal College of Physicians’ 2000 report on nicotine addiction states that

“…it is reasonable to conclude that nicotine delivered through tobacco smoke should be regarded as an addictive drug, and tobacco use as the means of self-administration”

“…Cigarettes are highly efficient nicotine delivery devices and are as addictive as drugs such as heroin or cocaine.”

Smoking tobacco (i.e. cigarettes, cigars, pipes) is the fastest way of delivering nicotine to the bloodstream and this makes it all the more potentially addictive. Furthermore, tobacco smoke includes a range of other chemicals which enhance the addictive nature of nicotine.

The health benefits of stopping smoking are immense.

Study results – TMS treatment for smoking/nicotine addiction

• A study in 2003 lead to the discovery of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation being effective in treating smoking addictions. When combined with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), TMS was proven to be effective in reducing cravings associated with the addiction to cigarettes.
• Further studies have been carried out over a number of years. During one such research project, 37 people who were addicted to smoking were given either sham TMS or real TMS. By the end of the 10 sessions of treatment, 16 out of the 18 patients treated with real TMS had completely stopped smoking, whereas only 9 of the 19 patients treated with sham treatment had managed to stop. With 89% of patients avoiding their cravings entirely, compared to 47% of patients who were able to stop without the help of TMS, reports were published acknowledging TMS as providing “promising results”.

The Verdict

Can TMS help you stop smoking?

At Smart TMS, our results are very similar to those demonstrated within the various trials, with a high percentage of our patients reporting reduction in their cravings which allowed them to stop smoking entirely.

If you’re serious about stopping smoking, your clinician can talk to you about additional talking therapies that may help alongside TMS treatment to maximise the result.