Posted by Kelsey Ulanowicz
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Some Smokey Chemistry
Recently, researchers have been working to come to the aid of the millions of smokers worldwide. For those plagued with the addictiveness of nicotine, they know that quitting isn’t even the hardest part. The vaccine NicVAX made by NABI Biopharmaceuticals, which is moving closer to approval, works to curve the chances of relapses among smokers. Because of the small nature of the nicotine molecules, they are undetectable to the immune system and can bind to the cells of the brain when they slip through the blood-barrier. The NicVAX vaccine works by releasing large quantities of nicotine molecules into the body that have carrier proteins attached. The body then forms antibodies that attach to nicotine the next time it is introduced to the body making them large enough to be detected. Although it may not work for everyone yet, the vaccine is in the third testing phase and is to be released in the near future. If this vaccine proves to be effective, more anti-addiction vaccines are to follow changing the face of vaccinations and their uses.
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This is really interesting. It is still best not to start smoking in the first place though. This connects chemistry and biology well.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to see how prevalent smoking is on campus when I got to college. I feel like kids are starting to smoke at a younger and younger age. I would never relate the concept of smoking with all of the addicting nicotine and different molecules that swim through our immune system. This article helps you break down the bigger picture of smoking and how it works within and effects the body. It is interesting to see how many anti-smoking and special preventatives are being introduced to our generation due to the large amount of smoking. I understand it would hard to cut the habit of smoking especially when it is intertwined with the chemistry and biology of the body. We condition and take responsibility of our bodies , so it is good to see that many people are making an effort to try different solutions to curve their cravings.
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting how this vaccine does not necessarily destroy the nicotine molecules directly, rather it creates antibodies that make the nicotine more detectible. If this vaccine does indeed work, it would radically change the world as we know it today. Over a fifth of adult Americans are regular smokers, and I think it is safe to say that a large portion of this percentage wishes they could quit. This extraordinary vaccine could finally make their dreams come true.
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