The Potential of a New Cocaine Vaccine to Reduce Drug Use
The new cocaine vaccine was given once a month in a small trial
Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images
A recent small trial conducted by Stephen Kaminsky at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City has shown promising results for an experimental vaccine aimed at curbing cocaine use. The vaccine, administered through monthly injections over a 32-week period, demonstrated a 17% increase in negative cocaine tests in participants compared to those who received a placebo injection.
Kaminsky noted that all participants in the trial were classified as severely addicted to cocaine, making the results particularly significant. The vaccine works by preventing cocaine from reaching the brain, thereby reducing the drug’s reinforcing effects and potentially decreasing cravings and usage.
