The organic chemical compound, cytisine (Cj 1H14 2O), has already been widely used for smoking cessation in tablet form. In Eastern Europe it is available under the names Tabex or Desmoxan, whilst it has been recently launched in Canada under the brand name Cravv.

Different adverse effects than nicotine

Cytisine demonstrates similar effects on the body to those produced via nicotine, yet is proven to have less addictive properties.
A study published in 2014 in The New England Journal of Medicine, looked at the compound’s effectivity for smoking cessation when compared to that of Nicotine Replacement Therapy. “When combined with brief behavioral support, cytisine was found to be superior to nicotine-replacement therapy in helping smokers quit smoking, but it was associated with a higher frequency of self-reported adverse events.” concluded the study.

A typical e-liquid solution would consist of  90% glycol and 10% cytisine. “The objective of the invention entitled “A liquid with cytisine for electronic cigarettes” is to provide a liquid for e-cigarettes containing an addition of extracted or synthetically obtained cytisine in a dose ranging from 0.000000001% to 99.999999999% of given liquid volume. This problem has been solved by combining a liquid, solution, and/or emulsion or a mixture thereof in the amount of from 0.000000001% to 99.999999999% of given quantity of the liquefied mass with a dose of cytisine ranging from 0.000000001%) to 99.999999999% in such a way that the added cytisine increases the mass of said liquid and changes its properties, as a result of which a liquid is obtained characterised in that it contains substances other than nicotine in the amount from 0.000000001% to 99.999999999% of the liquid volume and a dose of cytisine in the amount from 0.000000001% to 99.999999999%.” read an extract from Sumo Brain in announcing the patent.

Same effect as nicotine minus the addiction?

Cytisine demonstrates similar effects on the body to those produced via nicotine by attaching to the same receptors in our brain. It has a stimulating effect on the autonomic nervous system, increases the secretion of adrenaline and stimulates the vasomotor centre, hence leads to an elevated blood pressure. Yet it has been proven to have less addictive properties than nicotine, hence lacks the main dangerous aspect of the substance.

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John Summers
John Summers
6 years ago

This isn’t the first time cytisine (also called baptitoxine or sophorine) has been suggested many times around cessation etc.

Oddly enough, it pretty much failed in previous outings. Why?

Simple – it’s not safer than nicotine, this is all about “addiction”…

Teratogenic – causes birth defects
Suspected carcinogen
Skin and eye irritant
Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, convulsions, heart pain, headache and, in larger doses, death via respiratory failure.

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