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Stop Smoking Vaccine
Question:
A vaccine to stop smoking? Tell me more.

Answer:
The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is testing a nicotine blocking vaccine developed by Nabi Biopharmaceuticals. The vaccine works with the immune system to keep nicotine from reaching the brain. When nicotine is in the brain it stimulates neuron-receptors that give a positive sensation which can develop into an addiction that is difficult to break. With the vaccine, it makes the immune system make antibodies directed at small nicotine molecules. The nicotine molecules will then become bound to the antibodies preventing the nicotine from reaching the brain. The immune antibodies of this vaccine remain in the body for many months. The researchers hope that the duration of the vaccine will prevent a relapse in smoking. If a person started to smoke after a relapse, they wouldn't get the nicotine rush that would get them to smoke again.