Smoking - Black Pepper to Reduce the Need/Desire

March 7, 2007

Hey y'all,

Somebody mentioned that they'd heard that Black Pepper EO would help

to reduce the desire to smoke .. but there was no proof. There are

some studies on it.

The one below used to be at the following URL .. but its closed now

Y'all keep smiling. :-) Butch http://www.AV-AT.com

BLACK PEPPER (Piper nigrum) MAY HELP YOU QUIT SMOKING

Rose J. E. and Behm F. M. 'Inhalation of vapor from black pepper

extract reduces smoking withdrawal symptoms'. Drug & Alcohol

Dependence. 1994; 34(3):225-9

Previous studies have suggested that sensory cues associated with

cigarette smoking can suppress certain smoking withdrawal symptoms,

including craving for cigarettes. In this study we investigated the

subjective effects of a cigarette substitute delivering a vapor of

black pepper essential oil. Forty-eight cigarette smokers participated

in a 3-h session conducted after overnight deprivation from smoking.

Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: one group

of smokers puffed on a device that delivered a vapor from essential

oil of black pepper; a second group puffed on the device with a

mint/menthol cartridge, and a third group used a device containing an

empty cartridge. Subjects puffed and inhaled ad libitum from the

device throughout the session during which no smoking was allowed.

Reported craving for cigarettes was significantly reduced in the

pepper condition relative to each of the two control conditions. In

addition, negative affect and somatic symptoms of anxiety were

alleviated in the pepper condition relative to the unflavored placebo.

The intensity of sensations in the chest was also significantly higher

for the pepper condition.

These results support the view that respiratory tract sensations are

important in alleviating smoking withdrawal symptoms. Cigarette

substitutes delivering pepper constituents may prove useful in smoking

cessation treatment.

Recommended Posts