As a Clinical Herbalist I KNOW the plants do amazing things, but in this present day of “evidence-based medicine” (a double-edged sword I might add) people need to see studies. Of course we also need to discern good science from bad science, what is great about plant science is there is little money invested in it (relatively speaking) which means very little corruption and ‘bought’ science. With this said, it’s still important to take into consideration where the funding for the studies come from, and the end points of the study. i find in herbalist circles, the science is oftentimes misinterpreted because the findings of the study, like all studies, have specific endpoints that are being examined, and particular criteria inherent in the design of the study. All this needs to be taken into account when reading a study, no matter what is being studied!
This study is interesting in that is accounted for physical and chemical signs of nicotine addiction and quantified those observations during withdrawal and while using L-theanine. BUT remember, these are MICE not people.
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L-theanine attenuates nicotine reward and withdrawal signs in mice
June 2023
Neuroscience Letters
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137279
Abstract
Background
L-theanine, 2-amino-4-(ethylcarbamoyl) butyric acid, an amino acid detected in green tea leaves, is used as a dietary supplement to attenuate stress and enhance mood and cognition. Furthermore, L-theanine induces anxiolytic effects in humans. Recently, L-theanine was reported to reduce morphine physical dependence in primates, suggesting the potential usefulness of L-theanine for drug dependence intervention.
Objective
The aim of this study is to determine whether L-theanine attenuates nicotine-withdrawal (somatic and affective signs) and nicotine reward in mice. We also investigated the effects of L-theanine on nicotinic receptors binding and function.
Methods
ICR male mice rendered dependent to nicotine through implanted subcutaneous osmotic minipumps for 14 days undertook precipitated nicotine withdrawal by mecamylamine on day 15. Anxiety-like behaviors using LDB, somatic signs observation and hot plate latency were assessed consecutively after treatment with L-theanine. Furthermore, we examined the effect of L-theanine on acute nicotine responses and nicotine conditioned reward in mice and on expressed nicotinic receptors in oocytes.
Key findings
L-theanine reduced in a dose-dependent manner anxiety-like behavior, hyperalgesia and somatic signs during nicotine withdrawal. Also, L-theanine decreased the nicotine CPP, but it did not affect the acute responses of nicotine. Finally, L-theanine did not alter the binding or the function of expressed α4β2 and α7 nAChRs.
Conclusion
Our results support the potential of L-theanine as a promising candidate for treating nicotine dependence.
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If you are interested, I have formulated an herbal blend that can help with nicotine withdrawal symptoms and based on this new study, I think I will be adding a bit of green tea into the mix. The formulation contains plants with a combination of actions to help the body detox from nicotine as well as using other herbs known to bind to the nicotine receptors (is a nicotine agonist) to reduce withdrawals. This herb is called Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) or Indian tobacco and is used as a smoking herb for lung ailments often combined with mullein leaf to open and soothe irritated lungs. Lobelia contains an alkaloid called lobeline, a known nicotine agonist and used in commercial blends for smoking cessation. Of course I use the whole plant not just the alkaloid (whole plant medicine is where it’s at). This plant is very powerful and should be used in small amounts. It’s considered a lung stimulant as it opens the alveoli of the lungs, but in large amounts can be a depressant and cause vomiting. (aka Pukeweed) I will often suggest people use a smoking blend to help wean off tobacco since it seems to satisfy the mental aspect of smoking without contributing to the physical addiction, but the blend I am most referring to is the Quit Smoking herbal tea to be drunk daily. I use herbs like dandelion (root and leaf), burdock root and red clover blossoms to cleanse the blood, lobelia to reduce withdrawal symptoms, skullcap (scutellaria laterifolia), passionflower (passiflora incarnata), and valerian root (Valeriania officinalis) to soothe the nervous system, and eleuthero root (Eleutherococcus Senticosus) for its adaptogenic affects aiding the body’s stress response.
I hope you found this information useful and perhaps can help someone stop smoking if they are struggling. While patches and other nicotine-containing products may help, the plant world is full of surprises offering up their healing in many ways.
Plant on!
Sara Woods Kender
sara@sarasherbs.com
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https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2023/08/23/what-is-in-those-vapes.aspx?ui=3bfef9138b02e28579fe95a56479a2cff2c323105dd5a185a42473ec7aa6cb29&sd=20110328&cid_source=dnl&cid_medium=email&cid_content=art1ReadMore&cid=20230823&foDate=false&mid=DM1453824&rid=1891301708
I've been vaping for about 12 years instead of smoking. https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/vaping-to-quit-smoking/