How cooling additives and synthetic nicotine affect e-cigarette taste and cravings
Examining Appeal and Addiction Potential of Novel e-Cigarette Constituents
This project tests whether a synthetic cooling agent (WS-3) and lab-made nicotine change how adult e-cigarette users experience flavor, irritation, and craving.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159816 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would use e-cigarettes under controlled conditions while researchers change levels of a synthetic cooling chemical (WS-3) and menthol and compare lab-made versus tobacco-derived nicotine. After pilot work to find safe concentrations, adult e-cig users (about half who also smoke combustible cigarettes) will be exposed to nine different WS-3/menthol combinations in nicotine-containing e-liquids. Researchers will collect your ratings of flavor, throat irritation, and craving, and measure indicators related to addiction potential. The goal is to understand which ingredients make e-cigs more appealing or likely to promote continued use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 or older who currently use e-cigarettes, including some who also use combustible tobacco.
Not a fit: People under 21, non-users of e-cigarettes, or those unwilling to take part in controlled e-cig exposures would not be eligible or likely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help regulators, clinicians, and consumers know which e-cig ingredients increase appeal or addiction risk and support safer product rules.
How similar studies have performed: Prior human studies show menthol and nicotine affect appeal and craving, but direct comparisons involving the synthetic coolant WS-3 and synthetic nicotine are new and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krishnan-Sarin, Suchitra — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Krishnan-Sarin, Suchitra
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.