Investigating the effects of different forms of nicotine on health
Official title: Clinical Pharmacology of Nicotine Enantiomers
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10863889 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how two different types of nicotine affect your health, and it's for people who want to help researchers understand how these substances work in the body, which could help shape future rules about nicotine products.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $700,343 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057282-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10863889 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include adults who use or are exposed to electronic cigarettes and are interested in understanding the effects of nicotine.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use nicotine products or have contraindications to nicotine exposure may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how different forms of nicotine, specifically the enantiomers (S)-nicotine and (R)-nicotine, affect human health. By conducting a clinical pharmacology study, researchers will analyze the metabolic pathways, cardiovascular effects, and potential for abuse of these nicotine forms. Patients may participate in trials that involve the administration of stable isotopes to track how these substances behave in the body. The goal is to provide critical data that could inform FDA regulations on synthetic nicotine products.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better regulations and safer nicotine products, ultimately improving public health.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research on the human pharmacology of nicotine enantiomers, animal studies suggest significant differences in their effects, indicating a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benowitz, Neal L — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Benowitz, Neal L
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.