Using kava to help adults quit smoking by easing stress and improving sleep
The potential of kava in enabling tobacco cessation - its holistic effects in managing stress and insomnia associated with abstinence
This project looks at whether a kava supplement can help adult smokers quit by reducing withdrawal-related stress and sleep problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11283931 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive a standardized kava supplement or a comparison treatment and be followed over time to see if it helps with quitting smoking, sleep, and stress during withdrawal. The team will use a randomized multi-arm approach with close safety monitoring, tracking quitting rates, sleep measures, stress symptoms, and biological markers. The work builds on a small pilot where one-week kava use showed promising biological and behavioral signals. Visits would include clinical assessments, questionnaires, and lab tests to monitor effects and safety.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who currently smoke and are interested in quitting, able to attend in-person visits at the study site, and who meet the trial's safety criteria would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People under 21, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or those with liver disease or taking medications that interact with kava would likely be excluded and not expected to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, kava could offer a new, well-tolerated option to reduce withdrawal stress and insomnia and improve quit rates for smokers.
How similar studies have performed: A small pilot trial showed promising biological and behavioral signals for short-term kava use, but larger randomized trials are still needed to confirm benefit and safety.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xing, Chengguo — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Xing, Chengguo
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.