Using tDCS (mild brain stimulation) to reduce vaping

Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Vaping Reduction in Daily E-cigarette Users: a Pilot Study

This project will try daily transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to reduce cravings and vaping in adults who use nicotine e-cigarettes every day and are not planning to quit.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Toronto, Ontario)
• Trial ID: NCT06885606 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults aged 18–65 who have used nicotine e-cigarettes daily for at least six months and are not planning to quit will be enrolled at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. Participants will receive either active tDCS or sham (placebo) tDCS and will attend daily stimulation sessions Monday through Friday for two consecutive weeks. The study will measure changes in vaping craving and behavior around the stimulation period. People with other substance use disorders, current tobacco or nicotine-replacement use, unstable psychiatric conditions, recent significant head trauma, or seizure history are excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults 18–65 who vape nicotine daily for at least six months, are not planning to quit in the next 30 days, can provide consent, and can attend daily clinic visits for two weeks.

Not a fit: People with other substance use disorders, current cigarette smokers or nicotine-replacement users, unstable psychiatric illness, a history of seizures, or those seeking immediate quit treatment may not receive benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce e-cigarette cravings and help some people cut down or stop vaping using a brief, low-cost noninvasive treatment.

How similar studies have performed: Prior tDCS studies have shown mixed but sometimes promising reductions in craving for nicotine and other substances, though specific evidence for vaping is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* The participant must meet all of the inclusion criteria to be eligible for this research study:

  1. Be able to provide informed written consent
  2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures
  3. Age 18 - 65 years
  4. Is a daily regular use of nicotine-containing e-cigarette for at least the past 6 months
  5. Is willing to attend daily appointments for tDCS for two consecutive weeks (Monday through Friday)
  6. Is not interested in or planning to quit vaping in the next 30 days.

Exclusion Criteria:

* An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this research study:

  1. Substance use disorder (other than nicotine dependence) (M.I.N.I. SCID) (confirmed with urine drug screen)
  2. Current regular use of tobacco cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapy or other medications for smoking cessation
  3. Unstable psychiatric condition
  4. Recent clinically significant head trauma\*
  5. History of seizures and/or epilepsy\*
  6. Pacemakers or implanted electrical devices such as cochlear implants\*
  7. Metal embedded in the skull\*
  8. Skin lesions, open wounds, bruising, or similar injuries on the scalp\*

Where this trial is running

Toronto, Ontario

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Eunice Chen, M.Sc.

Conditions: Vaping, Addiction, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, E-cigarettes, Brain stimulation, tDCS, Nicotine