Brain Stimulation Cuts Cigarette Use by 11 a Day in New Trial

A new clinical trial has shown that a targeted brain stimulation technique can help people cut down on smoking. The method, called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), adjusts brain activity to reduce cravings and lower carbon monoxide levels. Researchers found that stimulating a specific brain region led to a significant drop in daily cigarette use for at least a month after treatment. Quitting smoking often involves a struggle between an overactive reward system and a weakened self-control centre in the brain. This trial used rTMS, a noninvasive procedure already approved for treating depression and some smoking cessation programmes. The team tailored magnetic pulses to each participant’s brain structure using advanced imaging.

Stimulating the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)—the brain’s control hub—produced the best results. Participants who received this treatment smoked over 11 fewer cigarettes per day. Their cravings lessened, and their carbon monoxide levels dropped. By contrast, targeting the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC), which governs reward processing, did not yield meaningful improvements. The findings suggest that strengthening the control system naturally helps regulate the reward system, as confirmed by follow-up brain scans.

The study highlights the potential of precision rTMS in reducing smoking. Participants showed lasting reductions in cravings and cigarette use for weeks after treatment. While the method is still undergoing larger trials, it offers a promising tool for those struggling to quit.