The Use of TDCS for Vaping Reduction

Launched by CENTRE FOR ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH · Mar 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to help people reduce their vaping habits using a technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). This method involves applying a small electrical current to specific areas of the brain to help decrease cravings for e-cigarettes. The goal is to find out if tDCS can effectively reduce how much people vape, especially since there are currently no approved treatments for e-cigarette addiction.

To participate in this study, you need to be between 18 and 65 years old and have been using nicotine-containing e-cigarettes daily for at least six months. You should also be willing to attend daily sessions for two weeks. However, you should not be planning to quit vaping in the next 30 days or have any other significant substance use issues. If you join the study, you will receive either the active tDCS treatment or a placebo (a treatment that doesn’t have the active ingredient) for ten days. The study will follow up with you by phone after one and three months to see how you’re doing. This trial is important because it could help create new strategies for reducing vaping, especially among young people who are increasingly using e-cigarettes.

Gender

ALL

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\*