Research cocaine vaccine

Two scientists at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston are currently working on a cocaine vaccine in hopes that it will be the first drug for people with addiction. Dr. Tom Kosten, a professor of psychiatry with the help of his wife, Therese, a psychologist and neurologist, conducted the study. He said: ' This drug will be very helpful for people who want to quit smoking. Most drug addicts often feel craving for drugs and relapse again, but for patients who are effective with the drug will not go bout and do not crave medication anymore. '

Vaccines that are still in the process of experimenting will stimulate the immune system to attack drug molecules as soon as they enter the body.

Often the immune system cannot recognize cocaine and other addictive molecules because they are too small to create antibodies to attack again. Kosten has attached the cocaine molecule that has been weakened to the appearance of cholera protein molecules, which is also weakened to help the immune system recognize substances.

A new treatment to help cocaine addicts resist the effects of drugs.(Photo: ABC News)

Furthermore, the immune system not only produces antibodies against this harmful combination, but also knows very strong addictive molecules in the body. Antibodies bind to cocaine and prevent them from contacting the brain - which creates excitement.

David Eagleman - neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine said: 'This is a smart initiative. Scientists have spent the last few decades discovering the pathway to the excitement zone in the brain and how drugs like cocaine 'leak' through the immune system. These roads are difficult to reset once exposed to addictive substances. But this vaccine will handle that. '

Kosten asked the Food and Drug Administration to allow an experiment to resonate with the vaccine in the spring, but he is still waiting for a response.

If approved, this will be a breakthrough in cocaine addiction treatment that requires a 12-step program and neurological treatment guidelines. Financial problems are probably an obstacle to keeping this vaccine for decades to be accepted. Besides, there are also warning experts not to hope too much.

Dr David Gorelick, a researcher at the Drug Abuse Institute, said: 'The cocaine vaccine is indeed a promising step. But like other detoxification measures, it cannot work for everyone. But if they succeed, then this will be an important option for those who work for patients' addiction.