Want to quit smoking? Clinical trial to examine brain stimulation as cessation aid
Researchers at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre are exploring whether a non-invasive brain stimulation can help reduce smoking cravings and support quitting.
Individuals who are motivated to quit smoking are invited to participate in a clinical trial that could help reduce cravings and support smoking cessation.
Researchers will evaluate the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of accelerated deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (aTMS) delivered in a short, five-day schedule. Participants will receive onsite treatment (approximately three hours per day) at Waypoint or Sunnybrook, followed by five follow-up visits over the course of six months.
How it works:
The treatment uses a Health Canada-approved device that delivers magnetic pulses to target areas of the brain involved in nicotine cravings — no medication or anesthesia required. Many participants find the procedure well-tolerated, with only mild side effects like a temporary headache or scalp discomfort.
This clinical trial is one of the first at Waypoint and offers a promising alternative to traditional smoking cessation methods. Financial compensation is provided for participation.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be aged 18 years or older
- Regular smoker
- Motivated to quit or reduce smoking
5-day onsite treatment (approximately 3 hours per day) and 5 follow-up visits over 6 months.
Those who are 18 and older smoke regularly and are motivated to quit or reduce smoking.
Those interested need to be 18 years of age or older.
aTMS, or accelerated deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, is a brain stimulation treatment that uses a Health Canada–approved device to deliver magnetic pulses to target areas of the brain involved in nicotine cravings.
No medication or anesthesia is required; participants will stay awake and alert throughout the treatment.