Evidence supporting the use of: N-acetylcysteine
For the health condition: Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been investigated as a potential treatment for addictions, including tobacco smoking and chewing, primarily based on its neurobiological effects. NAC is a precursor to glutathione and modulates the glutamatergic system, particularly by restoring extracellular glutamate levels in the nucleus accumbens—a brain region involved in addiction and reward pathways. Dysregulation of glutamate signaling is implicated in substance use disorders, and preclinical studies have shown that NAC can reduce drug-seeking behaviors in animal models.

In human studies, several small randomized controlled trials and pilot studies have evaluated NAC for smoking cessation or reduction. Some trials have shown modest reductions in cigarette consumption and cravings compared to placebo, while others have found no significant effects. For example, a 2011 pilot study in smokers found that NAC (3,000 mg/day) reduced the number of cigarettes smoked, but larger studies are limited and results are mixed. Similar modest evidence exists for smokeless tobacco (chewing) addiction.

Meta-analyses and systematic reviews generally conclude that there is low to moderate-quality evidence for NAC’s efficacy in tobacco addiction, and more robust, large-scale studies are needed. The safety profile of NAC is favorable, which supports ongoing research, but current evidence does not support its widespread clinical use for tobacco addiction outside research settings. Thus, while the use of NAC is scientifically motivated, the strength of the evidence is limited (rated 2/5).

More about N-acetylcysteine
More about Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)

Products containing N-acetylcysteine

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.