An Investigation of the Molecular and Neuropsychological Pathways Involved in Weight Gain in Women Following Vaping Cessation

Project Code: Vape Weight- 30668370

Project Description:

Smoking and obesity are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. E-cigarette/vaping introduced almost 20 years ago as an effective alternative to tobacco smoking has been also promoted as a “healthier” alternative to smoking as well as a smoking cessation method. Although, more women and adolescents are using e-cigarettes, data show that smoking cessation levels are not dropping in response to vaping use. Since weight gain is reported as a very significant factor in the decision to quit smoking or vaping (especially in women) this project aims to investigate the correlation of weight gain in vape quitting compared to quitting cigarette smoking.

We will be studying the mechanisms behind weight gain through glycaemic changes in the blood stream and gene expression and activation. We will also be exploiting mindfulness and food attention methodologies to investigate the behavioural patterns associated with nicotine and food cravings in order to understand the mechanisms linking weight gain and nicotine use cessation.

The project aims to not only offer an in depth understanding of the health implications of vape use and vape cessation but also to develop comprehensive smoking and vaping cessation methodologies combining biological, physiological and neuropsychology findings.

Anticipated Findings:

The project aims to address a gap in knowledge on the impact that the widespread use of vaping and electronic cigarettes has in women’s health and to provide important information on how this can be used effectively as a means of successful smoking cessation. A major contributor to understanding the implications of the use of electronic cigarettes in women’s health is clarifying whether the biological, physiological and psychological triggers are similar to those of cigarette use.

As currently in clinical settings vaping is used as a cessation strategy but it is often observed that instead it replaces cigarettes, we aim to develop a vape cessation protocol that will consider vape addiction, weight increase and attention to food as significant parameters of cessation success. To the best of our knowledge, similar protocols are not currently available and it is anticipated that our findings will aid in the development of new strategies to combat nicotine addiction.

Contact (and Director of Studies for this project):

Prof Loukia Tsaprouni – Loukia.Tsaprouni@bcu.ac.uk

To apply, visit the course page