Sleep Management for Nicotine Addiction
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how sleep patterns affect smoking habits, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms, focusing on Black and white individuals. Participants will either extend their sleep to 10 hours (sleep extension condition) or restrict it to 4 hours (sleep restriction condition) to observe the impact on smoking behavior. It targets daily smokers or non-smokers living in Alabama who speak English and identify as non-Hispanic Black or white. The goal is to determine if sleep and racial differences influence smoking dependence and quitting success. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research on sleep and smoking behavior.
Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but if you are taking psychiatric medications, pain medications (like opioids), or sleep medications (such as Ambien, trazodone, melatonin, or CBD products), you cannot participate in Sub-study 3.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
If you are taking psychiatric medications, pain medications like opioids, or sleep medications such as Ambien, trazodone, melatonin pills, or CBD products, you will need to stop taking them to participate in the trial.
What prior data suggests that these sleep management techniques are safe for nicotine addiction?
Research shows that sleep significantly affects nicotine addiction experiences. People often struggle with sleep when trying to quit smoking. However, better sleep might aid in maintaining a smoke-free life. Although specific information on how limiting sleep affects quitting is limited, similar studies suggest that sleep problems can hinder the quitting process.
Researchers are exploring both increasing and limiting sleep to determine their effects on smoking cessation. While detailed safety information on these sleep changes is scarce, sleep studies generally consider them safe, suggesting most people can handle them well.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about using sleep management strategies for nicotine addiction because they offer a novel approach that differs from traditional methods like nicotine replacement therapies, medications, or behavioral counseling. This trial explores two distinctive sleep interventions: a sleep extension condition allowing 10 hours in bed and a sleep restriction condition with only 4 hours in bed. By manipulating sleep patterns, researchers hope to uncover how sleep duration can impact cravings and withdrawal symptoms, potentially offering a non-pharmacological and simple lifestyle modification to aid in smoking cessation. If successful, these strategies could provide an accessible and cost-effective way to complement existing treatments, making it easier for individuals to quit smoking.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for nicotine addiction?
Research shows that sleep plays a crucial role in nicotine addiction and smoking habits. Studies have found that poor sleep increases nicotine dependence, making quitting more difficult. In this trial, participants in the sleep extension group, who will have 10 hours in bed, might experience reduced cravings and improved mood, aiding in smoking cessation. Conversely, participants in the sleep restriction group, with only 4 hours in bed, may experience increased smoking and stronger cravings. Less sleep can hinder quitting by increasing irritability and withdrawal symptoms. These findings suggest that better sleep could be a useful strategy for those trying to quit smoking.25678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Karen Cropsey, Psy.D.
Principal Investigator
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults over 18 who can read and speak English, identify as non-Hispanic African American or white, and live in Alabama. It's for daily smokers (5+ cigarettes a day for the past year) or non-smokers (less than 100 cigarettes lifetime, none in the last year).Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Participants complete self-report questionnaires and objective measures of sleep quality and timing
Intervention
Participants undergo sleep restriction (4 hours time in bed) or sleep extension (10 hours time in bed) to assess effects on craving and withdrawal
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in smoking behavior, sleep quality, and withdrawal symptoms
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Sleep extension condition
- Sleep restriction condition
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Collaborator
University of Oklahoma
Collaborator