Flavored vapes may rewire Brain's reward system
NCT ID NCT05836051
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at whether flavor chemicals in e-cigarettes can make them more addictive by changing brain function. 36 regular tobacco users (ages 21-60) had their brain activity measured while vaping, and their puffing behavior was tracked over 10 days. The goal was to understand how flavors might increase addiction risk, not to test a treatment.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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36 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2023
- Finished
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Jul 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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21 to 60 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. 21 to 60 years old 2. Regular users of inhaled tobacco products (≥5 days out of the last 28) 3. Not planning to quit tobacco use within next month 4. Able to read and write in English Exclusion Criteria: 1. Major neurological conditions or brain trauma 2. Current substance use impairing participation 3. Unstable or significant medical conditions (e.g., COPD, coronary heart disease) 4. Current use of smoking cessation medication (e.g., varenicline, patch) 5. Uncontrolled serious mental illness, suicidality, or inpatient psychiatric hospitalization in the past 6 months 6. Known allergic reaction to ENDS liquids ingredients propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin 7. Unable to use study provided ENDS ad-libitum for at least 3 hours per day 8. Pregnant or breastfeeding as indicated by self-report or urine pregnancy screen MRI-specific exclusion criteria: 1. MRI safety contraindications (e.g., metal implants, claustrophobia) 2. Major neurological conditions or brain trauma
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Penn State Health
Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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