A nasal spray tested for dependence on games of chance

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Monday, January 8, 2018 09:32

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Monday, January 8, 2018 09:35

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A pschitt in the nostrils, and the desire to play disappears: Finnish researchers announced on Monday the launch of a study unique in its kind to measure the effectiveness of a nasal spray against the addiction to games of chance.

The spray contains naloxone, an emergency treatment of overdose with opiates, which can act on the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure, the central role in the dependencies.

“Play responds to a behavior very impulsive (…). The need to play is immediate, it is for this reason that we are looking for a drug to effect rapid (…). The nasal spray is in a few minutes”, explained to AFP Hannu Alho, professor of toxicology at the national Institute of health and welfare in Helsinki.

Each volunteer – Mr. Ahlo account gather 130 – may use the spray for three months. Half of them will receive a spray bottle (placebo).

According to the researcher, the study is the first of its kind. Scientists had previously tried to use a substance similar to naloxone, in capsules, but the treatment was not effective, at least an hour elapsing before the drug takes effect.

The results of the study should be known in a year and a half.