"Cytisine: The Plant-Based Pill Proven to Double Quit Rates for Smokers"
Cytisine, a plant-based compound, has been found to be more than twice as effective as traditional methods in helping people quit smoking. First synthesized in Bulgaria in 1964 and sold under various brand names in different countries, cytisine is taken as a pill for up to two months. A meta-analysis published in the journal Addiction in October 2023 supports its efficacy and safety, with no serious side effects reported. Despite its potential, cytisine has not been approved in the US due to financial hurdles related to patenting naturally occurring compounds. Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide, and cytisine could be a cost-effective solution, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.