IF YOU WANT TO QUIT SMOKING, WE COULD HELP.

Project Quit is a research team at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) who are dedicated to improving treatment for smokers that want to quit the habit.

Contact Directions

WHAT IS PROJECT QUIT?

Many people want to quit smoking but think it’s too hard. The nicotine in cigarettes is a very powerful and addictive drug. For most people, quitting isn’t easy. Current statistics show that it can take a person 30 attempts before becoming successful in quitting and 1 in 20 smokers attempting to quit are successful without some form of help. The Project Quit team at MUSC is investigating ways on how to advance medical science in helping smokers quit.

After learning of the health consequences, most people who smoke want to quit, but a majority fail when they try to quit without help. They could have symptoms like irritability, depressed mood and trouble sleeping. Medication and/or counseling may be very helpful for smokers who want to quit.

There is no cost to you for participation, and if you qualify, you will be paid to participate. If you have questions about Project Quit’s research opportunities and how we could help you or a family member or friend, please call (843) 792-4097.

HOW IT WORKS

Regardless of your level of interest in quitting, participation in smoking research is important as it can help Project Quit learn more about tobacco use disorder. By understanding the addiction better, there could be greater gains in improving interventions to help those who want to quit. We have a comprehensive research team that focus on tobacco use disorder providing treatment and non-treatment research.

Interested smokers can contact the study team to learn about the active studies that are currently enrolling. Study personnel will ask some basic questions to see what study might be the best fit based on a person’s level of interest in quitting, age, and other factors. Safety is the team’s number one priority. If study participation is not the best option, staff will provide some other resources in the community for a smoker to access.

All services are at no cost, and we provide compensation for participation. Participants must provide informed consent. Contacting the Project Quit team does not obligate participation. Smokers under 18 must provide parental consent.

IN THE NEWS

Cancer, Cigarettes, & Cannabis

Cancer survivors who smoke cigarettes more likely to use cannabis…

Association of Cannabis Use Reduction With Improved Functional Outcomes:

This exploratory analysis sought to determine…

Prevailing narratives about cannabis

At a time when cannabis is increasingly available, reports of…

Pets & Smoking: The Deadly Secret Lurking in Your Home

New article/feature with Charleston Animal Society…

Survey measures cannabis use among cancer patients

About a quarter of cancer patients at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center reported…

Reductions in Substance Use as Outcome Targets for Treatment Development

Dr. Erin McClure and colleagues had a featured article in…

ACTIVE STUDIES

See information on our current studies below. All studies are currently conducted through the Medical University of South Carolina.

STUDY NAME:

Young Adult Tobacco/Nicotine and Cannabis Co-use

STUDY SHORT NAME:
Youth CAT

LEAD INVESTIGATOR:
Dr. Erin McClure

RECRUITING:

Current daily smokers/vapers that are 18-25 who also use cannabis

STUDY SUMMARY:

The goal of this project is to better understand the relationship between tobacco/nicotine and cannabis using behavioral economics during a tobacco/nicotine quit attempt. All participants will receive tobacco/nicotine cessation treatment (smoking and/or vaping treatment) for 12 weeks. To qualify, participants must be between the ages of 18-25 and use tobacco products (smoke cigarettes and/or vape nicotine) and use cannabis (in any form). Participants do not need to be interested in quitting cannabis/marijuana to qualify. This study is being conducted by the Medical University of South Carolina. All procedures are conducted remotely and there is no in-person visits are needed.

For more information, click this link https://redcap.link/youthCAT

STUDY NAME:

E-cigarette Cessation in Adults Who Co-use Cannabis

STUDY SHORT NAME:
VAPE CAT

LEAD INVESTIGATOR:
Dr. Erin McClure

RECRUITING:

Current e-cigarette and cannabis ages 18-40.

STUDY SUMMARY:

The purpose of this study is to better understand tobacco outcomes using a commonly prescribed stop smoking medication (varenicline) and financial incentives for adults who also use cannabis. Varenicline is not FDA approved for e-cigarette cessation, but is FDA approved for cigarette cessation. We are also interested in how cannabis/marijuana and tobacco interact during a tobacco quit attempt.

To participate, you must be between the ages of 18-40, use e-cigarettes and cannabis/marijuana, and be interested in quitting. All participants will receive investigational tobacco cessation (medication and counseling) for 12 weeks and may earn up to $1,050 for completing all study procedures. This study is being conducted at two sites: the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC, Behavioral Health Services in Pickens, SC.

To request more information, https://redcap.link/vapeCAT

STUDY NAME:

Ketamine and Motivational Enhancement Therapy for Tobacco Use Disorder

STUDY SHORT NAME:
KERMET

LEAD INVESTIGATOR:
Dr. Emily C Amador

RECRUITING:
Current cigarette smokers ages 25-64.

RECRUITMENT SUMMARY:
The purpose of the study is to examine whether an investigational medication called ketamine is able to improve treatment outcomes for tobacco use disorder when delivered in conjunction with brief motivational enhancement therapy. Participants will receive ketamine assisted motivational enhancement therapy weekly for three weeks and there will be 2 follow up visits. All visits will also consist of questionnaires and saliva samples will be taken. The overall participation will last approximately 8 weeks.

For more information, click here

STUDY NAME:
RTMS Manipulates Imbalanced Drive-reward and Executive Control Circuitry for Smoking Cessation

STUDY SHORT NAME:
N/A

LEAD INVESTIGATOR:
Dr. Xingbao Li

RECRUITING:
Current cigarette smokers ages 18-65.

STUDY SUMMARY:
The Brain Stimulation Lab is currently studying if an investigational brain stimulation device may be able to help with smoking cessation. All visits will take place at MUSC (downtown) including a screening visit with pre-treatment MRI, 3 weeks of treatment, a post-treatment MRI and one month follow up. Compensation will be provided.

To request more information about this study, please contact Morgan Dancy at (843) 876-5141 or Dr. Xingbao Li at (843) 792-5729.

WHAT IS A CLINICAL TRIAL?

A clinical trial is a research study that helps answer specific health questions. In a clinical trial, human participants help research scientists find treatments that work in people. These participants, or human volunteers, find new ways to improve health.

Click here to learn more about clinical trials and research at MUSC!