A new vaccine may end cocaine addiction for drug users, the Daily News reported on Wednesday.
The vaccine, created by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute in California, works by using the body's natural immune system to diminish the high that cocaine causes.
Flagellin, a bacterial protein, is used to wake the immune system up and fight against the drug if it comes in contact with its presence. Previous attempts at a cocaine-fighting vaccine have been unsuccessful, but they didn't use flagellin. The new vaccine has only been tested on mice so far.
At least 47 percent of dopamine transporters in the brain need to be occupied with cocaine to feel the high, according to RT. The vaccine should ultimately bring the amount of effected receptors down to 20 percent.
"An anti-cocaine vaccination will require booster shots in humans, but we don't know yet how often these booster shots will be needed," Dr. Ronald Crystal said. "I believe that for those people who desperately want to break their addiction, a series of vaccinations will help."
