Scientists in Brazil have introduced “Calixcoca,” an experimental vaccine designed to combat addiction to cocaine and its derivative, crack. This innovative treatment, which has displayed promising outcomes in animal trials, functions by stimulating the immune system to generate antibodies that attach to cocaine molecules in the bloodstream. This process obstructs these molecules from entering the brain’s reward center, thus preventing the pleasurable effects of the drugs. The vaccine’s success in protecting rat fetuses from cocaine suggests potential benefits for pregnant addicts. While Calixcoca could revolutionize addiction treatment, it is not a universal solution and is intended for recovering addicts. Clinical trials will determine its target group, with the goal of addressing the concerning statistic that one in four regular cocaine users becomes addicted, and only one in four addicts achieves recovery after five years of treatment.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-unveil-world-first-experimental-cocaine-addiction-vaccine