SAMe for Quitting Smoking: Does It Work?
Quick Summary: Researchers looked at whether the supplement SAMe could help people quit smoking. The study found that SAMe didn't help people stop smoking and may cause stomach problems.
Does SAMe Help You Quit Smoking?
This study tested if taking SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) could help smokers quit. Unfortunately, the results showed that SAMe didn't make a difference in helping people stop smoking. People taking SAMe were just as likely to smoke as those who didn't take it.
Study Details
- Who was studied: 120 adult smokers who smoked about a pack a day for over 20 years.
- How long: The study lasted for 8 weeks, with a follow-up check at 24 weeks.
- What they took: Participants were split into three groups:
- One group took a high dose of SAMe (1600 mg daily).
- Another group took a lower dose of SAMe (800 mg daily).
- The third group took a placebo (a "dummy" pill).
- All participants also received help with quitting smoking through behavioral therapy.
What This Means For You
If you're trying to quit smoking, this study suggests that SAMe isn't likely to help. There are other proven methods, like nicotine patches, gum, or prescription medications, that are more likely to be effective. Talk to your doctor about the best way for you to quit.
Study Limitations
- A lot of people dropped out of the study, which can make the results less reliable.
- The study only lasted 8 weeks, which might not have been long enough to see if SAMe could help in the long run.
- All participants received behavioral therapy, which may have overshadowed any potential benefits of SAMe.
- The study didn't consider if people had depression, which SAMe is sometimes used to treat.
Technical Analysis Details
Key Findings
This 2012 randomized clinical trial found that S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) did not significantly improve smoking abstinence rates compared to placebo. At 8 weeks, abstinence rates were 22.5% (placebo), 17.5% (SAMe 1600 mg/day), and 20% (SAMe 800 mg/day), with no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). By 24 weeks, rates dropped to 10% (placebo), 7.5% (1600 mg), and 12.5% (800 mg). SAMe also failed to reduce tobacco withdrawal symptoms or cravings. Gastrointestinal side effects were more common at the higher dose (1600 mg/day: p = 0.04 vs. placebo).
Study Design
The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-arm trial with a behavioral smoking cessation intervention. It enrolled 120 adults (mean age 40.0±14.0 years) who smoked 19.6±8.6 cigarettes daily for 21±13.2 years. Participants were assigned to SAMe 1600 mg/day, SAMe 800 mg/day, or placebo for 8 weeks, with follow-up at 24 weeks. Biochemical verification of abstinence used exhaled-air carbon monoxide.
Dosage & Administration
SAMe was administered orally at two doses: 1600 mg/day (divided into two 800 mg tablets) or 800 mg/day (one 800 mg tablet and one placebo). The placebo group received identical-looking tablets. Supplementation lasted 8 weeks, with assessments at end-of-treatment (8 weeks) and follow-up (24 weeks).
Results & Efficacy
At 8 weeks, self-reported abstinence rates were 17.5% (1600 mg), 20% (800 mg), and 22.5% (placebo). At 24 weeks, rates were 7.5%, 12.5%, and 10%, respectively. No dose showed statistically significant efficacy (e.g., 1600 mg vs. placebo: OR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.28–1.90, p = 0.51). Withdrawal symptom scores (assessed via standardized scales) did not differ between groups. The 1600 mg dose caused more gastrointestinal adverse effects than placebo (p = 0.04).
Limitations
The trial had a high dropout rate (42.5%), potentially limiting statistical power. Duration (8 weeks) may have been insufficient to detect long-term effects. All participants received concurrent behavioral therapy, which could have masked modest SAMe benefits. The study population was not stratified by baseline depression status, despite SAMe’s known antidepressant properties, which might have influenced results.
Clinical Relevance
For supplement users, this study suggests that SAMe, even at high doses, is unlikely to aid smoking cessation. The lack of efficacy and increased GI side effects at 1600 mg/day indicate minimal therapeutic value for tobacco dependence. Clinicians should prioritize evidence-based interventions (e.g., nicotine replacement, varenicline) over SAMe for quitting smoking. However, the study does not address SAMe’s potential role in treating depression or other conditions unrelated to smoking.
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Original Study Reference
S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) for smoking abstinence: a randomized clinical trial.
Source: PubMed
Published: 2012
📄 Read Full Study (PMID: 22901308)
