Phase II clinical trials have begun on 2 nicotine vaccines in a novel approach to treat tobacco dependence. The vaccine works by causing the body to develop antibodies to nicotine which then bind to the nicotine that circulates in the bloodstream during smoking. The combination of the antibody and nicotine is too large to cross the blood-brain barrier depriving the smoker of enjoying the effects of smoking.

This raises the question: Can we create antibodies to other harmful stimulants such as heroin or cocaine?