A wild green oat extract marketed by IFF as Neuravena may be helpful in supporting mental wellness, sleep, and perceived well-being during smoking reduction or cessation, according to a new human clinical study published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
 
“Novel interventions supporting subjects’ well-being and quality of life during smoking reduction or cessation experience are necessary,” the authors wrote. “Avena sativa (oats) is considered as a nervine herb, supporting the nervous system […] Neuravena has demonstrated an ability to inhibit monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B). Inhibition of this enzyme increases the dopaminergic availability, and therefore it is hypothesized that it may be beneficial during smoking reduction or cessation by alleviating nicotine withdrawal symptoms and promoting pleasure and a sense of well-being.”
 
In the study, 145 participants were randomized to either receive a placebo or 900 mg daily of Neuravena over an eight-week period. Eligible participants were healthy subjects between 18 and 65 years of age who smoked 10 or more cigarettes per day for at least the past six months, who were willing to reduce or quit daily cigarettes as assessed by the Richmond Test, who had exhaled carbon monoxide levels of 10 ppm or more, and who had a negative drug test. Participants were also stratified based on the number of cigarettes smoked per day.
 
The 12-week study included an eight-week intervention period and a four-week follow-up period. There was a baseline visit, a visit at four weeks, a visit at eight weeks, and a visit at 12 weeks.
 
At visits 2-4, participants were instructed to consume a light lunch two hours before the visit, and were requested to abstain from smoking once they entered the clinic. They were subject to a battery of tests which covered mental well-being, cognitive performance, perceived quality of life, stress, depression, and nicotine withdrawal severity. The researchers also assessed craving intensity before and after a provocation procedure, which involved exposing the participants to smoking-related cues such as visual stimuli and the presence of tobacco as a stimulus.
 
Based on all of these tests, the authors concluded that supplementation with the green oat extract was associated with significant improvements to perceived quality of life, stress, sleep quality parameters, and success rates in reducing cigarettes per day by more than 20%. Improvements from baseline in quality of life measures in the treatment group persisted at four weeks after the intervention ended.
 
On the other hand, the supplement didn’t appear to have an impact on physical and physiological symptoms, general functioning, withdrawal or dependence, anxiety,, depression, urge to smoke, or related biomarkers.
 
During the follow-up, the treatment group reported significantly greater improvements in overall quality of life, social relationship parameters, and concentration/focus, which may be attributable to the greater success rates this group had in cessation and reduction.
 
“The consumption of [green oat extract] has demonstrated the ability to reduce stress levels among individuals trying to reduce or cease smoking,” the authors wrote. “Consequently, this intervention holds the potential to foster a more constructive and positive experience.”