# The CB1R rs2023239 Receptor Gene Variant and Nicotine Reinforcement in Smokers > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cb1-receptor-gene-variant-nicotine-effects-smokers/ > **Published:** 2021-12-14T15:48:03-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:16:51-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore how the CB1 receptor gene variant nicotine influences reinforcing effects of nicotine in human smokers and its role in smoking behavior. --- Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of preventable death, yet only one-third of those who try can successfully quit smoking. This highlights the current lack of effective treatment options for nicotine dependence. Treatment personalization, an emerging, effective [smoking cessation](https://cedclinic.com/nicotine-e-cigarettes-smoking-cessation-success-umass-amherst/) treatment, involves customizing therapies based on some genetic features of the patients. A genetic feature recently found by scientists to influence nicotine dependence in smokers is the variation in the CB1-encoding gene. This gene encodes for the cannabinoid receptor CB1, which is widely expressed in the brain and involved in multiple signaling processes important for human’s behavior. More specifically, according to a recent study, although all smokers chose cigarettes with higher nicotine concentration more often than cigarettes with lower nicotine concentration, those having one variant of this gene appeared to have significantly weaker preference. In other words, variations in [CB1 receptor](https://cedclinic.com/aelis-farma-financial-results-2025-outlook/) expression appear to have a significant effect on nicotine reinforcement, or the desire and preference for nicotine, among smokers. This exciting and surprising finding provides impetus for further studies into the influence on smoking behaviors of the [CB1 receptor](https://cedclinic.com/aelis-farma-financial-results-2025-outlook/) in particular and the endocannabinoid signaling system that it belongs to in general, which have vast implications on innovative genetic-driven [smoking cessation](https://cedclinic.com/nicotine-e-cigarettes-smoking-cessation-success-umass-amherst/) personalized treatment. [More access here](https://cedclinic.com/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. 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[Read More](https://cedclinic.com/smoking-cessation-harm-reduction-e-cigarettes-outperform-patches/) [Nicotine E-cigarettes More Successful in Helping Smokers Quit – UMass Amherst](https://cedclinic.com/nicotine-e-cigarettes-smoking-cessation-success-umass-amherst/) Research highlighting the success of nicotine e-cigarettes in smoking cessation efforts among human smokers. [Explore Study](https://cedclinic.com/nicotine-e-cigarettes-smoking-cessation-success-umass-amherst/) [Utilizing Cannabis to Quit Smoking: Clinical Insights](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-based-therapies-smoking-cessation/) Insights into how [cannabis-based therapies](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-inhibit-keratinocyte-proliferation-non-cb1-cb2/) may assist in smoking cessation, complementing genetic research findings. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-based-therapies-smoking-cessation/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The%20CB1R%20rs2023239%20Receptor%20Gene%20Variant%20and%20Nicotine%20Reinforcement%20in%20Smokers&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcb1-receptor-gene-variant-nicotine-effects-smokers%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcb1-receptor-gene-variant-nicotine-effects-smokers%2F) [Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20CB1R%20rs2023239%20Receptor%20Gene%20Variant%20and%20Nicotine%20Reinforcement%20in%20Smokers%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcb1-receptor-gene-variant-nicotine-effects-smokers%2F) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan) [Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).