Can acupuncture stop the gag? new study investigates

NCT ID NCT07664826

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether acupuncture at specific points on the chin, wrist, and foot can reduce the gag reflex in 30 healthy volunteers. Participants will receive acupuncture at different points in random order, and researchers will measure how far a saliva injector can be inserted before gagging starts. A second part will test if numbing cream blocks the effect.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Acupuncture (needling at acupoints CV24, PC6, and K3)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a non-drug way to help people with a strong gag reflex during dental or medical procedures.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early study in healthy volunteers, not patients. The effect may not apply to real-world medical settings or last long.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • University Medicine of Greifswald

    RECRUITING

    Greifswald, 17475, Germany

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••