Can acupuncture help you quit antidepressants?

NCT ID NCT07390981

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether intradermal acupuncture (tiny needles left under the skin for days) can help people with depression safely reduce or stop their SSRI medication. 114 adults planning to taper off SSRIs will be split into three groups: tapering alone, tapering with sham acupuncture, or tapering with real acupuncture. Researchers will track how much the dose drops and whether depression symptoms or side effects improve.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

intradermal acupuncture

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a drug-free way to help people taper off antidepressants with fewer side effects.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage trial with no phase designation, so results may not be conclusive. The sham acupuncture group helps test for placebo effects, which are strong in acupuncture studies.

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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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

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