Brain zapping may help break social media addiction

NCT ID NCT07410104

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS can reduce the urge to use social media and lower addiction severity. Sixty university students with moderate to severe social media addiction will be randomly assigned to receive real tDCS, a sham (fake) stimulation, or no stimulation over 10 sessions. Researchers will measure changes in craving and addiction scores right after treatment and again five weeks later.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a non-drug treatment for social media addiction by reducing cravings and problematic use.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage trial with only 60 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The sham group helps rule out placebo, but the effect may be small or temporary.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Internet Addiction Disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

CRAVING CRAVING TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA INTERNET ADDICTION SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION

Contacts and locations

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Study contacts

Contact

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

Locations

Egas Moniz School of Health and Science
RECRUITING

Almada, Portugal

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

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