Placebo power: can a saline spray beat jump nerves?

NCT ID NCT07522437

Not yet recruiting Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Auckland, New Zealand Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study will test whether an open-label placebo nasal spray (a spray with no active ingredients, clearly labeled as a placebo) can reduce stress in 260 adults about to do a canyon swing. Participants will either use the spray or receive no treatment. Researchers will measure stress levels, how long they hesitate before jumping, and whether they choose to jump again. The goal is to see if the placebo effect works even when people know it's a placebo.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: open-label placebo nasal spray (saline solution)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could show that even knowing you're taking a placebo can help reduce stress in nerve-wracking situations.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study in a very specific setting (a canyon swing). The placebo effect is unpredictable, and results may not apply to other types of stress or to everyday life.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

acute stress disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ACUTE STRESS STRESS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Canyon Swing

Queenstown, Otago, 9300, New Zealand

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