Could carbon dioxide gas melt away belly fat?

NCT ID NCT00974415

First seen Jul 01, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether injecting carbon dioxide gas under the skin can safely reduce fat on the flanks (love handles). Healthy adults with a normal body weight will receive the gas on one side and a fake treatment on the other, with no other weight-loss methods allowed. The main goal is to see if the treated side shrinks more than the untreated side.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

carbon dioxide gas

What this could lead to

If effective, this could offer a non-surgical option for reducing small areas of fat.

What could go wrong

This is a small pilot study, so results may not apply broadly. The treatment may cause pain or side effects, and it is unclear if fat reduction will be lasting.

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.

Overweight

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Northwestern University

    Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States