Can a common supplement curb opioid and cocaine cravings?
NCT ID NCT05610072
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at how the supplement n-acetylcysteine (NAC) affects brain glutamate levels and drug cravings in 12 people who use both opioids and cocaine. Participants were given either NAC or a placebo while on a steady dose of hydromorphone, and then underwent brain scans and hypothetical drug-purchase tasks. The goal was to see if NAC could reduce cravings during opioid withdrawal by fixing brain chemistry imbalances.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
n-acetylcysteine
What this could lead to
If successful, this could point toward a treatment that reduces cravings for both opioids and cocaine by correcting brain chemistry.
What could go wrong
This is a very small, early-phase study with only 12 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The outcomes are based on hypothetical choices and brain scans, not real-world drug use.
Disclaimer
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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.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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University of Kentucky Department of Behavioral Science
Lexington, Kentucky, 40536-0086, United States
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University of Kentucky Laboratory of Human Behavioral Pharmacology
Lexington, Kentucky, 40507, United States