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Are potato chips addictive? science puts them to the test

NCT ID NCT07776938

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of Kansas Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

What the study statuses mean

This study's is highlighted.

Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting This study
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Aug 20, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study investigates whether hyper-palatable foods, like potato chips, have addictive properties. Researchers will have adults who regularly eat chips rate their liking, craving, and desire for different chip versions, and measure how hard they will work to earn more. The goal is to understand what makes these foods hard to resist.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
Potato chips (regular, no-fat, and no-sodium versions) as hyper-palatable food stimuli
What this could lead to
If this trial succeeds, it could provide evidence that hyper-palatable foods have addictive-like properties, potentially informing policies or treatments for food addiction.
What could go wrong
This is a laboratory study with a specific food stimulus (potato chips), so results may not generalize to all hyper-palatable foods. The outcomes are subjective ratings and behavioral tasks, which may not fully capture real-world eating behavior.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 168 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Sep 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Jan 2031

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults 18+ years old * High dietary intake of regular potato chips (HPF stimulus in the study), identified as \>=3 times per week via a standard dietary history questionnaire * Like potato chips, the study-provided food (rating of \>6 out of 10 on visual analogue scale) and willing to consume them in the lab. Exclusion Criteria: * Currently prescribed medications for weight loss (e.g., Ozempic), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, substance use disorder, or binge eating disorder * Substance use disorder diagnosis in the past year (self-reported) or substantial consequences from substance use in the past year (score on Drug Abuse Screening Test-10 of 6 or higher) * Eating disorder diagnosis in the past year * Bariatric surgery in the past year * Dietary allergies or restrictions to gluten * Dietary allergies or restrictions to root vegetables * Currently participating in a weight management treatment program or engaging in dietary modification to induce weight loss * Trying to cut down on HPF intake * Diagnosed smell or taste dysfunction * Currently pregnant * Diagnosed cognitive impairment (self-reported)

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

Abuse liability Hyperpalatable foods

How to take part

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  1. The places running it

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  2. The official record

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    Open the record ↗

  3. A doctor treating you

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Dole Human Development Center

    Lawrence, Kansas, 66049, United States

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