Talking yourself out of cravings: brain scans reveal how Self-Talk may rewire food addiction
NCT ID NCT05101863
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether motivational interviewing—a therapy that helps people find their own reasons to change—can shift brain activity and food choices in people with food addiction. 56 participants, including those with and without obesity, underwent brain scans while making dietary decisions after talking about change. The goal was to see if self-generated 'change talk' alters the brain's reward response to food.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- motivational interviewing
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help improve talking therapies for food addiction by showing how self-generated reasons for change affect the brain.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study (56 people) that looks at brain scans, not a treatment trial. Results may not apply to everyone or lead to a direct therapy.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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
Locations
-
Liane Schmidt
Paris, Île-de-France Region, 75013, France
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