Sugar pills, no lies: could Open-Placebo ease teen depression?

NCT ID NCT04201106

Terminated Symptom relief Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 29, 2026 · Last updated Jul 30, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether placebo pills taken knowingly — called open-label placebo — can reduce depression symptoms in unmedicated teens aged 13–18 with mild to moderate depression. Participants take placebo pills for two weeks while researchers use brain scans to see if the treatment activates areas linked to mood and stress. The goal is to understand if honest placebos work and how they might affect the brain.

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 pills (sugar pills taken knowingly) with a rationale explaining the placebo effect
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a safe, side-effect-free option for teens with mild to moderate depression.
What could go wrong: This is a very small early study with only 16 participants, so results may not apply widely. The placebo effect is unpredictable, and depression is serious — teens should not stop standard care.

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.

Depression depressive disorder major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

DEPRESSION

Contacts and locations

Locations

UCSF

San Francisco, California, 94143, United States

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