Placebo power: brain scans reveal how fake cream eases pain

NCT ID NCT04653064

First seen Dec 17, 2025 · Last updated Apr 25, 2026 · Updated 19 times

Summary

This study uses brain scans to understand how a placebo (fake) cream affects pain. 150 adults will receive mild heat pulses on different body spots, with and without the cream. Researchers want to see if the cream changes how the brain processes pain, especially before and during the pain. This is not a treatment study, but aims to learn more about the brain's pain system.

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Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Dartmouth College

    RECRUITING

    Hanover, New Hampshire, 03755, United States

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

Conditions

Explore the condition pages connected to this study.