Honest placebos: a new way to fight the opioid crisis?

NCT ID NCT06350786

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Cosima Locher Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether giving people with chronic pain a placebo pill—told openly that it's a placebo—can help them safely reduce their opioid painkiller use. 86 participants will either receive the placebo alongside a mind-body program or just electronic monitoring for 6 weeks. The goal is to lower daily opioid doses and ease withdrawal symptoms.

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
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a safe, non-drug way to help people cut down on opioid painkillers without increasing pain or withdrawal.
What could go wrong: This is a small early-stage trial with only 86 people. The placebo effect is unpredictable, and results may not apply to everyone. There is also a risk that pain or withdrawal symptoms could worsen.

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.

Chronic Pain chronic pain syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

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

CHRONIC PAIN SUBACUTE PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

University Hospital Zurich, Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine
RECRUITING

Zurich, Canton of Zurich, 8006, Switzerland

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