Spider scare study: do these drugs beat stress?

NCT ID NCT06982183

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

Summary

This study looks at whether two FDA-approved drugs, propranolol and hydrocortisone, can prevent mental and physical performance drops after a stressful experience. Healthy adults aged 18-40 who are afraid of spiders will be briefly exposed to a tarantula, then given one of the drugs or a placebo. Researchers will measure their reaction time, mood, and thinking skills to see if the drugs help them perform better under stress.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

acute stress disorder Arachnophobia Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Sleep Research Center (SRC), Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

    RECRUITING

    Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, United States

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