Could sedatives help smokers quit? early study tests the idea

NCT ID NCT05505630

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This small, early-phase study tested whether a single dose of sedatives like ketamine, midazolam, or dexmedetomidine could reduce cigarette cravings and smoking in 20 daily smokers. Participants received one of these drugs or a placebo (saline) and reported their cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and how many cigarettes they smoked. The goal was to understand how these drugs affect smoking behavior, not to find a treatment yet.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Ketamine, Midazolam, Dexmedetomidine, Saline
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward new ways to help people quit smoking by targeting brain pathways involved in craving.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-phase study with only 20 participants. Results may not apply to all smokers, and the drugs have side effects like sedation and dizziness.

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.

nicotine dependence Smoking Tobacco Smoking

As listed by the trial registrant

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

TOBACCO SMOKING

Contacts and locations

Locations

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States

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