Cure My Disease

Don't miss your cure!

 Log in / Sign up

Could a milk thistle extract curb gambling urges?

NCT ID NCT02337634

Completed Disease control Sponsor: University of Chicago Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 07, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether silymarin, an extract from milk thistle, can help people with gambling disorder reduce their gambling urges and behavior. Participants take either silymarin or a placebo for 8 weeks, and researchers track changes in gambling severity using a standard questionnaire. The trial includes adults aged 18 to 75 who currently have gambling disorder and have gambled within the past two weeks.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
Milk thistle extract (silymarin)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option for gambling disorder, a condition with few effective therapies.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase study (55 people), and the results may not show a clear benefit. Milk thistle is generally safe but can cause mild digestive upset.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for GAMBLING DISORDER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

pathological gambling

As listed by the trial registrant

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

GAMBLING DISORDER PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Chicago

    Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.