UCLA tests if naltrexone cancels the Fear-Busting power of a hug
NCT ID NCT04166071
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers at UCLA are studying whether naltrexone, a drug that blocks opioid receptors, can stop reminders of a social support figure from helping people overcome fear. Sixty healthy adults aged 18-35 will receive either naltrexone or a placebo, then undergo a fear extinction procedure where threatening cues are paired with images of a loved one. The goal is to see if the drug disrupts the brain's natural safety-signal mechanism, shedding light on how social bonds protect against fear.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
naltrexone
What this could lead to
If it works, this could reveal how social support helps reduce fear, potentially guiding future treatments for anxiety disorders.
What could go wrong
This is a very early, small study (60 healthy people) testing a single dose. It may not translate to real-world fear or anxiety conditions.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for FEAR are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Locations
-
UCLA
Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
-
UCLA Department of Psychology, 5514 Pritzker Hall
Los Angeles, California, 90095-1563, United States