Could a nasal spray curb alcohol cravings?

NCT ID NCT05988632

Disease control Sponsor: Brown University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-stage trial tests whether a single dose of insulin given as a nasal spray can reduce alcohol cravings and consumption in people with alcohol use disorder. Forty non-treatment-seeking volunteers will receive either insulin or a placebo and then be exposed to alcohol-related cues and an alcoholic drink. The study primarily checks for safety and side effects.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: intranasal insulin (Novolin R)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new, non-addictive treatment option for alcohol use disorder that reduces cravings and drinking.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small trial (40 people) testing only a single dose. It may not show any effect on drinking behavior, and the results may not apply to people seeking treatment.

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

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Phase 1/2

Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.

Participants

About 40 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Feb 2025

Expected to finish

Jan 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

21 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * ≥21 years * meet any DSM-5 criteria score for AUD * Individuals who, in the last month, have consumed at least the same amount of alcohol that will be administered in the laboratory procedure (i.e. to reach BrAC levels of 0.08g/dl, \~two drinks in one occasion) * BrAC=0.00g/dL at each visit * good health as confirmed by medical history, physical examination and lab tests * willing to adhere to the study procedures * understand informed consent and questionnaires in English at an 8th grade level * willing to have glucose monitored by finger stick during the laboratory procedures Exclusion Criteria: * • female identifying who are breastfeeding or pregnant (assessed by a urine screen) * individuals with diabetes * history of suicide attempts in the last three years * current diagnosis of other substance use disorder (other than nicotine or cannabis) * use of drugs (e.g. stimulants/opioids) at each alcohol administration session (by urine tox screen) * cannabis intoxication (by clinical assessments) * use of medications that may interact with insulin and alcohol (by Micromedex database) * hypersensitivity to insulin * any nasal disease/congestion that may interfere with intranasal drug absorption; * baseline hypoglycemia (blood glucose ≤65mg/dL) or hyperglycemia (blood glucose \>200mg/dL) (by finger stick)

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

alcohol abuse

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Alcohol use disorder

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Could a nasal spray curb alcohol cravings?

What the study statuses mean