Can virtual reality and a blood pressure drug crush cigarette cravings?
NCT ID NCT03083353
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a drug called isradipine, combined with virtual reality scenes of smoking, could lower cigarette cravings. 78 daily smokers took part. The goal was to see if this approach could help people quit smoking by reducing their urge to smoke when faced with triggers.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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78 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2020
- Finished
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Jun 2023
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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: 1. 18-65 years old; 2. Willing and able to provide informed consent, attend all study visits, and comply with the protocol; 3. Daily smoker for at least one year; and 4. Currently smoke an average of at least 5 cigarettes per day. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current diagnosis of a psychotic, eating, developmental or bipolar disorder, or significant suicide risk; 2. Current treatment for smoking cessation or use of other nicotine products, including e-cigarettes; 3. Exclusion criteria related to isradipine administration: (a) known allergy or sensitivity to isradipine, (b) hypertension, (c) congestive heart failure, (d) any type of liver disease, (e) current pregnancy, (f) women of childbearing potential who are not using medically accepted forms of contraception, (g) current use of Rifampin, which decreases the availability of calcium channel blockers, or of Tagamet, which can increase hypotensive effects and inhibit hepatic metabolism of isradipine, (h) any other significant medical condition that increases risk, as determined by the study physician; 4. Significant vision problems that would prevent engagement with the 360° video environment; and 5. Past six month substance use disorder, other than nicotine use disorder, assessed by structured interview.
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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
Locations
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University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas, 78712, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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