Cooling gel could flip the Body's Fat-Burning switch
NCT ID NCT07030725
First seen Aug 06, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early trial tests whether applying a menthol gel to the chest can activate brown adipose tissue—the body's heat-generating fat—and increase energy expenditure. Twelve healthy, physically active adults will receive menthol gel, a sham gel, or no gel on separate visits. Researchers will measure resting energy expenditure, skin temperature near the collarbone, and shivering to see if menthol mimics cold exposure and boosts metabolism.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Menthol gel (5% L-menthol) applied to the chest
- What this could lead to
- If menthol activates brown fat, it could point toward a simple, drug-free way to boost metabolism and aid weight management.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small trial (12 people) measuring short-term effects, so results may not apply broadly. Menthol may cause skin irritation or fail to activate brown fat as hoped.
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
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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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12 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2025
- Finished
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Jun 2025
- 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 40 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: * Fluency in English * Participate in 150 minutes or more of at least moderate intensity exercise per week during the previous year. Assessment of moderate intensity physical activity will be determined via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (i.e., IPAQ) (described in detail in Section 7.0). This questionnaire defines moderate intensity exercise as "activities that take moderate physical effort and make you breathe somewhat harder than normal". * Body fat ≤ 30% as determined by DEXA scan * Be cleared for physical activity according to the 2020 Physical Activity Readiness Questionnnaire (PAR-Q+). Exclusion Criteria: * Any autonomic cardiovascular, metabolic, neurologic, endocrine, or respiratory disease, that, in the opinion of the investigator, would exclude them from participation. * Previously diagnosed liver and/or kidney dysfunction, including, but not limited to, acute and/or chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver disease. * Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. * Current use of tobacco or electronic cigarette, or regular (i.e., more than twice a week) use within the last 1 year. * History of peripheral cold injury, skin disorder (eczema, psoriasis), or excessive tattooing. * Known chronic (i.e., cancer, surgery) or acute conditions (i.e., diarrhea, constipation) of the rectum. * Menthol allergy (described in detail in Section 7.0 and 9.0). Menthol can cause skin irritation when applied topically, especially for people with sensitive skin or allergies. For this reason, recruited participants will be screened for a menthol allergy during the informed consent/screening visit. We will apply a small quantity of the cream (\~2ml) to an isolated body area to limit skin exposure. In the case a rash develops during the application of the cream, research staff will irrigate the area to remove the substance and limit further exposure. A 24-hour follow-up phone call initiated by research staff will be implemented to follow-up on all adverse reactions. Detectable BAT activation during a localized cold stress test (i.e., face cooling test) (procedure described in detail in Section 7.0). * Using medications with direct effects on the cardiovascular system including, but not limited to: * Anticoagulants. * Antiplatelet agents. * ACE Inhibitors. * Angiotensin II receptor blockers. * Angiotensin-receptor neprilysin inhibitors. * Beta blockers. * Calcium, potassium, or sodium channel blockers. * Cholesterol lowering medications. * Digitalis preparations. * Diuretics. * Vasodilators. * Anticholinergics.
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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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Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana, 47405, United States