Scientists use chili peppers and ice water to unlock headache secrets
NCT ID NCT03511846
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at how headaches work by using capsaicin (the spicy part of chili peppers) and ice water to trigger mild, temporary pain in people with and without headache disorders. Researchers measure changes in pain signals and tear production to better understand conditions like migraine and cluster headache. The goal is to find better ways to diagnose and treat these painful conditions.
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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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 371 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2018
- Expected to finish
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May 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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 years and older
- 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: * Diagnosis of one of the following: a. Diagnosis of a primary headache disorder according to the International Headache Classification, including migraine with aura, migraine without aura, chronic migraine, tension headache, cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania, short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT), short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA), and hemicrania continua; b. Diagnosed by a pain medicine physician with lumbar radiculopathy (possibly including neuropathic features, nerve impingement on MRI, or electromyography (EMG) report suggestive of lumbar radiculopathy); or c. Healthy control subject with no history of debilitating headaches or debilitating back pain / radiculopathy pain, and no headaches or back pain within the previous 3 months. * Able to provide HIPAA authorization to share prior medical records/imaging * Age 18 and older Exclusion Criteria: * The following items exclude the subject from all portions of the study: a. Known history of cardiovascular or neurovascular diseases. These diseases may include carotid stenosis of \>50%, vertebral stenosis, peripheral vascular disease, angina or myocardial infarction, stroke, or vascular malformations; b. History of brain tumors or epilepsy; c. Active pregnancy or lactation; d. Daily cigarette, tobacco or nicotine use; e. Life expectancy less than 1 year, co-existing disease or other characteristic that precludes appropriate diagnosis of headache or spine pain; f. Active drug / alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements; or g. Inability or unwillingness of subject to give informed consent (e.g., ward of the state) * The following items exclude the subject only from the capsaicin portion of the study: a. Known allergy to capsaicin or hot peppers * The following items exclude the subject only from the oxygen portion of the study: a. Pulmonary or other non-headache diseases that require the use of supplemental oxygen * The following items exclude the subject only from the cold water irrigation (ice water) portion of the study: a. Trauma, fractures, or congenital abnormalities of the soft palate
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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