Could good bacteria curb alcohol cravings?
NCT ID NCT07510113
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Sep 16, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tests whether taking a probiotic supplement for four weeks can reduce alcohol cravings and improve thinking, mood, and gut health in people with alcohol use disorder. 38 participants are randomly assigned to receive either the probiotic or a placebo, and neither they nor the researchers know who gets what. The goal is to see if probiotics could be a helpful addition to current treatments.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- probiotic supplement
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, low-cost supplement to help reduce alcohol cravings and support mental health in people with alcohol use disorder.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot trial with only 38 participants, so results may not be reliable or apply to everyone. It is too early to know if probiotics truly help.
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
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
38 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Dec 2025
- Finished
-
May 2026
- 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
-
18 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 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: * A self-reported history of heavy drinking * At least one heavy drinking episode (≥8 units) in the last 28 days Exclusion Criteria: * Participants being under 18 years of age * Supplementation of probiotics or prebiotics within the past 4 weeks * Antibiotic use within the past 4 weeks * Major psychiatric conditions diagnosed e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia * Current pregnancy or breastfeeding * Having had a heavy drinking episode (≥8 units) in the last 12 hours
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Alcohol use disorder are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
Loughborough University
Loughborough, United Kingdom
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can Brain-Training games rewire the mind to fight alcohol addiction?
- Can a Stress-Hormone blocker take the edge off alcohol?
- Can MDMA plus therapy help veterans fight both PTSD and alcohol addiction?
- Brain scans probe opioid receptor imbalance in alcohol use disorder
- Spinal taps open a window on alcohol use disorder
- Can a natural alcohol byproduct calm withdrawal? hospital trial tests IV acetate