Ear nerve zaps could curb drug cravings in small trial
NCT ID NCT07689981
First seen Jul 08, 2026 · Last updated Jul 09, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a gentle electrical stimulation of a nerve in the ear (called taVNS) can help people who are dependent on the drug tiletamine. Thirty participants will receive either real or sham stimulation over five days. Researchers will measure changes in cravings, mood, stress, and brain activity to see if the treatment works and how it might help.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-drug treatment for substance use disorders, helping reduce cravings and improve mood.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early trial with only 30 people. The effect may be small or no different from sham stimulation, and results may not apply to other substances.
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
-
About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Jul 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Jan 2028
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
-
18 to 60 years
- 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: * Age 18-60 years ≥6 years of education\[7.1\] DSM-5 diagnosis of substance use disorder related to tiletamine Tiletamine use ≥6 months and ≥1 time/week Ability to provide informed consent Willingness to complete follow-up assessments Exclusion Criteria: * Severe cognitive impairment History of epilepsy, brain injury, neurological disease or serious psychiatric disease Use of cognition-enhancing medications within 6 months Other psychoactive substance abuse within past 5 years (except nicotine) Metal implants in the head or severe skin sensitivity
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Drug craving 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.
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.
-
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
-
Shanghai Mental Health Center
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200030, China
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Ear stimulation may ease depression in addiction treatment
- Training police to refer, not arrest, could curb Drug-Related harm
- Can a 5-Session writing exercise ease PTSD in addiction recovery?
- Could cash incentives keep mothers in addiction treatment and save lives?
- Brain training may restore joy in opioid recovery
- Can breathing exercises help veterans heal from trauma and addiction?