Investigation of the Acute Effects of Nepalese Pepper Extract (Zanthoxylum Armatum DC) on Cogniti… (NCT07047105) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Investigation of the Acute Effects of Nepalese Pepper Extract (Zanthoxylum Armatum DC) on Cognitive Function, Mood and Gaming Performance in Young, Healthy, Competitive Gamers
United Kingdom57 participantsStarted 2025-06-13
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a Nepalese Pepper Extract (Zanthoxlum Armatum, ZA) supplement can improve cognitive performance and mental abilities in competitive gamers aged 16 to 34. The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. Does ZA supplement improve cognitive abilities like attention, memory, and decision-making?
2. What is the most effective dose of ZA supplement (300mg vs 150mg)?
3. How do the effects of ZA supplement compare to caffeine?
Researchers will compare four different treatments (high-dose ZA, low-dose ZA, caffeine, and placebo) to see if ZA supplement produces better cognitive performance than placebo and how it compares to caffeine\*\*.
Participants will:
* Complete a screening visit with health checks and training on computer tasks
* Attend four testing visits (7-14 days apart) where they receive different treatments
* Avoid alcohol and energy drinks for 24 hours before each visit, and caffeine from waking
* Take assigned treatment at 11:30am and complete cognitive tests at -1, 1, 3, and 5 hours in relation to dose.
* Complete mood questionnaires, sleep assessments, and gaming-specific tasks (aim training, character control)
* Wear heart rate monitors during testing
* Eat standardized meals provided during visits
* Play competitive games at home in the evening and complete performance questionnaires
Who can participate
Age range
16 Years – 34 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Aged 16 to 34 years inclusive
* Males and females
* Self-report of good health
* Usually a regular (at least once per week) player of competitive multiplayer games, (prospective participants will be asked to contact the researchers to discuss their gaming habits if uncertain that they meet the criteria).
Exclusion Criteria:
* Have any pre-existing medical condition/illness which will impact taking part in the study (i.e. participants may be allowed to progress to screening if they have a condition/illness which would not interact with the active treatments or impede performance).
* Are currently taking prescription medications NOTE: the explicit exceptions to this are contraceptive treatments for female participants, and those taken 'as needed' in the treatment of asthma and hay fever. There may be other instances of medication use which, where no interaction with the active treatments is likely, and which would not be expected to have any impact on brain function, participants may be able to progress to screening.
* Have high blood pressure (systolic over 139 mm Hg or diastolic over 89 mm Hg); or have low blood pressure (systolic below 90 mm Hg or diastolic below 60 mm Hg)
* Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) outside of the range 18.5-35 kg/m2
* Are pregnant, seeking to become pregnant or lactating
* Have learning and/or behavioural diagnoses such as dyslexia or ADHD
* Have a visual impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses (includ…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Speed of Attention
Timeframe: Prior to intervention on each testing visit for each arm, along with post dose 1 hour, post dose 3 hour and post dose 5 hour.
2
Subjective Fatigue
Timeframe: Prior to intervention on each testing visit for each arm, along with post dose 1 hour, post dose 3 hour and post dose 5 hour.