Investigation of the Acute Effects of Nepalese Pepper Extract (Zanthoxylum Armatum DC) on Cognitive Function, Mood and Gaming Performance in Young, Healthy, Competitive Gamers

Launched by NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY · Jun 23, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring whether a natural supplement made from Nepalese Pepper Extract (called Zanthoxylum Armatum or ZA) can help improve thinking skills, mood, and gaming performance in young, healthy gamers aged 16 to 34. Researchers want to find out if taking this supplement can boost attention, memory, and decision-making during competitive gaming, how much of the supplement works best (comparing a higher dose to a lower dose), and how it stacks up against caffeine, a common stimulant.

If you join the study, you’ll visit the research center four times over several weeks. During these visits, you’ll take different treatments—either a high or low dose of the pepper extract, caffeine, or a placebo (a non-active pill)—and complete tests that measure your thinking skills, mood, and gaming abilities at several points throughout the day. You’ll also wear a heart rate monitor, eat provided meals, and play competitive games at home in the evenings while reporting your performance. To be eligible, you need to be between 16 and 34 years old, in good health, and regularly play competitive multiplayer games at least once a week. Some health conditions, medications, or habits like smoking or high caffeine use might exclude you from participating. Overall, this study aims to see if this natural supplement could be a helpful tool for gamers looking to improve their mental sharpness and game performance.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• 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 (including colour-blindness)
• • Smoke tobacco or vape nicotine or use nicotine replacement products
• • Excessive caffeine intake (\> 500 mg per day). If participants consume energy drinks they will be asked to refrain from this for 24 hour prior to attending testing.
• • Have relevant food intolerances/sensitivities, including caffeine sensitivity.
• • Have taken antibiotics within the past 4 weeks
• • Have taken dietary supplements e.g. Vitamins, omega 3 fish oils etc. in the last 4 weeks (Note: participation is possible following a 4-week supplement washout prior to participating and for the duration of the study on the proviso that the supplements they are taken are out of choice and not medically prescribed or advised)
• • Have any health condition that would prevent fulfilment of the study requirements (this includes non-diagnosed conditions for which no medication may be taken)
• • Are unable to complete all of the study assessments
• • Are currently participating in other clinical or nutrition intervention studies, or have done so in the past 4 weeks
• • Has been diagnosed with/ undergoing treatment for alcohol or drug abuse in the last 12 months
• • Have been diagnosed with/ undergoing treatment for a psychiatric disorder in the last 12 months
• • Suffers from frequent migraines that require medication (more than or equal to 1 per month)
• • Sleep disorders or are taking sleep aid medication
• • Any known active infections
• • Are non-compliant with regards treatment consumption