RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Feasibility of Integrating Olfactory Stimuli Into Virtual Reality Cue Exposure for Patients With Alcohol Dependence

This study is investigating a new way to help people with alcohol dependence. It explores whether combining smells (like beer or wine) with virtual reality (VR) can safely trigger alcohol cravings. Alcohol craving is a big reason why people relapse, so understanding how to create and manage it in a controlled VR setting could lead to better treatments. The study will involve a small group of people in VR scenarios, some neutral (like smelling a rose) and some alcohol-related. The main goal is to see if adding smells to VR is practical, safe, and acceptable for patients, and if it successfully causes cravings without serious side effects. This research aims to open doors for more effective support for those struggling with alcohol dependence.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Charite University, Berlin, Germany

Enrolment target

Start

07 Mar 2026

Estimated completion

31 May 2026

Alcohol Dependence

What is this study about?

This research project is looking into a new way to help people who are dependent on alcohol. It's a common problem, and a big challenge is that people often crave alcohol, which can lead to them drinking again after trying to stop. These cravings can be triggered by seeing or hearing things linked to alcohol, and even by virtual reality (VR) experiences.

Traditionally, VR has focused on what you see and hear. However, smells are a very powerful trigger for memories and cravings. This study wants to see if adding different smells linked to alcohol into a VR experience can help create a more realistic and powerful craving. The main purpose is to check if this idea is practical, safe, and comfortable for patients, and whether it actually makes them crave alcohol while in VR. It's not about treating alcohol dependence yet, but about understanding if this method could be a useful tool for future treatments.

They're calling this study OLFA-VR, which stands for "Effects of Olfactory Stimuli in Virtual Reality Cue Exposure on Craving in Alcohol Dependence." If they find that using smells in VR is a good idea and safely brings on cravings, it could pave the way for developing brand new types of therapy that help people learn to manage their cravings in a safe, controlled environment.

Key takeaways

This study explores a new way to understand alcohol cravings using Virtual Reality (VR) and smells.
It aims to see if combining alcohol-related smells with VR is safe and causes cravings in a controlled setting.
Participation involves VR sessions with both neutral and alcohol-related sights and smells.
The findings could help develop new strategies to assist people with alcohol dependence.
You won't be given any alcohol to drink as part of the study.
It's an early-stage study, not a direct treatment for alcohol dependence.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 65 years old and have a diagnosis of alcohol dependence. It's also important that you've experienced alcohol craving in the past and can understand and agree to take part in the study.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you have problems with your sense of smell, or if you depend on other substances besides alcohol and nicotine. If you're currently drunk, have been drinking alcohol in the last week, or have certain serious mental (like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) or physical health conditions, you wouldn't be able to take part. Also, if you're taking certain medications for alcohol use disorder or craving, or medicines that hugely affect your heart rate, you would likely be excluded.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Have you been diagnosed with alcohol dependence?
Do you sometimes experience cravings for alcohol?
Do you have a normal sense of smell?
Are you able to understand study information and give your consent?
Are you currently taking any strong medications for alcohol dependence or that greatly affect your heart?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll first be given all the information about it both in writing and verbally to make sure you understand. After you agree to take part, the research team will check if you meet all the requirements. This will involve answering some questions about your background and your alcohol use.

You'll then participate in a series of virtual reality (VR) sessions. The first session will be a neutral one, where you'll experience a VR scene with a neutral smell, like a rose. After that, you'll have five more VR sessions, each focused on alcohol. In these sessions, you'll see and smell different alcohol-related things, such as beer, white wine, red wine, vodka, or schnapps. These five alcohol-related sessions will be presented in an order that is chosen by chance. The researchers will be checking how you respond during these sessions to understand if the VR experience with smells safely creates cravings. The total number of visits and the full duration of your participation aren't specified but it will involve multiple VR sessions as described.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct medical benefits from taking part in this study, as it's an early-stage investigation into the feasibility of a new technique. However, your participation could help researchers understand more about alcohol cravings and eventually lead to new and better ways to help people with alcohol dependence. The main potential risk is that the VR experience, particularly with alcohol-related smells, might temporarily increase your craving for alcohol. The researchers believe this will be tolerable and won't cause serious unpreventable side effects. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Psychiatric University Hospital Charité at St. Hedwig Hospital
Verified postcode
Berlin, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'alcohol dependence'?

Alcohol dependence means your body and mind have become reliant on alcohol, and you might struggle to control your drinking or experience withdrawal symptoms if you try to stop.

What is 'virtual reality (VR)' in this study?

VR means using special headsets to put you into an artificial, computer-generated environment that looks and feels real, in this case, designed to include specific sights and smells.

What does 'cue exposure' mean?

Cue exposure is when you are deliberately shown things (like sights or smells) that usually trigger a craving, but in a safe, controlled environment, to help you learn to cope with them.

Will I have to drink alcohol in the study?

No, you will not drink alcohol. You will only be exposed to images and smells of alcohol within a virtual reality setting.

Is this a treatment for alcohol dependence?

No, this is a research study to see if a new technique is safe and practical. It's not a treatment, but it could help develop future treatments.

How to find out more

Nadja Ruckser, M.Sc.

nadja.ruckser@charite.de +49 30 838 67876 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.