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

To be part of this study, you need to be a healthy man or woman between 16 and 34 years old. A key requirement is that you regularly play competitive multiplayer games, at least once a week. If you're not sure if your gaming habits fit, it's best to chat with the research team.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have any serious ongoing health conditions or if you're taking most prescription medications (birth control, asthma, and hay fever medicines are generally okay). You also can't take part if you have very high or very low blood pressure, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have certain learning difficulties like dyslexia or ADHD, or have vision problems that glasses don't fully correct.

Other things that would prevent you from joining include smoking or vaping, using nicotine products, drinking too much caffeine (more than 5 cups of coffee a day), having food intolerances to study ingredients, or if you've taken antibiotics or certain dietary supplements (like vitamins or fish oils) in the last month. The researchers want to make sure everyone in the study is healthy and that other factors won't affect the results.

If you decide to take part in this study, here's what you can expect:

**Screening Visit:** First, you'll have an initial visit to check your health and make sure you're suitable for the study. You'll also practice some computer tasks that you'll do during the main testing days.

**Testing Visits:** After the screening, you'll attend four separate testing visits. These will be spaced out, usually 7 to 14 days apart. At each visit, you'll receive one of four treatments: a high dose of Nepalese Pepper extract, a low dose of the extract, caffeine, or a dummy pill (placebo).

**Before Each Visit:** It's important to avoid alcohol and energy drinks for 24 hours before each testing visit. You'll also need to avoid all caffeine from the moment you wake up on the day of your visit.

**During Each Visit:** You'll take the assigned treatment at 11:30 AM. You'll then complete various tests at set times (-1 hour, 1 hour, 3 hours, and 5 hours relative to when you took the pill). These tests include: * **Cognitive tasks:** Measuring your attention, memory, and decision-making skills. * **Mood questionnaires:** To understand how you're feeling. * **Sleep assessments:** To check your sleep patterns. * **Gaming tasks:** You'll do specific computer tasks to measure your aim and character control. * **Heart rate monitoring:** You'll wear a device to track your heart rate. * **Standardised meals:** Meals will be provided for you during the visits.

**After Each Visit:** In the evening after each testing day, you'll play competitive games at home and fill out questionnaires about how you performed.

**Total Duration:** The total time you'll be involved in the study will depend on how quickly your testing visits are scheduled, but each visit lasts a full day and they are spread out over several weeks.