Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting about 2% of adults. It involves recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food with a feeling of loss of control, followed by distress but no compensatory behaviors like purging. Current treatments include therapy and liraglutide, a GLP-1 drug approved by the FDA in 2015.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing newer GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide, which may reduce binge frequency more effectively than liraglutide. Researchers are also studying brain stimulation methods, combinations of medication and therapy, and drugs targeting specific neurotransmitter systems involved in reward and impulse control.
GLP-1 receptor agonists
Drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide, already approved for diabetes and weight management, are being tested for binge eating disorder. Early results suggest they may reduce binge episodes more than older options.
Brain stimulation
Transcranial magnetic stimulation and other brain stimulation techniques are being studied to see if they can reduce the urge to binge. These approaches target brain regions involved in impulse control and reward.
Combination approaches
Studies are testing whether pairing medication with cognitive behavioral therapy or other structured therapies works better than either alone. The goal is to address both the biological and behavioral sides of binge eating.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on how often you binge eat per week, body mass index, whether you've tried other treatments, and any history of other eating disorders or medical conditions.
What types of trials are currently open
- Medication trials — Testing drugs like GLP-1 agonists, antidepressants, or other medications to reduce binge frequency and severity.
- Brain stimulation trials — Studies using transcranial magnetic stimulation or similar methods to alter brain activity in areas linked to eating behavior.
- Therapy trials — Testing different forms of psychotherapy, often cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy, to help people manage binge urges.
- Combination trials — Studies comparing medication alone versus medication plus therapy to see which approach works best.
- Digital health trials — Testing smartphone apps, online therapy platforms, or text-based coaching to support people between clinical visits.
Recently added Binge Eating Disorder trials
E-diary vs Paper Diary in Binge Eating Disorder
The purpose of this study is to examine how binge eating episodes are recorded using two different diary formats: a paper diary and an electronic diary and to see whether both formats collect information in the same way and to understand which of the two formats is easier to use
HALO-TRIAL: High, Medium And LOw Intensity Psychotherapy for Binge Eating Disorder
The HALO trial is designed as a four-armed, assessor-blinded, fidelity-monitored randomized clinical trial. The goal of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the effectiveness of four different psychotherapy programs and to determine which one is most effective in reducing the number of binge-eating episodes in people with the eating disorder Binge Eating Disorder (BED), by directly comparing three intensities of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced against a manualized treatment as usual. Participants will be asked to complete a 21-weeks randomized intervention and participate in follow up assesments.
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