Plain-English translation of NCT06577636 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Read our PTSD research guide →Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.
This trial is testing whether a specially designed anesthesia procedure that encourages dreaming can help reduce PTSD symptoms. Researchers believe that guided dreaming during anesthesia may help your brain process traumatic memories and regulate difficult emotions the way natural dreams do, potentially reducing nightmares and other PTSD symptoms. The study will compare this dreaming-focused approach to a lighter sedation experience to see which works better.
PTSD affects millions of people and can make everyday life very difficult. Current treatments help many people, but researchers are looking for new options because some people don't respond well to existing therapies. Early evidence suggests that therapeutic dreaming might help the brain heal from trauma by improving how it processes memories and manages emotions.
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Over about 3 months, you would have two screening visits (one online, one in person at Stanford Hospital), then receive the anesthesia procedure. You'll track your sleep and dreams daily for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after the procedure. In the Phase II study, half of participants will receive anesthesia designed to trigger dreams, while the other half receives a lighter sedation—neither group will know which they're getting. Researchers will measure your PTSD symptoms before and after using questionnaires and clinical interviews.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 2, 2026 · Not medical advice
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