Recruiting

Testing a nasal spray to reduce anxiety from public speaking

Plain-English translation of NCT06809179 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated February 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a medication called Fasedienol, delivered as a nasal spray, to see if it can quickly calm anxiety symptoms in people with social anxiety disorder. Researchers want to know if one or two doses of this medication — given shortly before a public speaking task — can reduce anxiety better than a placebo (inactive spray). The study will also track how safe and well-tolerated the medication is.

Social anxiety disorder can be severely limiting, and people with this condition often need fast-acting relief in moments of acute anxiety — like before giving a speech. This medication is being studied because it's designed to work quickly through the nasal spray route, potentially offering an option for people who need immediate symptom relief.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 18 and 65 years old
you have been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and your anxiety symptoms are moderate to severe
you have normal sense of smell
you are willing to use effective birth control throughout the study if you can become pregnant
you have not had two or more failed medication treatments for social anxiety in the past

You likely don't qualify if…

you have a history of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other serious mental health conditions like autism spectrum disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder
you have had significant nasal surgery, trauma, or a perforated nasal septum that could affect how a nasal spray works
you are currently taking psychiatric medications or anxiety-reducing treatments — you'll need to stop these 30 days before the study begins
you have struggled with moderate to severe alcohol use or used illicit drugs in the past year
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past four weeks

What participation looks like

You will visit a clinical research center and be randomly assigned to receive either one dose of the medication followed by placebo, two doses of the medication, or two doses of placebo — all given as nasal sprays 20 minutes before a public speaking task in the lab. After this main study phase, if you choose, you can continue in an optional extension phase where you can use the medication as needed (up to 6 times daily) for up to 12 months, with ongoing safety monitoring.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 5, 2026 · Not medical advice

Testing a nasal spray to reduce anxiety from public speaking

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations