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

NCT07047105 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 53BS2
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a Nepalese Pepper Extract (Zanthoxlum Armatum, ZA) supplement can improve cognitive performance and mental abilities in competitive gamers aged 16 to 34. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Complete a screening visit with health checks and training on computer tasks
• Attend four testing visits (7-14 days apart) where they receive different treatments
• Avoid alcohol and energy drinks for 24 hours before each visit, and caffeine from waking
• Take assigned treatment at 11:30am and complete cognitive tests at -1, 1, 3, and 5 hours in relation to dose.
• Complete mood questionnaires, sleep assessments, and gaming-specific tasks (aim training, character control)
• Wear heart rate monitors during testing
• Eat standardized meals provided during visits
• Play competitive games at home in the evening and complete performance questionnaires

Conditions

Cognition; Mood; Gaming Performance; Fatigue

Keywords

Cognition; Mood; Gaming; Performance; Esports; Nepalese Pepper; Timut Pepper; Zanthoxylum Armatum; Fatigue

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Speed of Attention

  Score calculated through performance on Rapid Visual Information Processing, Simple Reaction Time and Choice Reaction Time

  Prior to intervention on each testing visit for each arm, along with post dose 1 hour, post dose 3 hour and post dose 5 hour.

• Subjective Fatigue

  Following completion of Cognitive Demand Battery subjective fatigue will be assessed through self assessment of fatigue levels.

  Prior to intervention on each testing visit for each arm, along with post dose 1 hour, post dose 3 hour and post dose 5 hour.

Secondary Outcomes (15)

• Accuracy of Attention

  Prior to intervention on each testing visit for each arm, along with post dose 1 hour, post dose 3 hour and post dose 5 hour.

• Speed of Performance

  Prior to intervention on each testing visit for each arm, along with post dose 1 hour, post dose 3 hour and post dose 5 hour.

• Accuracy of Performance

  Prior to intervention on each testing visit for each arm, along with post dose 1 hour, post dose 3 hour and post dose 5 hour.

• Working memory

  Prior to intervention on each testing visit for each arm, along with post dose 1 hour, post dose 3 hour and post dose 5 hour.

• Speed of memory

  Prior to intervention on each testing visit for each arm, along with post dose 1 hour, post dose 3 hour and post dose 5 hour.

Study Arms (4)

ZA 150mg

EXPERIMENTAL

150mg dosage of Nepalese Pepper (Zanthoxylum Armatum) extract in capsule form. Consumed during testing visit to measure acute effects over day of consumption.

Dietary Supplement: Nepalese Pepper (Zanthoxylum Armatum) extract 150mg

ZA 300mg

EXPERIMENTAL

300mg dosage of Nepalese Pepper (Zanthoxylum Armatum) extract in capsule form. Consumed during testing visit to measure acute effects over day of consumption.

Dietary Supplement: Nepalese Pepper (Zanthoxylum Armatum) extract 300mg

Caffeine

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

75mg dose of caffeine (Caffeine anhydrous Pulver) in capsule form. Consumed during testing visit to measure acute effects over day of consumption.

Dietary Supplement: Caffeine 75mg

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Inert placebo, Microcristalline Cellulose MCC, delivered in capsule in form.

Dietary Supplement: Placebo

Interventions

Nepalese Pepper (Zanthoxylum Armatum) extract 150mg DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

The intervention is a powdered form of Zanthoxylum Armatum (ZA) extract delivered in capsule form. The dosage is 150mg.

Also known as: Timut Pepper

ZA 150mg

Nepalese Pepper (Zanthoxylum Armatum) extract 300mg DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

The intervention is a powdered form of Zanthoxylum Armatum (ZA) extract delivered in capsule form. The dosage is 300mg.

ZA 300mg

Placebo DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Microcristalline Cellulose MCC

Placebo

Caffeine 75mg DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Caffeine anhydrous Pulver, 75mg

Caffeine

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 34 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 16 to 34 years inclusive
• Males and females
• Self-report of good health
• Usually a regular (at least once per week) player of competitive multiplayer games, (prospective participants will be asked to contact the researchers to discuss their gaming habits if uncertain that they meet the criteria).

You may not qualify if:

• Have any pre-existing medical condition/illness which will impact taking part in the study (i.e. participants may be allowed to progress to screening if they have a condition/illness which would not interact with the active treatments or impede performance).
• Are currently taking prescription medications NOTE: the explicit exceptions to this are contraceptive treatments for female participants, and those taken 'as needed' in the treatment of asthma and hay fever. There may be other instances of medication use which, where no interaction with the active treatments is likely, and which would not be expected to have any impact on brain function, participants may be able to progress to screening.
• Have high blood pressure (systolic over 139 mm Hg or diastolic over 89 mm Hg); or have low blood pressure (systolic below 90 mm Hg or diastolic below 60 mm Hg)
• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) outside of the range 18.5-35 kg/m2
• Are pregnant, seeking to become pregnant or lactating
• Have learning and/or behavioural diagnoses such as dyslexia or ADHD
• Have a visual impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses (including colour-blindness)
• Smoke tobacco or vape nicotine or use nicotine replacement products
• Excessive caffeine intake (\> 500 mg per day). If participants consume energy drinks they will be asked to refrain from this for 24 hour prior to attending testing.
• Have relevant food intolerances/sensitivities, including caffeine sensitivity.
• Have taken antibiotics within the past 4 weeks
• Have taken dietary supplements e.g. Vitamins, omega 3 fish oils etc. in the last 4 weeks (Note: participation is possible following a 4-week supplement washout prior to participating and for the duration of the study on the proviso that the supplements they are taken are out of choice and not medically prescribed or advised)
• Have any health condition that would prevent fulfilment of the study requirements (this includes non-diagnosed conditions for which no medication may be taken)
• Are unable to complete all of the study assessments
• Are currently participating in other clinical or nutrition intervention studies, or have done so in the past 4 weeks

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Northumbria University: lead
• Mibelle Group Biochemistry: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Northumbria University - Brain Performance and Nutrition Research Centre

Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fatigue

Interventions

Caffeine

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Xanthines; Alkaloids; Heterocyclic Compounds; Purinones; Purines; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds, Fused-Ring

Central Study Contacts

Philippa A Jackson, PhD

CONTACT

01912274468; philippa.jackson@northumbria.ac.uk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Treatment will be blinded according to the randomisation schedule by a researcher who has no other involvement in the study.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-arm crossover design.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 4, 2025
• First Posted: July 2, 2025
• Study Start: June 13, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion: May 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 2, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GB (1)