Propofol for Dream Induction in Healthy Subjects

(IDEA Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1

Sponsor: Stanford University

Must not be taking: Opioids, Clonidine, Naltrexone, others

Disqualifiers: Substance use disorder, Schizophrenia, Cardiovascular, Neurological, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 4 sessions

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore how two different doses of the drug propofol affect experiences, specifically comparing dream-like states to light sedation without dreams. Researchers seek to determine how often each method achieves its intended effect and will study brain activity during these states. They will also examine any short-term changes in well-being and sleep patterns. The trial seeks healthy adults who are comfortable undergoing a low-risk procedure and can follow study instructions. As a Phase 1 trial, the research focuses on understanding how the treatment works in people, offering participants a chance to contribute to groundbreaking research.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you stop taking certain daily medications, including opioids, naltrexone, and clonidine. If you are on these medications, you would need to discontinue them to participate.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that propofol is usually safe in medical settings, though some risks exist. Studies have found that when propofol helps people relax, some may experience low blood pressure and low oxygen levels. Specifically, these side effects occurred in about 42 out of every 1,000 people for low oxygen levels and 33 out of every 1,000 for low blood pressure. A smaller number, about 13 out of every 1,000, experienced slow heart rates.

This trial is in an early stage, focusing primarily on safety. Since propofol is already used in other medical procedures, its overall safety is well understood. However, because this study explores new uses, particularly related to dream experiences, it aims to gather more specific safety information for this context. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how propofol, a well-known anesthetic, might help us understand the nature of dreams and consciousness. Unlike traditional sedatives that simply induce sleep, this trial uses two unique protocols with propofol: one that maintains light sedation without loss of responsiveness to explore hypnagogic experiences, and another that involves loss of responsiveness to elicit dream reports upon awakening. These approaches could provide new insights into the brain's activity during different states of consciousness, potentially changing how we think about dreams and their role in our mental processes.

What evidence suggests that this trial's propofol protocols could be effective for inducing dream and non-dream experiences?

Research shows that propofol, a common anesthetic, can affect dreaming. In earlier studies, about 20% to 40% of patients reported dreaming while under propofol. Another study found that 74% of people who awoke from propofol anesthesia reported positive dreams. These results suggest that propofol can create dream-like experiences even during sedation. In this trial, participants will follow different protocols to study these effects: the No-LOR Light Sedation Protocol, designed to elicit non-dream experiential reports while responsive, and the Emergence-from-LOR Protocol, aimed at eliciting dream reports upon emergence from sedation. The current trial examines this ability to produce such experiences. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Dr. Boris D Heifets, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Stanford University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy adults interested in participating in a study involving anesthesia. Participants should be willing to undergo two different propofol sedation protocols and complete interviews, questionnaires, and sleep/dream logs. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to read, understand, and provide written, dated informed consent prior to screening. Participants will be deemed likely to comply with study protocol and communicate with study personnel about adverse events and other clinically important information

If female, a status of non-childbearing potential or use of an acceptable form of birth control

Body mass index between 17-35 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria

Current diagnosis of a Substance Use Disorder (SUD; Abuse or Dependence, as defined by DSM-V) rated 'moderate' or 'severe', or Alcohol Use Disorder rated 'moderate' or 'severe'. The following categories of SUD will NOT be excluded: nicotine dependence; alcohol or substance use disorder rated 'mild'; alcohol or substance use disorder of any severity in remission, either early (3-12 months) or sustained (>12 months) time frames

History of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders, or any history of psychotic symptoms

In the judgment of the investigator, the subject is at significant risk for suicidal behavior during the course of his/her participation in the study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo four sessions with two propofol protocols to produce distinct experiential states, with EEG monitoring and post-session interviews.

4 sessions

4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in well-being, sleep quality, and other psychological measures post-anesthesia.

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Propofol

Trial Overview The study tests two propofol sedation methods: one for inducing brief unresponsiveness with dreams upon waking, and another for light sedation without loss of responsiveness. The aim is to compare experiences, EEG patterns during the states, and any short-term effects on well-being and sleep.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: No-LOR Light Sedation Protocol Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants receive propofol titrated stepwise to light sedation without LOR, maintaining responsiveness. This protocol is designed to elicit non-dream experiential reports while responsive (e.g., simple imagery, sounds, thoughts, bodily sensations, hypnagogic-like experiences).

Group II: Emergence-from-LOR Protocol Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants receive propofol titrated to loss of responsiveness (LOR) followed by maintenance and spontaneous emergence. This protocol is designed to elicit dream reports upon emergence (i.e., reports of subjective experiences occurring during the unresponsiveness period)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Tiny Blue Dot Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

10

Recruited

660+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4970206/

Dreaming under anesthesia: is it a real possiblity ... The results of the present study suggest that dreams during anesthesia are influenced by suggestions administered immediately preceding anesthesia.

2. trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-023-07873-1

Dreaming during gastrointestinal endoscopy under propofol ... Previous studies indicated that approximately 20% to 40% of patients had a dream under propofol anesthesia [4, 5]. Moreover, dreamers induced by ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05173688

The Relationship Between Different Doses of Propofol and ... Patients receiving propofol for maintenance of general anesthesia often report higher incidences of dreaming than patients maintained with volatile anesthetics.

4. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-12695-z

A repeated awakening study exploring the capacity of ... They obtained positive reports in 90% and 74% of the awakenings from dexmedetomidine and propofol, respectively. Thus, our findings seem to ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1521689607000420

9 Dreaming during anaesthesia in adult patients They were similar in nature to the dreams after general anesthesia.5,13 Dreams that included imaginary experiences of the operation were reported in 5 cases.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11144431/

Influences of Propofol, Ciprofol and Remimazolam on ... Propofol, ciprofol and remimazolam resulted in nonstatistical difference in the incidence of dreaming during painless gastrointestinal endoscopy ...

7. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/10/1234

The Incidence of Adverse Events in Adults Undergoing ... Procedural sedation with propofol only showed a significantly higher incidence rate of hypoxia (42) and hypotension (33‰). The bradycardia rate was 13‰. Major ...

8. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pan.70031

Pharmacodynamic Safety Endpoints for Propofol ... We aimed to quantify the doses required to induce loss of consciousness and apnea in children by age and sex to contribute to tailored propofol ...