My experiences with ecopipam (or placebo), day 5: pretty sure I'm in placebo group

My experiences with ecopipam (or placebo), day 5: pretty sure I'm in placebo group For those that don't know: ecopipam is currently the only drug going through FDA trials for stuttering. It's a dopamine antagonist (similar to antipsychotics) ​ Short conclusion: I was tired the first few days, but my stutter didn't change. Now for a more in-depth breakdown of what happened. Even if I'm in placebo group, I know some of you might be interested. I broke everything down into bold headers for anyone that wants to scroll to relevant sections. **The process from day one of meeting with researchers to getting my meds** I just moved close to one of the sites that does the research ([https://speakfreely.researchstudytrial.com/](https://speakfreely.researchstudytrial.com/)) and filled out an application to partake. I was contacted by one of the researchers and set up an appointment for 2 weeks from that date. At the appointment, I answered a bunch of basic medical questions. I filled out a questionnaire about depression (a side effect of the drug is depression) and I got my bloodwork. Then they had me read from a paper, while I video chatted with them from my phone in a room next door. Then someone asked me bland ass questions to start a conversation. I deliberately chose words I stuttered on because I wanted to be selected for the study (kind of unethical, yes, but I didn't fake the stutter. Just didn't use word substitution) They told me not to use any of my tricks and tips. So I just read it straight out and they rated it as severe (even though in conversation most people don't know I stutter because of my tricks) Then, I had to wait another 2 weeks to get approved by the pharmaceutical company. After those 2 weeks were up, I went back and they took my blood again and did another reading test + conversation. Then I had to wait around for 2 hours for the pharmaceutical company to give the go-ahead for me to get the medication. The meds are all in this cool little folding cardboard, where each day of medication is individually sealed and you have to bring back the box showing you opened all of them and took them. ​ **How are these meds affecting me?** Short answer, they're not right now. This is a phase III trial some people are getting a placebo. At first, I was pretty angry about this, but I did get financial compensation ($105 each visit) and at the end of the study I would be in a position to ask for the actual medication from the pharmaceutical company seeing as they have all my info. Now, I'm also hoping that I am in the placebo group because if I'm not, then this medication doesn't work on me. Which would suck. Now it is possible that it takes more time. I'm going to give it at least 1 month because according to the official research page on [clinicaltrials.gov](https://clinicaltrials.gov), "At the Baseline visit, eligible subjects will be randomized ... for a 12-week Treatment Period consisting of a 4-week Titration Phase followed by an 8-week Maintenance Phase." So I am still potentially in the titration phase. I did feel excessively tired my first few days, but that may have had to do more with personal life stuff than the meds. But I also had not felt that tired in a very long time. As this drug is an antipsychotic, the main effect of all antipsychotics IS sedation. ​ **About me?** This is if anyone cares haha. Not too important, but I know we are all different so my situation might not apply to you. But I do find that my story is pretty consistent with most people here. I started stuttering when I was around 7. It got worst when I hit my teenage years and got a bit better when I turned 18. Then it plateau'd. I rate myself as a 6/10 stutterer, but I have some tricks that I find help me a lot (going slow and taking my time, trying not to think about what I'm going to say, keeping the vibration on my throat while jumping from word to word, and just regular word substitution) I am currently in my 3rd year of medical school (1.5 years to go!). I still stress a lot about introducing myself or making phone calls especially. Even though a lot of people don't know I stutter, it consumes every waking moment of my life. As a future doctor, I hope to stay very informed about what is happening with stuttering research, regardless of the specialty I am going into. I've done a lot of research into this medication and I could write an entire post about it and dopamine. Most things are explained in this video however ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u\_7GWKEOrdk&t=558s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_7GWKEOrdk&t=558s)). The guy being interviewed is head of ecopipam research. ​ Sorry if that was a lot. I feel like I could've written a lot more. But if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!