Stroke: what we know about treatments people ask about

How far testing has got

The step says how far testing has got, not that it works.

• Curcumin (turmeric)

  Tested in large studies that compare groups of patients. This says how far testing has got, not that it works.

  Phase 3 or randomised controlled trial on record. The rung shows the stage reached; the result is listed separately.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 82 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  Large trials

• Dichloroacetate (DCA)

  Tested in large studies that compare groups of patients. This says how far testing has got, not that it works.

  Phase 3 or randomised controlled trial on record. The rung shows the stage reached; the result is listed separately.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 17 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  Large trials

• Fasting and fasting-mimicking diet

  Tested in large studies that compare groups of patients. This says how far testing has got, not that it works.

  Phase 3 or randomised controlled trial on record. The rung shows the stage reached; the result is listed separately.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 220 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  Large trials

• High-dose vitamin C

  Tested in large studies that compare groups of patients. This says how far testing has got, not that it works.

  Phase 3 or randomised controlled trial on record. The rung shows the stage reached; the result is listed separately.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 84 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  Large trials

• Hyperthermia

  Tested in large studies that compare groups of patients. This says how far testing has got, not that it works.

  Phase 3 or randomised controlled trial on record. The rung shows the stage reached; the result is listed separately.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 182 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  Large trials

• Ketogenic diet

  Tested in large studies that compare groups of patients. This says how far testing has got, not that it works.

  Phase 3 or randomised controlled trial on record. The rung shows the stage reached; the result is listed separately.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 16 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  Large trials

• Melatonin

  Tested in large studies that compare groups of patients. This says how far testing has got, not that it works.

  Phase 3 or randomised controlled trial on record. The rung shows the stage reached; the result is listed separately.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 185 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  Large trials

• Metformin

  Tested in large studies that compare groups of patients. This says how far testing has got, not that it works.

  Phase 3 or randomised controlled trial on record. The rung shows the stage reached; the result is listed separately.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 213 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  Large trials

• Statins

  Tested in large studies that compare groups of patients. This says how far testing has got, not that it works.

  Phase 3 or randomised controlled trial on record. The rung shows the stage reached; the result is listed separately.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 418 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  Large trials

• Vitamin D

  Tested in large studies that compare groups of patients. This says how far testing has got, not that it works.

  Phase 3 or randomised controlled trial on record. The rung shows the stage reached; the result is listed separately.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 306 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  Large trials

• Amygdalin (laetrile, "vitamin B17")

  First small studies in people, mainly to check safety and the dose.

  Phase 1, early Phase 1 or Phase 1/2 trial on record.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 4 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  First trials in people

• Cannabis and cannabinoids (CBD, THC)

  First small studies in people, mainly to check safety and the dose.

  Phase 1, early Phase 1 or Phase 1/2 trial on record.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 145 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  First trials in people

• Mistletoe extract

  Single case reports or observations in people. These cannot show whether it helps.

  Case reports, observational data, or pooled data without a reported benefit.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 1 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  Reports in people

• Ivermectin

  Tested in animals only. Many things that work in animals do not work in people.

  In-vivo animal studies only.

  Worked out by a fixed rule from 2 sources · 4 Nov 2026

  Animal studies only

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