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The MARY-JANE Cannabis and Heart Rhythm Trial

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Premature Atrial Contractions
Premature Ventricular Contractions
Interventions
Behavioral: Randomized instructions
Registration Number
NCT06021613
Lead Sponsor
University of California, San Francisco
Brief Summary

Despite recreational cannabis now being legal in 23 states, where more than 100 million Americans reside, studies on the actual health effects are limited. This study is a randomized trial, where each participant will be instructed to consume or avoid cannabis on randomly assigned days during a 14-day monitoring period. The goal of this study is to answer the question:

"Does cannabis use increase the frequency of 'early' and abnormal heart beats?"

During the 14-day period, participants will wear an external heart monitor, a glucose monitor, and a fitness tracker to track heart rhythm, glucose levels, step counts, and sleep health. Participants will use a mobile app or a text messaging service for daily instructions/reminders on cannabis use, and short surveys. The investigators ask that participants smoke or vape cannabis at least once on days they are instructed to consume cannabis. Compelling evidence of heart and other health effects would be important to the clinical care of our patients.

Detailed Description

This study is designed as a case-crossover randomized trial, where each participant will be instructed to consume or avoid inhaled cannabis on randomly assigned days during a 14-day monitoring period. Participants will be asked to smoke or vape cannabis at least once on days they are instructed to consume cannabis. Participants will also wear an external electrocardiographic (ECG) monitor, a continuous glucose monitor, and a fitness tracker for up to two weeks while utilizing a mobile application or text messaging service to receive daily instructions/reminders on cannabis use, and short surveys. The investigators will compare participant self-report of cannabis consumption, glucose monitoring, fitness levels, sleep health, and heart rhythm data in order to better understand the relationship between acute cannabis consumption and heart rhythm changes. A total of 100 participants will be enrolled at the UCSF study site.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Are age 21 or older
  2. Have a smartphone
  3. Are able to use the Eureka mobile application and Mosio text messaging software
  4. Have inhaled cannabis in the past month and on at least four different days in the same week in the past year
  5. Are willing to consume and abstain from inhaled cannabis for no more than two consecutive days as instructed over the 14-day trial period
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Currently pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  2. Have a medical reason to avoid cannabis
  3. Are unwilling to avoid all forms of cannabis consumption on days instructed to abstain from cannabis
  4. Are currently taking anti-arrhythmic medications
  5. Have a history of atrial fibrillation or heart failure
  6. Have congenital heart disease
  7. Have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or pacemaker
  8. Have had a previous cardiac ablation procedure

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Case-crossoverRandomized instructionsParticipants will be randomized in two-day blocks to consume then avoid cannabis ("Start: On Cannabis") or avoid then consume cannabis ("Start: Off Cannabis"). Using an case-crossover strategy delivered by the NIH-funded, UCSF-run Eureka platform utilizing a mobile smartphone-based application, or the Mosio text messaging software for clinical research, participants will receive instructions and answer questions to help researchers and physicians understand the relationship between inhaled cannabis and heart rhythm.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in PAC and PVC frequenciesBaseline and after completion of cannabis consumption, up to 2 weeks

Participants will be wearing a continuously recording ECG monitor for two weeks. The primary outcome will be change in premature atrial contraction (PAC) and PVC frequency due to cannabis consumption or avoidance during the monitoring period.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean step count2 weeks

Participants will be wearing a fitness tracker that will record step counts. A secondary outcome will be difference in mean step counts due to cannabis consumption or avoidance during the monitoring period.

Change in SVT episodesBaseline and after completion of cannabis consumption, up to 2 weeks

Participants will be wearing a continuously recording ECG monitor for two weeks. A secondary outcome will be change in supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) episodes due to cannabis consumption or avoidance during the monitoring period.

Change in VT episodesBaseline and after completion of cannabis consumption, up to 2 weeks

Participants will be wearing a continuously recording ECG monitor for two weeks. A secondary outcome will be change in ventricular tachycardia (VT) episodes due to cannabis consumption or avoidance during the monitoring period.

Mean daily glucose levels2 weeks

Participants will be wearing a continuous glucose monitor that will record serum glucose levels. A secondary outcome will be difference in mean daily glucose levels due to cannabis consumption or avoidance during the monitoring period.

Mean sleep duration2 weeks

Participants will be wearing a fitness tracker that will record sleep duration. A secondary outcome will be difference in mean sleep duration due to cannabis consumption or avoidance during the monitoring period.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus

🇺🇸

San Francisco, California, United States

UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay

🇺🇸

San Francisco, California, United States

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