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Behavioral and Physiological Effects of THC and CBD

Phase 1
Withdrawn
Conditions
Healthy Volunteers
Interventions
Drug: Vaporized CBD with THC
Drug: Placebo
Drug: Vaporized THC alone
Drug: Vaporized CBD alone
Registration Number
NCT03832816
Lead Sponsor
Johns Hopkins University
Brief Summary

This study will evaluate physiological and behavioral responses to vaporized delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) administered via inhalation.

Detailed Description

The proposed study will be conducted at the Johns Hopkins Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit (BPRU). In this between-subjects study, participants will be randomized to complete 1 of 8 possible acute drug administration sessions in which participants will administer THC alone, CBD alone, THC and CBD together, or placebo. Following drug administration, participants will complete a performance session and complete a battery of questionnaires assessing subjective drug effects, mood, affect, and mental state. Vital signs and hormone levels will also be assessed before and after drug administration. The study will help the investigators understand the individual and interactive effects of THC and CBD, the two most common cannabis constituents.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
WITHDRAWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
Not specified
Inclusion Criteria
  • Have provided written informed consent
  • Be between the ages of 18 and 50
  • Be in good general health based on a physical examination, medical history, vital signs, and screening urine and blood tests
  • Willingness to provide urine sample at the screening visit and again upon admission for the experimental session
  • Test negative for recent drug or alcohol use at the screening visit and upon arrival for each experimental session.
  • Not be pregnant or nursing (if female). All females must have a negative pregnancy test at the screening visit and at clinic admission.
  • BMI 18-36
  • Blood pressure at screening visit does not exceed a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 150 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mmHg
  • Occasional/Intermittent cannabis users.
  • Have not donated blood in the prior 30 days.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Recent non-medical use of psychoactive drugs;
  • History of or current evidence of significant medical or psychiatric illness
  • any condition (as determined by the study physician or investigator) that puts the participant at greater risk.
  • Recent use of an over the counter (OTC), systemic or topical drug(s), herbal supplement(s), or vitamin(s) which, in the opinion of the investigator or sponsor, will interfere with the study result or the safety of the subject.
  • Recent use of a prescription medication (with the exception of hormonal birth control prescriptions) which, in the opinion of the investigator or sponsor, will interfere with the study result or the safety of the subject. This includes any medication metabolized via CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2B10, or which induce/inhibit CYP3A4 enzymes.
  • Recent use of hemp seeds or hemp oil.
  • Recent use of dronabinol (Marinol).
  • History of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmias or vasospastic disease (e.g., Prinzmetal's angina).
  • Recently enrolled in another clinical trial or have recently received any drug as part of a research study.
  • Epilepsy or a history of seizures.
  • Individuals who have a recent history of traumatic brain injury diagnosed by CT/MRI and have current sequela from prior brain injury, as determined by the study physician
  • Individuals with anemia
  • 5th grade reading level or lower.
  • Clinically relevant anxiety.
  • Individuals who are night shift workers

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Vaporized high CBD with THCVaporized CBD with THC200mg pure CBD paired with 5mg THC
PlaceboPlaceboDistilled Water
Vaporized THC aloneVaporized THC alone5mg pure THC
Vaporized low CBD aloneVaporized CBD alone50mg pure CBD
Vaporized medium CBD aloneVaporized CBD alone100mg pure CBD
Vaporized high CBD aloneVaporized CBD alone200mg pure CBD
Vaporized low CBD with THCVaporized CBD with THC50mg pure CBD paired with 5mg THC
Vaporized medium CBD with THCVaporized CBD with THC100mg pure CBD paired with 5mg THC
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in heart ratePrior to drug exposure and for 4 hours post-exposure.

Peak change in rate (in beats per minute)

Change in blood cortisol levelsPrior to drug exposure and for 4 hours post-exposure.

Peak change in blood cortisol levels in micrograms per deciliter (ug/dl) will be measured

Change in Positive affect levels as assessed by The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)Prior to drug exposure and for 4 hours post-exposure.

Peak change in total positive affect score. This PANAS consists of 20 items assessing positive affect (10 items) and negative affect (10 items). Each item is on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (very slightly or not at all) to 5 (extremely). 10 positive affect items are summed to create a total positive affect score while the 10 negative affect items are summed to create a total negative affect score; higher total scores indicate more positive affect or more negative (i.e., worse) affect.

Change in Negative affect levels as assessed by The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)Prior to drug exposure and for 4 hours post-exposure.

Peak change in total negative affect score. This PANAS consists of 20 items assessing positive affect (10 items) and negative affect (10 items). Each item is on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (very slightly or not at all) to 5 (extremely). 10 positive affect items are summed to create a total positive affect score while the 10 negative affect items are summed to create a total negative affect score; higher total scores indicate more positive affect or more negative (i.e., worse) affect.

Subjective rating of "Drug Effect" as assessed via the Drug Effect QuestionnairePrior to drug exposure and for 4 hours post-exposure.

Visual Analog Scale rating of subjective drug effect. Score ranges from 0 (none) to 100 (extreme) using a 100mm line anchored with none/extreme designation.

Change in blood Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levelsPrior to drug exposure and for 4 hours post-exposure.

Peak change in blood ACTH levels in picograms per milliliter (pg/ml) will be measured

Change in State Anxiety levels as assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)Prior to drug exposure and for 4 hours post-exposure.

Peak change in composite STAI score. Scale consists of 20 items assessing state anxiety levels; each item is on 4 point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 4 (almost always). Items are summed to obtain a composite score which can range from 20 to 80 (higher scores indicate more anxiety).

Change in Mood state as assessed by the The Profile of Mood States (POMS)Prior to drug exposure and for 4 hours post-exposure.

Peak change in total tension-anxiety sub-scale score for POMS. This sub-scale of the POMS consists of 9 items, each on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 4 (extremely) which are summed to create a total score of 9 to 36 (higher scores indicate more tension/anxiety).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Johns Hopkins Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

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