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The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Sweet Taste Intensity and Liking

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Sensory Science
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT02112292
Lead Sponsor
Wageningen University
Brief Summary

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system, a neurochemical signalling system consisting of CB-receptors and their endogenous ligands, has been found to be involved in food intake of sweet and palatable foods. Activation of the eCB system increases food intake and vice versa. The mechanism behind this effect is still unknown and the current study aims at clarifying why sweet food intake increases. It is hypothesized that sweet taste intensity increases and that sweet taste is experienced as more pleasant.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
10
Inclusion Criteria
  • BMI: 18.5 - 25 kg/m2
  • Incidental cannabis use for at least one year, at least four times per year, but less than once a week.
  • Dutch-speaking
  • Willing to comply with the study procedures
  • Having given written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Not meeting the inclusion criteria
  • Restraint eating (men: score > 2.90)
  • Lack of appetite
  • Having difficulties with swallowing/eating
  • Usage of an energy restricted diet during the last two months
  • Weight loss or weight gain of 5kg or more during the last two months
  • Stomach or bowel disease
  • Diabetes, thyroid disease, other endocrine disorders
  • Use of daily medication except paracetamol
  • Having taste or smell disorders (self-report)
  • Being allergic/intolerant for products under study
  • Previously experienced an adverse reaction to cannabinoids (e.g. anxiety, paranoia, nausea)
  • Having (had) a schizophrenia or other psychotic illness
  • Having a family history of schizophrenia or other psychotic illness
  • Working at the Division of Human Nutrition (WUR)
  • Current participation in other research from the Division of Human Nutrition (WUR)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
C - T - PPlaceboOrder of administrations: cannabidiol - tetrahydrocannabinol - placebo
T-C-PPlaceboOrder of administrations: tetrahydrocannabinol - cannabidiol - placebo
T-P-CPlaceboOrder of administrations: tetrahydrocannabinol - placebo - cannabidiol
T-C-PtetrahydrocannabinolOrder of administrations: tetrahydrocannabinol - cannabidiol - placebo
T-P-CtetrahydrocannabinolOrder of administrations: tetrahydrocannabinol - placebo - cannabidiol
C - P - TPlaceboOrder of administrations: cannabidiol - placebo - tetrahydrocannabinol
P - C - TPlaceboOrder of administrations: placebo - cannabidiol - tetrahydrocannabinol
P - T - CPlaceboOrder of administrations: placebo - tetrahydrocannabinol - cannabidiol
P - T - CcannabidiolOrder of administrations: placebo - tetrahydrocannabinol - cannabidiol
T-C-PcannabidiolOrder of administrations: tetrahydrocannabinol - cannabidiol - placebo
T-P-CcannabidiolOrder of administrations: tetrahydrocannabinol - placebo - cannabidiol
C - T - PtetrahydrocannabinolOrder of administrations: cannabidiol - tetrahydrocannabinol - placebo
C - T - PcannabidiolOrder of administrations: cannabidiol - tetrahydrocannabinol - placebo
C - P - TtetrahydrocannabinolOrder of administrations: cannabidiol - placebo - tetrahydrocannabinol
C - P - TcannabidiolOrder of administrations: cannabidiol - placebo - tetrahydrocannabinol
P - C - TtetrahydrocannabinolOrder of administrations: placebo - cannabidiol - tetrahydrocannabinol
P - T - CtetrahydrocannabinolOrder of administrations: placebo - tetrahydrocannabinol - cannabidiol
P - C - TcannabidiolOrder of administrations: placebo - cannabidiol - tetrahydrocannabinol
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Relation between sweet taste intensity and liking15 minutes after intervention

The main study parameter is the relation between sucrose intensity scaling (psychophysics) and liking (psychohedonics) of drinks with the different sucrose concentrations. These scores will be assessed after six participants and at end of the study.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Ranking order of pleasantness of different drinks with different levels of sucrose.25 minutes after intervention

Ranking order will be assessed after 6 participants and at end of the study

Preferences for different kinds of foods45 minutes after intervention (15 minutes after top-up dose)

Preference for foods high in one of three macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein, fat) or low in energy

Ad libitum intake35 minutes after intervention (5 minutes after top-up dose)

Ad libitum intake of a chocolate-based drink

Change of plasma levels of (endo-)cannabinoids and satiety hormonesOne hour after intervention
PolymorphismsAt test session, i.e., 2 weeks before first intervention

The genetic determination of the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of THC and CBD.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Wageningen University

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Wageningen, Gelderland, Netherlands

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