Advancing Pregnenolone as a Therapy for Cannabis Use Disorder with Depression

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This project focuses on adults with cannabis use disorder who also experience depression. It builds on prior findings that pregnenolone may dampen cannabis effects and improve mood, exploring its use as a dual-purpose treatment. The team at UT Southwestern will test how pregnenolone works when given to participants, monitoring safety and changes in cannabis use and depressive symptoms over time. The study uses human participants to explore a potential new medication approach for a challenging co-occurring condition. If successful, it could lead to new options for people struggling with both cannabis use and depression.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Ut Southwestern Medical Center
  Dallas, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Brown, E Sherwood — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Brown, E Sherwood

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Hemp-derived CBD for reducing cannabis use in high-THC concentrate users

  A randomized, placebo-controlled trial tests whether hemp-derived CBD can help adults who mainly use high-potency cannabis concentrates reduce their cannabis use.

  NIH research University of Colorado · Boulder, UNITED STATES · NIH-11567759

• Varenicline for Cannabis Use Disorder in Men and Women

  A clinical trial will test if varenicline helps people with cannabis use disorder, with a focus on differences between men and women and added counseling to support craving and mood management.

  NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11445421

• Cannabis Use Disorder and Opioid Health Risks in Veterans: A Long-Term VA Study

  A long-term study of veterans looking at how cannabis use disorder and its treatment relate to opioid-related health problems and hospital visits.

  NIH research Columbia University Health Sciences · New York, United States · NIH-11415661

• One-session computerized program with text reminders to help manage distress and reduce cannabis use

  A short computer-delivered emotional skills session plus just-in-time text reminders to help people who use cannabis and struggle with handling distress learn to tolerate emotions and cut back on use.

  NIH research Florida State University · Tallahassee, United States · NIH-11399242

• Understanding how cannabis use and genes change the brain to increase depression risk

  A research project at Yale is exploring how cannabis use might change specific brain cells and genes, potentially making people more vulnerable to depression.

  NIH research Yale University · New Haven, United States · NIH-11395269

• Cannabis use and HIV: how pot may affect aging and HIV outcomes

  A big study will look at how cannabis use and cannabis use disorder affect older people with HIV, including how it relates to aging problems and HIV treatment success.

  NIH research Boston University Medical Campus · Boston, United States · NIH-11371946

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.