How stress and cannabis affect young adults differently by sex
Sex Differences in the Interface between Cannabis Use and Stress among Emerging Adults
This project looks at how cannabis use and stress together may change the brain's stress system in young men and women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166353 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited to join if you are a young adult who uses cannabis so researchers can compare how men and women respond. The team will study the brain's endocannabinoid system, measure stress reactions and withdrawal or relapse-related behaviors, and may collect biological samples and behavioral data. They will look for patterns linking cannabis exposure, stress-reactivity, and later coping or problem use, with attention to differences between sexes. The goal is to understand why cannabis-related problems may differ for young men and women.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are emerging adults who regularly use cannabis or have experienced cannabis use disorder, including both males and females.
Not a fit: People who do not use cannabis, younger adolescents, or those with unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could inform sex-specific approaches to preventing and treating cannabis-related problems in young adults.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies provide preliminary evidence of links between stress, the endocannabinoid system, and sex differences, but focused work in emerging adults is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Charleston, United States
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gray, Kevin M. — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Gray, Kevin M.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.