How THC affects people of different ages and sexes
Official title: Age-and sex-dependent pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of oral and smoked delta-9-THC
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11360566 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how the body handles and responds to THC taken by mouth or inhaled, in teens, young adults, and older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $653,534 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057252-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360566 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals aged between adolescence and older adulthood who use or are considering THC-containing products, including a range of sexes.
✕Less likely to help
People outside the studied age ranges or without THC exposure would not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
As cannabis use rises with changing laws, this study will examine how age and sex influence how THC behaves in the body and how it might cause side effects. Researchers will compare pharmacology and pharmacodynamics of oral and smoked THC across groups from adolescence to older adulthood. The findings could help doctors tailor guidance on safe use and potential risks for different patients. Participation would involve age-appropriate assessments and controlled exposure under medical supervision. Results could inform safer dosing and risk communication for people who use cannabis or may be considering use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how age and sex alter THC effects could lead to personalized safety information and dosing guidance for cannabis users.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows age and sex can influence drug metabolism, but this study explores THC specifically across a broad age span with dual administration routes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cooper, Ziva D — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Cooper, Ziva D
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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.