How THC-rich edibles affect how the body processes and responds to cannabis
Official title: The Impact of Product Formulation on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Delta-9THC-Infused Cannabis Edibles
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11359630 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests how different edible cannabis formulations change THC levels in the body and the resulting effects in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $646,637 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057201-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11359630 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Healthy adults aged 21 and older who use or are at risk of using cannabis edibles and are able to comply with study procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder or with certain medical conditions may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This study recruits healthy adults to participate in a double-blind, placebo-controlled lab trial to compare how various edible THC formulations are absorbed and how they affect the body and mind. Researchers will administer standardized edible products and measure THC in the blood along with acute effects on cognition and behavior. The goal is to understand how formulation choices influence exposure and response to help make edibles safer and more predictable. Participants will undergo brief clinic visits, blood draws, and safety monitoring in a controlled research setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to safer, more predictable edible cannabis products for consumers and inform guidelines for minimizing adverse effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown formulation can affect THC absorption in humans, supporting the potential value of confirming these effects in controlled trials.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spindle, Tory Richard — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Spindle, Tory Richard
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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.