How your genes affect risks and responses to cannabis

Genetic Basis of the Risk and Consequences of Cannabis Exposure in Humans

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-11145912

This project looks at how people's genes change their chances of addiction, psychosis, and thinking problems after using cannabis.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-11145912 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

From your perspective, researchers will link DNA information with medical and drug-use histories to see who develops cannabis use disorder, psychosis, or cognitive problems after using cannabis. They will combine genetic data from large groups and use genome-wide analyses to find gene variants tied to these outcomes and to differences in responses to cannabinoid products and treatments. The team will also bring together clinical trial and cohort data to better understand genetic effects across different types of cannabis exposure and patient groups. Results are meant to point toward who might be at higher risk and which treatments might work better for certain genetic profiles.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with current or past cannabis use—especially people with cannabis use disorder, cannabis-related psychosis, or cognitive complaints—who can provide consent, clinical information, and a DNA sample or allow use of existing data.

Not a fit: People who never use cannabis or who cannot or do not want to share genetic or clinical information are unlikely to see direct benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people at higher risk from cannabis and guide more personalized prevention or treatment options.

How similar studies have performed: Previous genome-wide studies have found genetic links to cannabis use and related disorders, but the exact causal pathways and treatment-response effects are still unclear.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.