Investigating how cannabis affects men and women differently
Sex-dependent effects of cannabis: Assessing abuse-related and pharmacokinetic differences between men and women
This study is looking at how men and women react differently to cannabis, especially when it comes to pain relief and the risk of using it too much, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how cannabis affects people based on their gender.
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 ID | NIH-10891338 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research examines the differences in how men and women respond to cannabis, particularly focusing on the potential for abuse and the effects on pain relief. By comparing light and heavy cannabis users, the study aims to understand the varying experiences and risks associated with cannabis use between genders. Participants will be assessed on their subjective experiences and self-administration behaviors after using smoked cannabis. The findings could provide valuable insights into the sex-dependent effects of cannabis, which is crucial for tailoring treatment approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adult men and women who use cannabis, either lightly or heavily.
Not a fit: Patients who do not use cannabis or have contraindications to cannabis use may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer cannabis-based treatments for pain management, particularly for women.
How similar studies have performed: While there has been some preclinical research on sex differences in cannabis effects, this study is among the first to prospectively investigate these differences in humans.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- 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
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.