IV medicine to quickly reverse severe cannabis intoxication and stop cannabis-related vomiting
Official title: Development of an intravenous CB1 antagonist for acute cannabinoid intoxication and cannabis hyperemesis syndrome
Funded at Anebulo Pharmaceuticals, INC. · NIH-11139389 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A fast-acting IV medicine that blocks the brain's cannabis receptor to help people with dangerous cannabis overdoses or repeated severe vomiting from cannabis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Anebulo Pharmaceuticals, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lakeway, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $994,300 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DA059995-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11139389 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who present to an emergency department with severe cannabis intoxication or ongoing, severe vomiting believed to be cannabinoid hyperemesis would be the main candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with mild, short-lived cannabis effects, symptoms caused by other conditions, or those with contraindications to CB1-targeting drugs are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project is developing an intravenous CB1 antagonist — a medicine that blocks the main brain receptor THC uses — so it can be given quickly when cannabis causes severe symptoms. Researchers plan laboratory and preclinical testing and steps toward use in hospital emergency departments so the drug can be administered right away. The aim is a short-acting treatment you could receive when THC causes panic, psychosis, very fast heart rate, or prolonged nausea and vomiting. If it proves safe, future testing would involve patients who come to EDs with acute cannabinoid intoxication or cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could quickly relieve dangerous cannabis effects and stop prolonged vomiting, reducing emergency visits and hospital stays.
How similar studies have gone: Blocking CB1 has shown promise in animal studies and is a logical way to reverse THC effects, but prior oral CB1 blockers caused psychiatric side effects with long-term use and IV reversal for acute toxicity has limited human experience.
Where this research is happening
-
Anebulo Pharmaceuticals, INC.
Lakeway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cundy, Kenneth — Anebulo Pharmaceuticals, INC.
- Study coordinator: Cundy, Kenneth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Hemp-derived CBD for reducing cannabis use in high-THC concentrate users
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial tests whether hemp-derived CBD can help adults who mainly use high-potency cannabis concentrates reduce their cannabis use.
-
Understanding how minority stress affects cannabis use in sexual minorities
A research project follows young adult sexual minorities to see how daily stress and coping help explain cannabis use and related problems.
-
Repeated cannabis with different THC/CBD mixes and how it affects pain, cravings, and body chemicals
This project studies how taking cannabis repeatedly, with different THC and CBD amounts, changes pain experiences, potential for abuse, and levels of body chemicals related to the endocannabinoid system in adults.
-
Terminal cannabinoid CB1 receptor changes in schizophrenia and cannabis use
This grant studies how cannabis use and schizophrenia together affect a brain receptor (CB1) and what that could mean for memory and symptoms.
-
Cannabis policies and prenatal cannabis use: how laws affect moms and babies
This grant studies how changes in recreational cannabis laws influence cannabis use during pregnancy and health outcomes for mothers and children.
-
Youth and social media marketing of hemp-derived cannabis products
Young people are increasingly exposed to hemp-derived cannabis product marketing on social media, and this study looks at how that marketing might influence their attitudes and curiosity.
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.