Orexin blockers for cannabis withdrawal and use in a controlled inpatient study
Official title: Effects of the Orexin Dual Receptor Antagonist Suvorexant on Cannabis Withdrawal and Self-Administration: a Controlled Inpatient Human Laboratory Study in People with Cannabis Use Disorder
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11337805 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study will test whether blocking orexin receptors with suvorexant helps people with cannabis use disorder manage withdrawal and reduce self‑ar mg behavior in a supervised inpatient setting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $611,927 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA065557-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11337805 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cannabis use disorder who can participate in an inpatient laboratory study.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without cannabis use disorder or those unable to participate in an inpatient setting may not benefit.
What this research studies
This inpatient study will enroll adults with cannabis use disorder to test how suvorexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonist, affects withdrawal symptoms and cannabis self‑administration. Participants will be closely monitored in a controlled laboratory environment to measure cravings, withdrawal, and cannabis intake, using standardized assessments and biological samples. The goal is to see if targeting the orexin system can make quitting cannabis easier and reduce the chance of relapse.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lead to new treatment options that ease withdrawal and reduce cannabis use.
How similar studies have gone: Early clinical data suggest orexin antagonists may help with withdrawal in other substances, supporting exploration in cannabis use.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lile, Joshua Anthony — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Lile, Joshua Anthony
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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.