Pregnenolone as a treatment for cannabis intoxication
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11399979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small study will test whether pregnenolone can quickly lessen cannabis intoxication symptoms in adults in a safe, controlled setting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $194,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA063854-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399979 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults experiencing cannabis intoxication or healthy volunteers with controlled exposure in a research setting may be suitable, under strict safety monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not experiencing cannabis intoxication or those with contraindications to pregnenolone may not benefit.
What this research studies
This study will involve adults who have recently experienced cannabis intoxication. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, participants will receive pregnenolone or a placebo in a within-subjects setup to see if the neurosteroid can reduce symptoms like anxiety, impaired coordination, dry mouth, and tachycardia. The team will monitor safety, symptoms, and potential biomarkers in a controlled laboratory environment at Johns Hopkins to understand its effects on the CB1 receptor. If successful, this work could inform future treatments for cannabis-related emergencies and improve care in emergency departments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, pregnenolone could become a safe option to alleviate cannabis intoxication symptoms and reduce emergency room complications.
How similar studies have gone: Prior preclinical data suggest pregnenolone can modulate cannabis effects, but human data on reversing active intoxication are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wolinsky, David — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Wolinsky, David
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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.