Systematic look at how THC and CBD interact in real people
Official title: Systematic Assessment of Cannabinoid Interactions: Impairment, Abuse Potential and Pharmacokinetic Effects
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11447047 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at the University of Kentucky will test how THC and CBD work together across different doses to see if they affect driving skills, reward and safety, and how the body processes them.
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 | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $646,726 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA064647-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11447047 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who are eligible for controlled pharmacology research with prior screening and informed consent.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy volunteers or individuals not meeting safety criteria may not benefit from the results.
What this research studies
This project will give adults controlled amounts of THC and CBD, alone and in combination, to understand how they interact. Researchers will measure driving-simulated performance, potential for abuse, pharmacokinetics (how the body processes the drugs), and safety signals across a range of dose combinations. The goal is to identify how different THC:CBD ratios might change impairment and safety in real-world use. Results could inform safer product formulations and clearer guidance for consumers. The study is designed to be careful about participant well-being with thorough monitoring.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to safer cannabis products and better public health guidance about using THC and CBD together.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has begun to map individual effects of THC or CBD, but comprehensive interaction data are limited and this study expands on that.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Babalonis, Shanna — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Babalonis, Shanna
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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.