Understanding Cannabis Use After a Traumatic Event
Official title: Cannabis use following trauma exposure: An observational study of the impact of acute stress and fear response on cannabis outcomes
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11093429 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how cannabis use changes for young adults after they experience a traumatic event, especially how acute stress and fear might influence these patterns.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $651,909 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA054116-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093429 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This project is looking for young adults, aged 18-25, who have recently experienced a traumatic event.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not recently experienced trauma or are outside the 18-25 age range may not directly benefit from this specific observational project.
What this research studies
We know that experiencing trauma can lead to challenges like PTSD and cannabis use disorder, particularly in young adults aged 18-25. Many people report using cannabis to cope with distress and anxiety after a traumatic event. This project aims to observe how cannabis use in the days and weeks following trauma might affect long-term behaviors and brain responses related to fear. We want to learn if cannabis helps or hinders recovery from trauma symptoms and how it impacts the body's stress response.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us understand how cannabis affects recovery from trauma and inform better support strategies for individuals after difficult experiences.
How similar studies have gone: Current evidence on cannabis use in the acute post-trauma period is limited and conflicting, suggesting this project addresses an area with much to learn.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nugent, Nicole R — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Nugent, Nicole R
Related research
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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.