Understanding how different cannabis edible ingredients affect the body
Official title: The Impact of Product Formulation on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Delta-9THC-Infused Cannabis Edibles
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10873795 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to understand how different ingredients in cannabis edibles change how the body absorbs delta-9-THC and the effects people experience.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $646,637 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057201-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10873795 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this project would be adults aged 21 or older who are current or past users of cannabis edibles and are willing to participate in a controlled laboratory setting.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who do not consume cannabis edibles or are under 21 years old would not directly benefit from participating in this specific project.
What this research studies
Many people use cannabis edibles, but their effects can be unpredictable, sometimes leading to unwanted reactions. This project will look at how the way an edible is made, such as using fats or special 'nanoemulsion' techniques, changes how quickly and how much THC gets into your system. We want to see if these differences in ingredients explain why some edibles have stronger or more unpredictable effects than others. By understanding this, we hope to make cannabis edibles safer and more consistent for users.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to safer and more predictable cannabis edible products, reducing the risk of accidental over-intoxication and adverse reactions.
How similar studies have gone: While preclinical work suggests formulation impacts THC absorption, controlled clinical research specifically on cannabis edible formulations and their effects in humans is limited, making this a novel area of direct human investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spindle, Tory Richard — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Spindle, Tory Richard
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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.