Understanding THC's Immediate Effects in Older Adults
Acute effects of THC in older adults
This project looks at how THC, a component of cannabis, immediately affects the mind and body of healthy older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142596 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As cannabis use becomes more common among older adults, we need to understand how it affects them differently than younger people. This project explores how THC might impact thinking, anxiety, and heart health in older individuals, considering natural changes that come with aging. We want to see if older adults might be more sensitive to THC's effects due to differences in their brain and body systems. The goal is to gather important information to help older adults make informed decisions about cannabis use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be healthy older adults interested in understanding the immediate effects of THC.
Not a fit: Patients who are not older adults or who have significant health conditions that would prevent safe participation may not receive direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide crucial safety information and guidance for older adults considering or currently using cannabis.
How similar studies have performed: There is very limited high-quality information on the acute effects of cannabinoids specifically in healthy older adults, making this a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: D'souza, Deepak Cyril — Yale University
- Study coordinator: D'souza, Deepak Cyril
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 below.