Varenicline for Cannabis Use Disorder in Men and Women
Official title: Varenicline as a Treatment for Cannabis Use Disorder
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11445421 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A clinical trial will test if varenicline helps people with cannabis use disorder, with a focus on differences between men and women and added counseling to support craving and mood management.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $602,327 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA064699-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11445421 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cannabis use disorder who are willing to participate in a combined pharmacologic and psychosocial treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without cannabis use disorder or those unable to take varenicline or participate in behavioral therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This study will enroll adults with cannabis use disorder and randomly assign them to varenicline or placebo, alongside a standardized cognitive behavioral therapy program. Researchers will compare how well varenicline reduces cannabis use overall and whether effects differ between men and women. The team will also use machine learning to identify personal factors linked to better treatment response. The trial will build on a previous finding that varenicline may help, especially in men, and aims to confirm and extend those results with a larger, sex-balanced sample.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants could have reduced cannabis use and better coping strategies, improving mental health and daily functioning.
How similar studies have gone: Previous smaller trials suggested varenicline could reduce cannabis use, with stronger effects in men; this study aims to replicate and expand on those results.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcrae-Clark, Aimee L — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Mcrae-Clark, Aimee L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Hemp-derived CBD for reducing cannabis use in high-THC concentrate users
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial tests whether hemp-derived CBD can help adults who mainly use high-potency cannabis concentrates reduce their cannabis use.
-
Cannabis Use Disorder and Opioid Health Risks in Veterans: A Long-Term VA Study
A long-term study of veterans looking at how cannabis use disorder and its treatment relate to opioid-related health problems and hospital visits.
-
One-session computerized program with text reminders to help manage distress and reduce cannabis use
A short computer-delivered emotional skills session plus just-in-time text reminders to help people who use cannabis and struggle with handling distress learn to tolerate emotions and cut back on use.
-
Advancing Pregnenolone as a Therapy for Cannabis Use Disorder with Depression
A study tests pregnenolone as a therapy for adults who have both cannabis use disorder and depression and aims to reduce cannabis use and improve mood.
-
Cannabis use and HIV: how pot may affect aging and HIV outcomes
A big study will look at how cannabis use and cannabis use disorder affect older people with HIV, including how it relates to aging problems and HIV treatment success.
-
Hemp-derived CBD for helping people reduce high-potency cannabis use
A clinical trial tests whether hemp-derived CBD can help adults reduce cannabis use and related withdrawal and mood symptoms when using high-potency cannabis concentrates.
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.