Effects of Cannabidiol on Learning and Anxiety in College Students

Cannabidiol Effects on Learning and Anxiety

Early Phase 1 Interventional University of Connecticut · NCT05283382

This study tests if a single dose of CBD can help college students with social anxiety feel less fear after a scary exercise.

Quick facts

PhaseEarly Phase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment160 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 50 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Connecticut Academic / other
Locations1 site (Storrs, Connecticut)
Trial IDNCT05283382 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how Cannabidiol (CBD) may improve the extinction of fear responses in college students with elevated social anxiety. Participants will undergo a fear conditioning exercise where they learn to associate a face with a mild shock. Following this, half of the participants will receive a single dose of 600 mg CBD, while the other half will receive a placebo. The study will measure the effectiveness of CBD in reducing fear responses through physiological and subjective assessments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are college students aged 18-50 who exhibit elevated levels of social anxiety.

Not a fit: Patients with heart problems, neurological disorders, or those currently using CBD or cannabis products may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a novel treatment option for individuals with social anxiety by enhancing their ability to overcome fear responses.

How similar studies have performed: While there is emerging research on CBD's effects on anxiety, this specific approach to fear conditioning extinction is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-50 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Difficulties seeing a computer screen
2. Anyone currently taking CBD within the last 24 hours.
3. Anyone using any cannabis product within the last 24 hours.
4. Heart problems or heart disease
5. A neurological disorder such as epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumor, vascular malformations, aneurysm
6. Are currently pregnant or breast-feeding

Where this trial is running

Storrs, Connecticut

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Anxiety and Fearsocial anxietyfear conditioningcannabidiolelectrodermal response
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.