Exploring cannabis use and stress in young adults

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the relationship between cannabis use and stress, focusing on sex differences among emerging adults with cannabis use disorder. It aims to understand how cannabis affects stress management and coping mechanisms during this critical developmental stage. Participants will receive either a cannabidiol oral solution or a placebo, and their responses will be monitored to inform tailored clinical interventions. The research is grounded in the physiological role of the endocannabinoid system and its development during emerging adulthood.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Able to provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient to allow accurate completion of all assessment instruments
* Meet DSM-5 criteria for CUD and report using cannabis at least five times weekly over the past month. While individuals may also meet criteria for other mild substance use disorders, they must identify cannabis as their primary substance
* Age 18-25
* BMI between 18-30 (to decrease variability in CBD response and in endocannabinoid system measures)
* AST, ALT, and total bilirubin within the laboratory reference range of normal
* Consent to alcohol abstinence for 12 hours prior to study visits, three days of cannabis abstinence as part of study procedures, and abstinence from all substances aside from cannabis, alcohol, and nicotine for the duration of the study
* Sexually active females of childbearing potential must agree to utilize an effective means of birth control.
* Consent to random assignment to CBD versus placebo

Exclusion Criteria:

* Females who are pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant during the study.
* Current severe substance use disorder other than cannabis
* Current medications or supplements with clinically significant interactions with cannabidiol (per Lexicomp, this list includes Blasting, Doxorubicin, Mavacamten, Pazopanib, Sirolimus, Topotecan, Vincristine, Afatinib, Berotraslstat, Cilostazol, Citalopram, Colchicine, Digoxin, Lefamulin, Relugolix, Relugolix+Estradiol+Norethindrone, Rimegepant, Tizanidine, Ubrogepant, and Venetoclax in the categories of "avoid combination" or "consider therapy modification")
* Current unstable psychiatric or medical disorder that would interfere with safety, compromise data integrity, or preclude reliable participation
* History of hypersensitivity to CBD, sesame, or sesame products
* Inability to comply with study procedures

Where it's running

• Medical University of South Carolina
  Charleston, South Carolina, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Kevin M Gray, M.D. — Medical University of South Carolina
• Study coordinator: Kevin Branson
• Email: bransonk@musc.edu
• Phone: 843-792-0493

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Can tACS modulate motivation and reward signals in cannabis use disorder and depression

  We’re testing whether a gentle brain stimulation method (tACS) can boost motivation and reward responses in adults with cannabis use and/or depression to see if it helps with anhedonia.

  Recruiting Florida State University · Tallahassee, Florida and 1 other locations · NCT07924852

• Sex differences in how cannabis affects people who regularly use it

  This Phase 2 trial tests whether men and women who use cannabis several days a week respond differently to THC versus placebo.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, South Carolina · NCT07815691

• Semaglutide for cannabis use disorder: see if a medicine helps reduce use

  This study tests whether weekly injections of semaglutide can help adults with cannabis use disorder reduce their cannabis use compared with placebo.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Psychiatric Centre Rigshospitalet · Frederiksberg · NCT07523633

• Brain imaging to predict teens' response to cannabis treatment

  This project will test whether teens' brain activity during a learning task can predict how well 14–17-year-olds do in a 10-week virtual reward program to reduce cannabis use.

  Recruiting Indiana University · Indianapolis, Indiana · NCT07340554

• Reducing cannabis use to improve daily functioning.

  This program will try an 8-week combination of motivational interviewing, computerized CBT (CBT4CBT), and small financial rewards to help adults with cannabis use disorder cut back on cannabis.

  Recruiting Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, South Carolina · NCT07218471

• Home-based brain stimulation with guided mindfulness for cannabis use disorder

  This project tests whether daily at-home mild brain stimulation plus guided mindfulness can help adults with cannabis use disorder reduce or stop their cannabis use.

  Recruiting NYU Langone Health · New York, New York · NCT07184983

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.