Anxiety, Inflammation, Stress, and Cannabinoids

Completed

Conditions studied: Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Anxiety Generalized, Anxiety Chronic, Inflammation, Inflammatory Response

In brief

This study investigates whether the anxiolytic effects and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis vary as a function of the ratio of CBD to THC, with the goal that these effects may shed light on the mixed data linking cannabis use and anxiety. Individuals with mild to moderate anxiety who elect to use cannabis (smoked flower or edible) will complete four weeks of observation. Participants complete cognitive tasks, a substance use history, health questionnaires concerning sleep and physical activity, and a blood draw at four different time points (Baseline, after 2 weeks of cannabis use, and immediately before and after self-administration after 4 weeks of use) with the use of a mobile pharmacology laboratory, which goes to a convenient location for each participant to self-administer their cannabis. Participants are then followed for five months to self-report on cannabis use, anxiety, subjective cognitive functioning, sleep quality, and other mental health symptoms.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03491384

Run by

University of Colorado, Boulder

People needed

361

Starts

2018-04-01

Expected to finish

2023-05-17

Last updated by the study team

2025-08-27

Who can join

Age: 21 and older, up to 70. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Non-users of cannabis must have been a non-user of cannabis for at least six months
• If a user of cannabis, at least one episode of lifetime cannabis use and a desire to use cannabis to cope with anxiety.
• Reports at least mild to moderate anxiety (≥5 on GAD-7)

You may not qualify if…

• Seeking treatment for a substance use disorder
• Current use of other drugs (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine)
• Current use psychotropic or steroid-based medications
• Has an immune-relevant disease (e.g. HIV)
• Daily tobacco user
• Currently pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• In treatment for psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder or major depression disorder with suicidal ideation; or a history with these disorders.

Where it is running

• Center for Innovation and Creativity — Boulder, Colorado, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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