Cannabidiol and Prolonged Exposure

Completed · Phase 2 · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: PTSD

In brief

The trial will include a randomized control trial to evaluate the efficacy of using Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, as an adjunctive to Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE). The trial will compare PE + CBD to PE + placebo in a sample of 136 military Veterans with PTSD at the VA San Diego Medical Center. The study represents the logical and innovative next step for augmenting existing treatments and developing novel pharmacotherapy for PTSD. Findings from the proposed RCT will inform clinical practice and policy by investigating whether administration of CBD in the context of PE therapy will improve treatment outcomes for military Veterans with PTSD.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03518801

Run by

VA Office of Research and Development

People needed

136

Starts

2019-10-01

Expected to finish

2025-09-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-08

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Over the age of 18 at the time of screening.
• Judged by the study physician to be in generally good health.
• Meet clinical criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5).
• Negative urine pregnancy test.

You may not qualify if…

• History of significant allergic condition, significant drug-related hypersensitivity, or allergic reaction to cannabinoids.
• Used cannabis, synthetic cannabinoid, cannabinoid analogue, or any CBD or THC-containing product within 30 days of eligibility screening.
• Patient has had a change in psychopharmacotherapy regimen in the last 4 weeks, or has any plans to change regimen over the course of the study.
• Patient is engaged in trauma-related psychotherapy for PTSD.
• Current or past DSM-5 diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder, eating disorder with active purging, personality disorders, primary psychotic disorder, or bipolar affective disorder type 1.
• Patient is currently prescribed medications with possible CBD-drug interactions.
• History of actual suicide attempt in the last 5 years.
• Unmanaged obstructive sleep apnea.
• Positive drug screen for THC, barbiturates, amphetamines (if not prescribed), benzodiazepines, and/or opiates.
• History of treatment for, or evidence of, moderate to severe alcohol or drug abuse within the past year or regular alcohol consumption exceeding recommended limits.
• Lifetime history of Cannabis Use Disorder.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding.

Where it is running

• VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA — San Diego, California, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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