Cannabinoids and Biological Reactivity to Stress
Florida State University
Summary
The goal of this study is to test the impact of two drugs that produce temporary stress-like symptoms, both in isolation and together, on cannabis use motivation in individuals with Cannabis Use Disorder. The main questions it will answer are: 1. How do different forms of stress affect cannabis use motivation? 2. How do different forms of stress affect the body's natural cannabinoids? Researchers will compare a placebo to both drugs in isolation, as well as together, across four separate lab visits. Participants will: 1\) Complete a clinical screening interview (by phone or in-person) and visit the lab for a medical screening, and if eligible: a) Visit the lab four times where they will: i). Take one of four drug combinations ii). Complete an interview, questionnaires, and computerized tasks iii). Have their brain activity recorded with an EEG cap iv). Provide three blood samples
Description
The prevalence of daily cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) has increased in the United States over the past two decades. Unfortunately, psychosocial treatments produce minimal long-term abstinence rates and no FDA-approved medications for CUD exist. Thus, identifying novel CUD treatment targets is an increasingly urgent public health need. Stress-elicited cannabis use motivation has been implicated in worse CUD outcomes, but a mechanistic understanding of how acute stress increases cannabis use motivation in CUD is limited. Prior work has demonstrated that acute psychosocial stress…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Meets criteria for current, moderate to severe Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) as assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) during the screening interview. * Reports engagement in near-daily/daily cannabis use. * Provide a urine sample positive for THC. * Must be in generally good health as determined by a physical exam, EKG, and blood tests * Must be adequately informed of the nature and risks of the study and given written informed consent prior to screening. * Able to read and wr…
Interventions
- DrugHydrocortisone Oral
20mg hydrocortisone, single oral dose
- DrugYohimbine Hydrochloride
54mg yohimbine hcl, single oral dose
- DrugCornstarch Placebo 20mg
20mg cornstarch placebo, single oral dose
- DrugCornstarch Placebo 54mg
54mg cornstarch placebo, single oral dose
Location
- The BRAINS Lab at Florida State UniversityTallahassee, Florida