Acute Effects of Cannabis on Cognition and Affect
Washington State University
Summary
This study will examine how a moderate dose of THC affects mood, stress responses, and cognitive functioning in regular cannabis users. The study uses a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, meaning each participant will complete two sessions. Specifically, each participant will be given active cannabis (20 mg THC) in one session, and placebo in the other session. The order will be randomized across participants, so half will receive cannabis first, and the other half will receive placebo first. Ninety adults who use cannabis at least weekly will be recruited from the local community. After an online screening survey, eligible participants will attend a laboratory visit where the participants will provide informed consent and complete saliva and urine drug tests to confirm recent abstinence from cannabis and absence of other drugs. Participants who pass screening will complete baseline questionnaires of cannabis use patterns, depression, anxiety, ADHD symptoms, emotion regulation, affect, and demographic information. Cannabis and placebo materials (obtained from NIDA) will be vaporized using a Volcano vaporizer device. Participants will inhale the vapor under supervision, and neither the participant nor the researcher assessing outcomes will know which product is administered. After vaping, participants will complete repeated mood ratings, saliva samples, and a battery of cognitive tests assessing executive functions like planning, inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Participants will also complete a standardized stress challenge (the Maastricht Acute Stress Test), which involves repeated trials of placing their hand in cold water and doing challenging mental math, followed by additional mood ratings and saliva samples. The participants will then watch a nature video and report their feelings of awe and affect. At the end of each session, participants will remain in a supervised room with entertainment and snacks until at least four hours have passed since vaping and the participants report feeling sober. The participants will then return for a second session with the opposite study condition (THC or placebo) one week later. Both sessions follow the same procedures. Participants are fully debriefed after completing the study.
Description
Design: The investigators will address the research questions using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Cannabis Procurement, Storage, and Transport: Cannabis will be obtained from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The investigators will obtain cannabis containing 11.86% THC (barrel #1592). Our plan for dosing considers potency (grams of flower x 1000 x %THC = mg THC), so participants in the 20 mg THC condition will be administered .17g of 11.86% THC cannabis flower. The placebo will also be obtained from NIDA. Cannabis will be stored in the PI's secure cannabis…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * be 21 years of age or older * be fluent in English * use of cannabis at least once a week for at least one year * inhalation as their typical method of administration * be willing to abstain from cannabis on the day of their scheduled testing session Exclusion Criteria: * neurological conditions (e.g., neurodegenerative disorders, severe head injury, multiple concussions) * serious psychiatric conditions (e.g., psychosis, bipolar disorder) * family history of psychosis * intellectual disabilities or learning disorders (e.g., dyslexia) * chronic medical conditions that…
Interventions
- DrugTHC 20mg
20 mg THC delivered by vaporizing 0.17 g of 11.86% THC cannabis flower obtained from NIDA, using a Volcano vaporizer.
- DrugPlacebo
Placebo obtained from NIDA and vaporized using a Volcano vaporizer.
Location
- Washington State UniversityPullman, Washington