CBD Oil for Reducing Emotional Impact of COVID-19 (CBDOIL)

November 17, 2023 updated by: Michael J. Telch, University of Texas at Austin

Use of CBD Oil for Reducing the Negative Emotional Impact of COVID-19: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Our purpose is to conduct a 4-arm placebo-controlled clinical trial to investigate the relative clinical efficacy of 300 mg. of pure hemp-derived CBD isolate, 300 mg. of full spectrum CBD oil, 300 mg. of broad- spectrum CBD Oil, or Placebo oil among adults presenting with COVID-19 -induced stress reactions including one or more of the following: anxiety, depression, anger, substance use, or sleep disturbance.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Background and Significance of the Proposed Project

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit us like a ton of bricks creating unimaginable levels of unanticipated death, financial hardship, and dramatic changes in nearly every facet of our life including school, work, shopping, social and family life. Sadly, the physical, mental, economic, and health burden of COVID-19 disproportionately affects the poor, the elderly, and people of color.

The stress induced by these changes as well as the lack of control we have over them increases risk for new onset of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, sleep disturbance, and family violence as well as exacerbation of symptoms among those with pre-existing psychiatric conditions. Although many people will successfully manage the increased stress from COVID-19 on their own or with the support from family and friends, others may need extra help to cope. Consequently, there is an urgent need for developing cost-effective strategies for managing the stress-induced psychological consequences of COVID-19.

There's been considerable excitement in the press over the potential therapeutic use of cannabidiol (CBD) products in the treatment of a variety of physical and mental health problems. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9 THC) is still illegal in most states because of its psychoactive abuse potential. In contrast, cannabidiol (CBD) does not convert to THC in the body and has negligible side effects relative to main-stream psychiatric drugs (benzodiazepines and antidepressants) commonly prescribed for the treatment of stress-related disorders such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Mounting evidence from studies with rodents suggests that CBD may confer significant promising health-related benefits including anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, anti-cancer, memory enhancement, and facilitation of fear extinction (see White for a recent review).

The biggest success story for CBD use in humans to date comes from placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials demonstrating a 50% or more reduction in previously intractable seizures in children suffering from Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Moreover, several controlled clinical trials have shown promising findings in reducing psychotic symptoms among patients with schizophrenia and among young adults displaying THC-induced psychosis.

Preliminary Evidence that CBD may offer promise in the treatment of stress-related disorders has started to emerge. A small pilot trial with 24 patients presenting with social anxiety disorder found that relative to placebo, a single dose of 100 mg of CBD oil led to lower levels of anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort in their actual speech performance as well as their anxiety before the speech. An uncontrolled case series of 11 PTSD patients receiving 8 weeks of CBD, reported a 28% reduction in PTSD symptom scores. In a small 4-week placebo-controlled study of 37 young Japanese adults with social anxiety disorder, Masataka found a significant advantage of CBD over placebo in reducing subjects' scores on two widely used measures of social anxiety symptoms.

Why Compare CBD-Isolate with Broad-Spectrum and Full-Spectrum CBD? CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD. It is made by extracting it from its natural environment - either hemp which is legal and recognized as generally safe in all states because of its low THC content (less than .3%), or the marijuana plant which has high levels of THC (up to 30%) and remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.

Unlike hemp-derived CBD Isolate, hemp-derived full-spectrum CBD contains all the hundreds of phytochemicals naturally found in the cannabis plant, including CBD, trace cannabinoids including Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabichromene (CBC), Cannabigerol (CBDA) and Cannabidivarin (CBDV), and more than 200 different terpenes, essential oils, and negligible THC content (less than 0.3%).

Research demonstrating the wide-ranging therapeutic effects of CBD oil including anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and anti-psychotic effects were based on studies using pure doses of CBD Isolate. However, more recently it has been shown that the therapeutic effects of purified CBD display a bell-shaped dose-response curve suggesting a limited dose range, with no beneficial effects achieved at either lower or higher doses. This narrow therapeutic window presents a challenge for using CBD isolate clinically.

Based on recent research with rodents and humans, administration of a full spectrum cannabis extract containing mostly CBD but also containing other minor phytocannabinoids and non-cannabinoids exerted a synergistic effect with CBD that was both more effective than CBD Isolate without the unwanted bell-shaped dose-response curve. This finding has been named the entourage effect. However, to date, there are no human trials for any physical or mental health problem comparing the gold standard CBD isolate with a full-spectrum CBD formulation, despite the fact that both forms of CBD are widely available without a prescription in stores all across the United States. The proposed project will provide important data to determine whether a full-spectrum CBD formulation offers any advantages over CBD isolate in reducing COVID-19 stress-induced symptoms.

Specific Aims and Hypotheses:

  1. Compare the efficacy of a 4-week daily regimen of hemp-derived CBD isolate (300 mg/day), broad-spectrum CBD oil, full spectrum CBD oil (300 mg/day), or placebo oil in reducing patient-rated symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. It is predicted that patients receiving and of the three active CBD oil formulations (pure isolate, broad-spectrum, or full spectrum CBD oil) will show significantly greater reduction in emotional distress and sleep disturbance relative to those receiving placebo oil. It is also predicted that broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD oil will outperform CBD isolate in reducing COVID-19 stress-induced symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, anger, and sleep disturbance.
  2. Examine predictors of patients' clinical response to the 4 treatments. It is expected that the superiority of broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD oil relative to CBD isolate or placebo will be more pronounced for patients showing more severe COVID-19 stress-induced symptoms at baseline.
  3. Examine the perceived acceptability and side effects profile of 4 weeks of daily CBD/Placebo oil ingestion. It is expected that each of the three CBD formulations (CBD isolate, Broad-spectrum or Full spectrum CBD oil) will show minimal side effects that will not exceed the level of side effects for those ingesting placebo oil with the possible exception of somnolence.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

200

Phase

  • Phase 2
  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

    • Texas
      • Austin, Texas, United States, 78712
        • University of Texas at Austin, Laboratory for the Study of Anxiety Disorders

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

  • Displays elevated symptom scores on one or more of the following established assessment instruments for depression (PROMIS-Depression), anxiety (PROMIS-Anxiety), Anger (PROMIS-Anger), sleep disturbance (PROMIS-Sleep); or Alcohol/Substance (PROMIS-Alcohol; PROMIS- Substance Use)
  • Age between 18 to 70;
  • Fluent in English;
  • Has home access to the Internet;
  • Willingness to provide signed informed consent;
  • Willingness to refrain from all non-study CBD products during the 6-week study period;
  • Willing to complete a brief pre-study 7-day online symptom monitoring log;
  • Currently residing in the United States

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

  • History of a suicide attempt within the past 6 months
  • Any medical problem that would preclude participating in the study including liver disease
  • Current use of warfarin or other prescribed blood thinners,
  • Currently taking seizure medications such as valproate, lamotrigine, or clobazam;
  • Currently taking thyroid medications such as levothyroxine;
  • Currently taking heart rhythm medications such as amiodarone;
  • Currently taking anti-hypertension medications;
  • Pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the next 6 weeks.
  • History of adverse reaction to CBD oil or other CBD products.
  • Allergic to coconut oil.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: CBD-Isolate 300 mg.
Nightly oral administration of 300 mg. of CBD-Isolate for 28 consecutive days
300 mg. daily dose of CBD Isolate Oil
Other Names:
  • Pure CBD oil
Active Comparator: Full-Spectrum CBD Oil 300 mg.
Nightly oral administration of 300 mg. of Full Spectrum CBD Oil for 28 consecutive days
300 mg. daily dose of CBD with full spectrum of other cannabinoids found in the hemp plant
Active Comparator: Broad-Spectrum CBD oil 300 mg.
Nightly oral administration of 300 mg. of Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil for 28 consecutive days
300 mg. daily dose of CBD with a selected spectrum of other cannabinoids found in the hemp plant
Placebo Comparator: Placebo Oil
Nightly oral administration of 300 mg. of Placebo Oil for 28 consecutive days
MCT Oil with mint flavoring

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
PROMIS Emotional Distress Index
Time Frame: Week 0-Baseline
This measure is a 43-item patient-rated emotional distress symptom scale consisting of 6 sub-factors (Depression, Anxiety, Anger, Alcohol Use, Substance Use, and Sleep Disturbance). Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale.
Week 0-Baseline
PROMIS Emotional Distress Index
Time Frame: Week 1-Treatment
This measure is a 43-item patient-rated emotional distress symptom scale consisting of 6 sub-factors (Depression, Anxiety, Anger, Alcohol Use, Substance Use, and Sleep Disturbance). Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale.
Week 1-Treatment
PROMIS Emotional Distress Index
Time Frame: Week 2-Treatment
This measure is a 43-item patient-rated emotional distress symptom scale consisting of 6 sub-factors (Depression, Anxiety, Anger, Alcohol Use, Substance Use, and Sleep Disturbance). Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale.
Week 2-Treatment
PROMIS Emotional Distress Index
Time Frame: Week 3-Treatment
This measure is a 43-item patient-rated emotional distress symptom scale consisting of 6 sub-factors (Depression, Anxiety, Anger, Alcohol Use, Substance Use, and Sleep Disturbance). Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale.
Week 3-Treatment
PROMIS Emotional Distress Index
Time Frame: Week 4-Treatment
This measure is a 43-item patient-rated emotional distress symptom scale consisting of 6 sub-factors (Depression, Anxiety, Anger, Alcohol Use, Substance Use, and Sleep Disturbance). Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale.
Week 4-Treatment
PROMIS Emotional Distress Index
Time Frame: Week 5-Follow-up
This measure is a 43-item patient-rated emotional distress symptom scale consisting of 6 sub-factors (Depression, Anxiety, Anger, Alcohol Use, Substance Use, and Sleep Disturbance). Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale.
Week 5-Follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
PROMIS Depression Scale
Time Frame: Week 0-Baseline
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated depression symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 0-Baseline
PROMIS Depression Scale
Time Frame: Week 1-Treatment
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated depression symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 1-Treatment
PROMIS Depression Scale
Time Frame: Week 2-Treatment
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated depression symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 2-Treatment
PROMIS Depression Scale
Time Frame: Week 3-Treatment
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated depression symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 3-Treatment
PROMIS Depression Scale
Time Frame: Week 4-Treatment
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated depression symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 4-Treatment
PROMIS Depression Scale
Time Frame: Week 5-Follow-up
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated depression symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 5-Follow-up
PROMIS Anxiety Scale
Time Frame: Week 0- Baseline
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated anxiety symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 0- Baseline
PROMIS Anxiety Scale
Time Frame: Week 1-Treatment
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated anxiety symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 1-Treatment
PROMIS Anxiety Scale
Time Frame: Week 2-Treatment
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated anxiety symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 2-Treatment
PROMIS Anxiety Scale
Time Frame: Week 3-Treatment
This measure is a 7-item patient-rated anxiety symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 3-Treatment
PROMIS Anxiety Scale
Time Frame: Week 4-Treatment
This measure is a 7-item patient-rated anxiety symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 4-Treatment
PROMIS Anxiety Scale
Time Frame: Week 5-Follow-up
This measure is a 7-item patient-rated anxiety symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 5-Follow-up
PROMIS Anger Scale
Time Frame: Week 0- Baseline
This measure is a 5-item patient-rated anger symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 0- Baseline
PROMIS Anger Scale
Time Frame: Week 1- Treatment
This measure is a 5-item patient-rated anger symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 1- Treatment
PROMIS Anger Scale
Time Frame: Week 2- Treatment
This measure is a 5-item patient-rated anger symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 2- Treatment
PROMIS Anger Scale
Time Frame: Week 3- Treatment
This measure is a 5-item patient-rated anger symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 3- Treatment
PROMIS Anger Scale
Time Frame: Week 4- Treatment
This measure is a 5-item patient-rated anger symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 4- Treatment
PROMIS Anger Scale
Time Frame: Week 5- Follow-up
This measure is a 5-item patient-rated anger symptom scale. Each symptom is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 5- Follow-up
PROMIS Alcohol Negative Consequences Scale
Time Frame: Week 0- Baseline
This measure is a 7-item patient-rated index of alcohol-related problems. Each item is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 0- Baseline
PROMIS Alcohol Negative Consequences Scale
Time Frame: Week 1- Treatment
This measure is a 7-item patient-rated index of alcohol-related problems. Each item is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 1- Treatment
PROMIS Alcohol Negative Consequences Scale
Time Frame: Week 2- Treatment
This measure is a 7-item patient-rated index of alcohol-related problems. Each item is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 2- Treatment
PROMIS Alcohol Negative Consequences Scale
Time Frame: Week 3- Treatment
This measure is a 7-item patient-rated index of alcohol-related problems. Each item is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 3- Treatment
PROMIS Alcohol Negative Consequences Scale
Time Frame: Week 4- Treatment
This measure is a 7-item patient-rated index of alcohol-related problems. Each item is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 4- Treatment
PROMIS Alcohol Negative Consequences Scale
Time Frame: Week 5- Follow-up
This measure is a 7-item patient-rated index of alcohol-related problems. Each item is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
Week 5- Follow-up
PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Scale
Time Frame: Week 0- Baseline
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated index of sleep disturbance. Each item is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Very Much).
Week 0- Baseline
PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Scale
Time Frame: Week 1- Treatment
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated index of sleep disturbance. Each item is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Very Much).
Week 1- Treatment
PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Scale
Time Frame: Week 2- Treatment
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated index of sleep disturbance. Each item is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Very Much).
Week 2- Treatment
PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Scale
Time Frame: Week 3- Treatment
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated index of sleep disturbance. Each item is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Very Much).
Week 3- Treatment
PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Scale
Time Frame: Week 4- Treatment
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated index of sleep disturbance. Each item is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Very Much).
Week 4- Treatment
PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Scale
Time Frame: Week 5- Follow-up
This measure is an 8-item patient-rated index of sleep disturbance. Each item is rated over a 7-day period on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Very Much).
Week 5- Follow-up
COVID-19 Coping Self-Efficacy
Time Frame: Week 0- Baseline
This measure is a 15-item author-constructed patient-rated index of COVID-19 Coping Self-Efficacy
Week 0- Baseline
COVID-19 Coping Self-Efficacy
Time Frame: Week 1- Treatment
This measure is a 15-item author-constructed patient-rated index of COVID-19 Coping Self-Efficacy
Week 1- Treatment
COVID-19 Coping Self-Efficacy
Time Frame: Week 2- Treatment
This measure is a 15-item author-constructed patient-rated index of COVID-19 Coping Self-Efficacy
Week 2- Treatment
COVID-19 Coping Self-Efficacy
Time Frame: Week 3- Treatment
This measure is a 15-item author-constructed patient-rated index of COVID-19 Coping Self-Efficacy
Week 3- Treatment
COVID-19 Coping Self-Efficacy
Time Frame: Week 4- Treatment
This measure is a 15-item author-constructed patient-rated index of COVID-19 Coping Self-Efficacy
Week 4- Treatment
COVID-19 Coping Self-Efficacy
Time Frame: Week 5- Follow-up
This measure is a 15-item author-constructed patient-rated index of COVID-19 Coping Self-Efficacy
Week 5- Follow-up
Sheehan Disability Scale
Time Frame: Week 0- Baseline
This measure is a 3-item patient-rated index of level of functional impairment.
Week 0- Baseline
Sheehan Disability Scale
Time Frame: Week 5- Follow-up
This measure is a 3-item patient-rated index of level of functional impairment.
Week 5- Follow-up

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Michael J Telch, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

December 4, 2020

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2023

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 3, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 23, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

October 27, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

November 22, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 17, 2023

Last Verified

November 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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