Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on the Brain (CBD)

August 15, 2023 updated by: Jennifer L. Robinson, Ph.D., Auburn University
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid that is one of 113 identified cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. It is derived from the hemp plant, and may treat conditions like pain, insomnia, and anxiety. CBD is a critical component of medical marijuana and does not cause the "high" typically associated with cannabis. According to the World Health Organization, CBD has shown no evidence of abuse or dependence potential. However, to the investigator's knowledge, there have not been many acute clinical studies to characterize the effects of CBD in the brain. Despite the rapid influx in CBD readily available to the public, very little is known about such effects. Some studies have shown alterations in resting state connectivity, while others have described changes in specific regions of the brain, or in networks associated with various cognitive functions. For example, CBD has been shown to increase fronto-striatal connectivity and reduce mediotemporal-prefrontal connectivity, suggesting that CBD may affect brain regions involved in salience processing. Unfortunately, few studies have examined CBD in isolation. Additionally, several studies have suggested that CBD may have a neuroprotective effect when it comes to individuals at high risk for psychiatric conditions. In this study, the investigators propose an acute administration, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 100% THC-free CBD will be compared to placebo (https://foliumbiosciences.com/). To the investigator's knowledge, the acute effects of this specific product have not been tested. Specifically, the investigators will examine: 1) the neurometabolic and neurophysiological effects of CBD compared to placebo and 2) the behavioral effects of CBD on measures of working memory and response inhibition. Participants will be recruited to take encapsulated, THC-free CBD provided by Folium Biosciences, in which they will have a pre- and post-ingestion scan. Each participant will have a 72-hour washout period after which they will be asked to come back for a placebo scan (however, the order will be counterbalanced so that equal numbers of participants will receive placebo/supplement and supplement/placebo). Individuals will be randomized into the supplementation group, as well as the order.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

15

Phase

  • Not Applicable

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

  • United States
    • Alabama
      • Auburn, Alabama, United States, 36849
        • Auburn University MRI Research Center

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

19 years to 48 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. right-handed
  2. between 21-50 years of age
  3. no current diagnosis of psychiatric or neurological conditions
  4. no history of heart disease or stroke
  5. generally healthy
  6. pass a screening test for the MR environment

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. contraindications to the MR environment
  2. use of psychotropic or neurological medication
  3. history of heart disease or stroke
  4. diabetes or other metabolic conditions
  5. self-reported high blood pressure
  6. history of concussions
  7. any diagnosed psychiatric or neurological condition
  8. have consumed alcohol in the 24-hour period prior to a scan
  9. consumed pain relievers in the 12-hours prior to a scan
  10. consumed food or drinks (except water) and/or nicotine/caffeine an hour prior to any scanning
  11. have used or take THC/CBD
  12. exercised within an hour of a scan

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: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Cannabidiol (CBD)
A tincture containing 125mg broad spectrum CBD oil (6.7%), 24mg sunflower lecithin (1.3%), 56mg peppermint oil (3.0%), and 1661mg hempseed oil (89.0%) will be administered orally. Participants will place the liquid in their mouth for 45 seconds before swallowing it.
Drug: Cannabidiol
Administered orally. Participants will place the liquid in their mouth for 45 seconds before swallowing it.
Other Names:
  • CBD
Drug: Placebo
Administered orally. Participants will place the liquid in their mouth for 45 seconds before swallowing it.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
A tincture containing 149mg sunflower lecithin (8.0%), 56mg peppermint oil (3.0%), 1661mg hempseed oil (89.0%) will be administered orally. Participants will place the liquid in their mouth for 45 seconds before swallowing it.
Drug: Cannabidiol
Administered orally. Participants will place the liquid in their mouth for 45 seconds before swallowing it.
Other Names:
  • CBD
Drug: Placebo
Administered orally. Participants will place the liquid in their mouth for 45 seconds before swallowing it.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Behavioral Measures - Change in Go/NoGo Reaction Time
Time Frame: Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Response/reaction time for each stimuli will be recorded in ms using E-Prime. Reaction times will be calculated for correct and incorrect trials separately.
Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Behavioral Measures - Change in N-back Reaction Time
Time Frame: Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Response/reaction time for each stimuli will be recorded in ms using E-Prime. Reaction times will be calculated for correct and incorrect trials separately; and for each level of n-back, separately.
Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Behavioral Measures - Change in Go/No-Go Accuracy
Time Frame: Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Accuracy will be determined as the number of trials correct, and errors will be classified as errors of omission or commission.
Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Behavioral Measures - Change in N-back Accuracy
Time Frame: Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Accuracy will be determined as the number of trials correct.
Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Change in Concentration of Neurometabolites
Time Frame: Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) measurements pre/post ingestion. The following are measured: glutamate, glutamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, N-acetylaspartate, choline, creatine, glutathione, myo-inositol, aspartate, taurine, and lactate. LCModel software performed automatic quantification of in vivo proton MR spectra by analyzing spectra as a linear combination of model spectra from sequence-specific simulations. Water-suppressed spectra were eddy current corrected and quantified using the unsuppressed water signal. Cramer-Rao lower bounds were used as a measure of fit with CRLB > 50% rejected from further analysis. Metabolite concentrations were CSF-corrected, and quantified (in ppm).
Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Changes in Functional Connectivity
Time Frame: Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal changes will be collected via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We will assess pre- and post-drug/placebo connectivity changes across the whole-brain using standard preprocessing procedure (fmriprep) and the 'conn' connectivity toolbox.
Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) Changes
Time Frame: Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Functional magnetic resonance imaging blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal changes across tasks, and during resting state
Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
BOLD - Change in Threat Response to Subliminal Emotion Stimuli
Time Frame: Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)
Responses to emotional face stimuli will be measured as a function of blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal change during emotion versus neutral condition in predefined regions of interest including the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and superior temporal sulcus.
Collected pre-drug, post-drug, pre-placebo, and post-placebo; through study completion (4 time points over a 72 hour period)

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Auburn University

Collaborators

Folium Biosciences
FutureCeuticals

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Jennifer L Robinson, Ph.D., Auburn University

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)

July 15, 2021

Primary Completion (Actual)

May 15, 2022

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 1, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 1, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

April 5, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 16, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 15, 2023

Last Verified

August 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 20-107 MR 2003

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

IPD Plan Description

Our consent form does include an optional item for participants to indicate whether or not they would be agreeable to their data being shared.

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.

Clinical Trials on Fear

Clinical Trials on Cannabidiol

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Macedonia

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

3
Subscribe