Cannabis clinical trials at University of California Health
14 in progress, 9 open to eligible people
Tobacco, E-Cigarette, and Cannabis Waste
open to eligible people ages 18-25
This study tests of effect of brief education and support about tobacco, e-cigarette, and cannabis waste (TECW) on knowledge, beliefs, behavior, and TECW on two college campuses.
at UC Davis
Brain Mechanisms Supporting Cannabis-induced Pain Relief
open to eligible people ages 21-65
The American Academy of Pain Medicine has labeled pain as a "silent epidemic" due to its staggering costs to society (over $500 billion/year) and widespread prevalence (affects over 100 million Americans). Thus, it is imperative to test and validate cost-effective pain therapies. To this extent, cannabis is characterized as one of the most promising therapies to treat a wide spectrum of pain conditions. However, the clinical applicability of cannabis-based pain therapies has been limited due to lacking mechanistic characterization in human-focused studies. Of critical importance, the neural mechanisms supporting cannabis induced pain relief remain unknown. The primary objective of the proposed pilot study is to identify the brain mechanisms supporting the direct alleviation of acutely evoked pain through vaporized cannabis.
at UCSD
Cannabis Effects as a Function of Sex (CanSex)
open to eligible people ages 21-55
The purpose of this research is to assess the impact of cannabis on the analgesic and abuse-related effects between men and women
at UCLA
Cannabis Effects on Antiretroviral Therapy Pharmacokinetics and Neurotoxicity
open to eligible people ages 18 years and up
This study will address whether cannabis affects antiretroviral therapy (ART) drug concentrations, mood, and thinking. The project will have two phases. Phase 1 is an observational study, in which 120 people will be assessed to evaluate the effects of chronic cannabis use on ART drug concentrations, mood, and thinking. In Phase 2, the study will administer cannabis (or placebo) to 40 people to examine its acute effects on ART drug concentrations.
at UCSD
Cannabis Use, Cognition, and the Endocannabinoid System in HIV
open to eligible people ages 18-65
Understanding how co-morbidities in persons with HIV (PWH) such as substance use affect risk-taking, decision-making, and other cognitive behaviors is important given implications for everyday functioning and transmission risk. The high prevalence of cannabis use in PWH, medicinally and recreationally, may indicate disease severity, impart therapeutic benefits, or adverse consequences. In fact, cannabis is recommended to those with HIV to alleviate nausea, improve appetite, relieve pain, and lift mood. To-date, the consequences of cannabis use in PWH remain unclear as do potential interactions with HIV treatments. In healthy participants, heavy cannabis use is associated with cognitive deficits e.g., risky decision-making, response disinhibition and inattention, but pro-cognitive effects in PWH may exist at mild use levels due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-excitotoxic properties. Furthermore, little has been done to determine the effects of cannabis use on the endocannabinoid (EC) system in general or in PWH. This study will determine the effects of the two primary cannabis constituents (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC], cannabidiol [CBD]) vs. placebo on risky decision-making, response inhibition, reward learning, temporal perception, and motivation, plus EC and homovanillic acid (HVA; a surrogate for dopamine activity) levels in HIV+ and HIV- subjects. Participants with infrequent cannabis use will undergo baseline cognitive testing and biomarker assays with antiretrovirals (ART) use quantified. They will be randomized to a 5-day course of either THC, CBD, or placebo and return for follow-up testing and re-assaying of ECs and HVA levels.
at UCSD
Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol on Microbiome and Neuroinflammation in HIV
open to eligible people ages 21-70
This study has the potential to contribute to a more complete understanding of the independent and combined effects of cannabis use and HIV on the brain and on inflammation. Such knowledge may inform future strategies for treating brain disease and inflammation. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups, both of which will receive the same treatment in a different order over a period of about 6 weeks. The visits include physical examinations, blood tests, and other procedures designed to monitor subject safety and measure the effects of the study drug.
at UCSD
N-Acetylcysteine for Smoking Cessation in Tobacco and Cannabis Co-Use
open to eligible people ages 18 years and up
Tobacco and cannabis co-use is a common and growing public health problem, especially in states that have legalized cannabis. There are no pharmacologic treatments for co-occurring tobacco and cannabis use. Co-use may make quitting either substance more difficult, given the synergistic effects of cannabis and nicotine on neurobiological systems that mediate reward and shared cues reinforcing co-use. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an FDA-approved medication and over-the-counter supplement, has shown promise in animal studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in reducing tobacco and cannabis craving and use.
at UCSF
Effects and Mechanisms of a High CBD Cannabis Extract (BRC-002) for the Treatment of Pain and Health in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
open to eligible people ages 21-75
The aim of this trial is to determine the potential effects and mechanisms of cannabinoid-induced pain relief in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Multiple psychophysical approaches will be conducted in conjunction with psychological and inflammatory marker testing to determine if and how cannabinoids produce stabilized improvement in CRPS-related pain and comorbidities. The trial consisted of a pre-treatment screening period, six-week treatment period and a two-week follow-up.
at UCSD
MARY-JANE Cannabis and Heart Rhythm Trial
open to eligible people ages 21 years and up
Despite recreational cannabis now being legal in 23 states, where more than 100 million Americans reside, studies on the actual health effects are limited. This study is a randomized trial, where each participant will be instructed to consume or avoid cannabis on randomly assigned days during a 14-day monitoring period. The goal of this study is to answer the question: "Does cannabis use increase the frequency of 'early' and abnormal heart beats?" During the 14-day period, participants will wear an external heart monitor, a glucose monitor, and a fitness tracker to track heart rhythm, glucose levels, step counts, and sleep health. Participants will use a mobile app or a text messaging service for daily instructions/reminders on cannabis use, and short surveys. The investigators ask that participants smoke or vape cannabis at least once on days they are instructed to consume cannabis. Compelling evidence of heart and other health effects would be important to the clinical care of our patients.
at UCSF
Cannabis THC Potency, Metabolism, and Cognitive Impairment in Young Adults
Sorry, not yet accepting patients
The goal of this interventional study is to determine the impact of high potency THC product use on cognitive function of young adults aged 21-25. The main question it aims to answer is: will cannabis users who switch to less potent THC products demonstrate improved cognitive function compared to baseline? Other questions this study aims to answer include: - Can researchers accurately assess THC consumption among frequent cannabis users? - Can researchers effectively incentivize cannabis users to use less potent THC products? - Do genetic variations in THC metabolism impact urinary THC excretion? - Do genetic variations in THC metabolism impact cognitive performance in cannabis users? - Are quantitative urinary THC values predictive of cognitive impairment? - How can researchers use research findings to inform harm reduction practices for people who use cannabis? Participants will submit blood and urine samples and be incentivized to use less potent THC products.
at UCSF
Inhaled Cannabis for Acute Migraine Treatment
Sorry, currently not accepting new patients, but might later
This pilot crossover study will evaluate 3 different potencies of inhaled cannabis (2.5%, 5%, and 10%) and inhaled placebo cannabis for the acute treatment of migraine.
at UCSD
Measuring Environmental Tobacco and Cannabis: Pollutants and Exposures
Sorry, not yet accepting patients
This is an unblinded pilot study of an environmental exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke in one group of healthy nonsmokers.
at UCSF
Cannabis Derivatives in Neuropathic Pain
Sorry, not currently recruiting here
Chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) is disabling. Research on frontline treatments for CNP, shows inconsistent outcomes and dissatisfaction among Veterans. Veterans and clinicians have shown significant interest in cannabis derivatives (THC, CBD) for neuropathic pain control, but there are no well-controlled trials guiding expectations for benefit and adverse outcomes associated with cannabis for CNP. Because Veterans are likely to present with pain and pain-related polymorbidity significantly differing from that of civilians, a well-structured clinical trial of cannabinoids for Veterans with CNP is vital.
at UCSD
Clinical Pharmacology of Marijuana-Tobacco Co-administration
Sorry, not yet accepting patients
This is a crossover, randomized, double-blinded clinical pharmacology study enrolling dual cannabis-tobacco smokers to better understand the combined effects of co-administering cannabis and tobacco. The project aims to describe the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of marijuana-tobacco co-administration by delivering THC and nicotine in various combinations. This foundational study will establish a research program focused on elucidating the public health consequences of marijuana-tobacco co-use.
at UCSF
Our lead scientists for Cannabis research studies include Gideon St Helen Suzaynn F Schick Scott Letendre, MD Ronald J Ellis, MD, PhD Arpi Minassian, Ph.D. Veronika Mesheriakova, MD Nathaniel M Schuster, MD Ellen Herbst, MD Ziva Cooper Gregory M Marcus, MD, MAS.
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