Age-Dependent Effects of Smoked and Oral Delta-9-THC

This study is looking at how smoked cannabis and oral delta-9-THC (Dronabinol) affect people differently depending on their age. Researchers want to understand how these substances impact things like pain relief (analgesia), how intoxicated someone feels, and any problems with thinking or coordination (impairment). You might be able to join if you are between 18 and 65 years old and use cannabis weekly to monthly, primarily by smoking it. The study will measure how you rate the drug's effects, your pain levels using a cold pressor test, and any impairment, all at 6 hours after taking the substance. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design: This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 103 participants. It is a placebo-controlled study, meaning some participants will receive inactive substances (placebos).
What's involved: The study will measure drug effects, pain, and impairment at 6 hours after you receive a substance. This is an outpatient study.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: The primary measurements for this study are taken at 6 hours after receiving the intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

Age-dependent Effects of Smoked and Oral Delta-9-THC

Recruiting

PHASE1Ages 18–65InterventionalBasic science

University of California, Los Angeles

~103 participants

Updated 2026-01-07 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:CannabisDronabinolSmoked PlaceboOral Placebo

At a glance

Recruiting sites

1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Subject-rated drug effects

Measured over 6 hours

+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Pain

Abuse, Drug

Intoxication; Cannabinoids

NCT05865470

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids
Los Angeles, Californiastudy coordinator listed
Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

Ziva Cooper, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, Los Angeles

Who to contact

Ziva D Cooper, PhD

[email protected]

310-983-3417

Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Male or non-pregnant female aged 18-65 years according to the below criteria: EMERGING ADULTS: 18-25 years of age (+/- one year) MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS: 35-45 years of age (+/- one year) LATE MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS: 55-65 years of age (+/- one year)

Report weekly-monthly use of cannabis (with primary mode of use via inhalation) over the past 6 months prior to screening

Not currently seeking treatment for their cannabis use

No reported clinically significant adverse effects with cannabis use

Have a Body Mass Index from 18.5 - 34kg/m2

Able to perform all study procedures

FEMALES: Currently practicing an effective form of birth control if pre-menopausal

Exclusion

Meeting DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5) criteria for any substance use disorder other than nicotine and mild cannabis use disorder

Report using other illicit drugs in the prior 4 weeks

Evidence of severe psychiatric illness (e.g. mood disorder with functional impairment or suicide risk, schizophrenia) or medical condition (i.e., hypertension) judged by the study physician (and PI to put the participant at greater risk of experiencing adverse events due to completion of study procedures, interfere with their ability to participate in the study, or their capacity to provide informed consent.

Current predominant licit use of medical cannabis

Current use of prescription or regular use of over the counter medications (with the exception of hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy). Current use of herbal supplements that may affect study outcomes or interact with study drug (i.e., St Johns wort, kava, L-tryptophan, melatonin)

If medical history, physical and psychiatric examination, or laboratory tests performed during the screening process are not within the normal range and / or reveal any significant illness (e.g., hypertension) as judged by the study physician and to put the participant at greater risk of experiencing adverse events due to completion of study procedures

Current pain

Pregnancy is exclusionary due to the possible effects of the study medication on fetal development

History of an allergic reaction or adverse reaction to cannabis is exclusionary.

Currently enrolled in another research protocol

Not using a contraceptive method (hormonal or barrier methods)

The evaluating physician reviews all medical assessments along with medical history. Any disorders that might make cannabis administration hazardous are exclusionary.

Intolerance to lactose and sesame (ingredients in the oral THC preparation)

Insensitivity to the Cold Pressor Test

What this trial measures

Subject-rated drug effects6 hours
Average and peak subjective ratings of drug effects associated with abuse liability and intoxication as measured using visual analogue scales (VAS; 1-100mm).
Analgesia as measured using the Cold Pressor Test6 hours
Peak and average pain threshold and tolerance assessed using the Cold Pressor Test
Impairment6 hours
The primary outcome measure for performance will be the peak difference from baseline scores of the Global Impairment Score
Pharmacokinetics of THC and metabolites6 hours
Plasma levels of THC, 11-OH-THC, and THCCOOH

Trialytics