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Cannabinoids and Biological Reactivity to Stress

This study is looking at how stress affects the desire to use cannabis in people with Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). Researchers want to understand how different types of stress impact motivation to use cannabis and the body's natural cannabinoids. You might be eligible if you are 18-50 years old, have moderate to severe CUD, use cannabis almost daily, and have a positive THC urine test. The study will compare a placebo (an inactive substance) to two drugs, hydrocortisone oral and yohimbine hydrochloride, both alone and together. The main goals are to measure your brain's response to cannabis cues, how much you desire cannabis, and how much money you'd spend on it. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status and plans to enroll 36 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study with an unclear status, planning to enroll 36 participants. It compares different drug combinations to a placebo.
What's involved
You will complete a screening interview, a medical screening, and then visit the lab four times. During each lab visit, you will take one of four drug combinations.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary outcomes are measured at each of the four lab visits, which take place over a period of 10-22 days.

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

NCT06430580

Cannabinoids and Biological Reactivity to Stress

Completed
EARLY_PHASE1Ages 18–50InterventionalBasic science
Florida State University
~38 participants
Updated 2026-08-20 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Hydrocortisone OralYohimbine HydrochlorideCornstarch Placebo 20mgCornstarch Placebo 54mg

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Amplitude of neurophysiological response to cannabis cues (μV)
Measured over Late positive potential amplitude outcome is assessed at each of the four lab visits, which take place over the study period (10-22 days)
+6 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Cannabis Use Disorder

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Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Florida1

Study leadership

  • Richard J Macatee, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Florida State University

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Meets criteria for current, moderate to severe Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) as assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) during the screening interview.
Reports engagement in near-daily/daily cannabis use.
Provide a urine sample positive for THC.
Must be in generally good health as determined by a physical exam, EKG, and blood tests
Must be adequately informed of the nature and risks of the study and given written informed consent prior to screening.
Able to read and write in English.

Exclusion

Has a history of serious psychiatric problems (i.e., psychosis, Bipolar Disorder I) or meets criteria for a current Major Depressive Episode, as assessed by the SCID-V-RV.
Reports current suicidal ideation.
Meets DSM-5 criteria for any other current, moderate to severe substance use disorder (other than CUD or Tobacco Use Disorder
Has a positive result urine drug screen for all other drugs aside from THC (i.e., amphetamine, methamphetamine, benzodiazepine, cocaine, MDMA, morphine, oxycodone, methadone, buprenorphine) at screening or at any lab visit.
Has structural brain abnormalities (e.g., neoplasms), stroke, seizures, infectious disease, a history of other neurological diseases, or a history of head trauma resulting in unconsciousness.
Has a history of cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, chest pain, or palpitations on exertion or drug use, edema, hypertension, resting heart rate \<50 BPM or \>100 BPM. Cardiovascular diseases include:
Demonstrates systolic BP outside of acceptable range (80-140mmHG), or diastolic BP outside of acceptable range (50-90 mmHG)
Has a history of cor pulmonale, dyspnea, orthopnea, tachypnea (\>24 breaths per minute), or uncontrolled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma.
Currently taking any daily psychotropic medication
Currently taking any of the following medications:
Reproductively capable candidates who are pregnant (based on urine test at screening or at any lab visit) or are heterosexually active and not using medically approved birth control measures (oral contraceptives, IUD, condom, sterilization).
Self-reports currently seeking or engaging in CUD treatment or any other alcohol or drug treatment.
Self-reports intent to imminently quit cannabis use.
Has a Blood-Injection-Injury Phobia, as determined by scores greater than 15 on the Injection and Blood Draw subscale of the Medical Fear Survey

What this trial measures

  • Amplitude of neurophysiological response to cannabis cues (μV)Late positive potential amplitude outcome is assessed at each of the four lab visits, which take place over the study period (10-22 days)

    Change in electroencephalography-recorded (EEG) late positive potential amplitude to cannabis cue images after hydrocortisone (with or without yohimbine) compared to placebo+placebo and yohimbine+placebo conditions (higher amplitudes indicate worse outcome)

  • Amplitude of Demand Intensity for Cannabis (# of hits at $0)Intensity is assessed at each of the four lab visits, which take place over the study period (10-22 days)

    Marijuana purchase task-derived Intensity after hydrocortisone administration (with or without yohimbine) compared to placebo+placebo and yohimbine+placebo (increased Intensity indicates worse outcome)

  • Peak Total Monetary Expenditure for Cannabis (total amount of money spent on hits)OMax is assessed at each of the four lab visits, which take place over the study period (10-22 days)

    Marijuana purchase task-derived OMax after hydrocortisone administration (with or without yohimbine) compared to placebo+placebo and yohimbine+placebo (increased OMax indicates worse outcome)

  • Breakpoint of Monetary Expenditure for Cannabis (price at which no hits are purchased)Breakpoint is assessed at each of the four lab visits, which take place over the study period (10-22 days)

    Marijuana purchase task-derived Breakpoint after hydrocortisone administration (with or without yohimbine) compared to placebo+placebo and yohimbine+placebo (increased Breakpoint indicates worse outcome)

  • Sensitivity of Cannabis Hit Purchasing Behavior to Price IncreasesElasticity is assessed at each of the four lab visits, which take place over the study period (10-22 days)

    Marijuana purchase task-derived Elasticity after hydrocortisone administration (with or without yohimbine) compared to placebo+placebo and yohimbine+placebo (decreased Elasticity indicates worse outcome)

  • Frequency of implicit cannabis image choiceImplicit choice task # of cannabis image selections outcome is assessed at each of the four lab visits, which take place over the study period (10-22 days)

    Change in cannabis image selections on the Implicit Image Choice Task (computerized behavioral task; range 0-30; higher scores indicate worse outcome) after hydrocortisone administration (with and without yohimbine) compared to placebo+placebo and yohimbine+placebo

  • Frequency of explicit cannabis image choiceExplicit choice task # of cannabis image selections outcome is assessed at each of the four lab visits, which take place over the study period (10-22 days)

    Change in cannabis image selections on the Explicit Image Choice Task (computerized behavioral task; range 0-30; higher scores indicate worse outcome) after hydrocortisone administration (with and without yohimbine) compared to placebo+placebo and yohimbine+placebo