NCT01335789

Effect of Oxytocin on Stress in Marijuana Users

Effect of Oxytocin on Stress Response in Marijuana-dependent Individuals

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 16 (actual)
• Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how people who frequently use marijuana respond to a stressful task, and if a medication (oxytocin) affects this response.

Detailed description

Stress is commonly associated with drug craving and relapse in substance-dependent individuals. Several studies indicate that hypothalamic neuropeptides may mediate behavioral response to stress. For example, preclinical and clinical investigations have indicated that the neuropeptide oxytocin exerts anxiolytic effects in stress paradigms. Several studies have indicated that oxytocin promotes trust, social bonding, and calmness; however, little is known about the potential anxiolytic affects of oxytocin in marijuana-dependent individuals. A preclinical study investigating the effects and mechanism of lithium on cannabinoid withdrawal in rats had positive findings, with increasing oxytocin levels hypothesized to moderate this effect (Cui et al, 2001). Given the anxiolytic nature of oxytocin, it may have a therapeutic role in ameliorating the negative affect commonly observed prior to relapse in marijuana-dependent individuals, as well as the anxiety associated with marijuana withdrawal. This pilot protocol will provide important preliminary data on the effect of oxytocin on stress in marijuana-dependent individuals.

Conditions

• Marijuana Dependence

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Oxytocin	40 IUs
DRUG	Saline	40 IUs

Timeline

• Start date: 2011-03-01
• Primary completion: 2012-07-01
• Completion: 2012-07-01
• First posted: 2011-04-14
• Last updated: 2015-12-14
• Results posted: 2014-08-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States