NCT03274440

Effects of Marijuana on Symptoms of OCD

Effects of Marijuana on Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1 / Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 14 (actual)
• Sponsor: New York State Psychiatric Institute · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 21 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this pilot research study is to test whether certain components of the marijuana plant, known as "cannabinoids", may help to reduce symptoms in patients with OCD. Specifically, patients enrolled in the study will smoke marijuana containing different concentrations of 2 different cannabinoids, THC and CBD. Both of these agents act on the brain's "endocannabinoid system," which has been hypothesized to play a role in OCD. Neither compound is currently FDA-approved for treating OCD.

Detailed description

Prior research suggests that certain areas of the brain are receptive to chemicals like those found in the cannabis (marijuana) plant, known as cannabinoids, and that these regions may be involved in anxiety disorders and OCD. More recent data shows that synthetic drugs that target these systems may be helpful in conditions related to OCD like anxiety disorders and Tourette's syndrome. Thus, these substances could also possibly be useful to treat OCD symptoms. However, to date there has been little research regarding the role of cannabinoids in OCD. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of different cannabinoids on OCD symptoms in humans. To accomplish this in a laboratory setting, patients with OCD who are also occasional cannabis users will receive different combinations of two of the most well-studied cannabinoids, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the main psychoactive component in cannabis) and cannabidiol (CBD, another component of the cannabis plant). We will then measure acute effects on OCD symptoms, anxiety, intoxication, and cardiovascular outcomes (i.e. blood pressure and heart rate).

Conditions

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Cannabis	THC and CBD are "cannabinoids" which are found naturally in the marijuana plant. Both act on the brain's "endocannabinoid system," which has been hypothesized to play a role in OCD.
OTHER	Placebo	Placebo control group, not receiving THC or CBD.

Timeline

• Start date: 2017-10-01
• Primary completion: 2019-03-01
• Completion: 2020-10-29
• First posted: 2017-09-07
• Last updated: 2020-11-18
• Results posted: 2020-06-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated drug study