NCT04801641

A Pilot Trial of Nabilone for the Treatment of Obesity

Impact of Chronic Nabilone Self-administration on Body Weight, Metabolic Markers, Gut Microbiota, and Neural Circuitry in Human Obesity

• Status: Terminated
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 18 (actual)
• Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 25 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Obesity is a serious health problem which increases the likelihood of developing other life-changing medical conditions. Despite increasing knowledge about the neural and metabolic basis of obesity, the development of effective anti-obesity treatment strategies has been a challenge. Evidence shows an association between cannabis consumption and body weight. However, to date, no human trials have assessed the potential of cannabis-like compounds to reduce body weight in individuals who are obese. This pilot trial aims to determine the safety and feasibility of administering nabilone (a cannabinoid drug similar to the active component of cannabis) to patients who are obese. Our secondary aims are to determine if nabilone is effective in reducing weight in this population, and to probe potential mechanisms of the weight-loss-promoting effects of nabilone, such as neural reactivity to food stimuli, changes in gut bacteria, and changes in metabolic biomarkers.

Conditions

• Obesity

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Placebo	Six placebo capsules taken orally twice daily
DRUG	Nabilone	Titrated to two 0.5 mg capsules and four placebo capsules taken orally twice daily (Low-Dose) OR Titrated to six 0.5 mg capsules taken orally twice daily (High-Dose)

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-09-17
• Primary completion: 2023-08-14
• Completion: 2023-08-14
• First posted: 2021-03-17
• Last updated: 2026-04-09
• Results posted: 2026-04-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada