Cannabidiol (CBD) and Stress Response: Psychobiological Mechanisms

NCT07069478 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: DMED-2025-33636
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 125
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of regular cannabidiol (CBD) use on the psychobiological mechanisms of the stress response. This will be achieved by comparing acute stress responses of adults who either use or do not use CBD regularly. Correlates of CBD use, including tobacco use, will be collected.

Conditions

CBD; Cannabidiol; Stress; Acute Stress Reaction

Keywords

cardiovascular reactivity, , , ,; hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; stress; mood; CBD use

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in subjective states (stress, anxiety, positive affect)

  Participants will self-report the extent to which they have felt stressed, overwhelmed, anxious/nervous, cheerful, and happy during the last 30 minutes before acute stress, immediately after acute stress, and after a recovery period. The Subjective States Questionnaire will be used to score responses. The minimum values are 0 (not at all) and the maximum values are 7 (very strongly). Higher scores mean more stress, more anxiety, and more positive affect.

  2.5 hours

• Change in cardiovascular activity and cortisol

  Saliva will be collected (for later cortisol assays) and cardiovascular activity will be measured before, during, and after acute stress.

  2.5 hours

Study Arms (1)

Experimental group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will include CBD users and non users

Other: Stress Intervention

Interventions

Stress Intervention OTHER

Experimental Stress: Behavioral induction of acute psychosocial and physiological stress. First, participants will be provided with a speech topic and given 4 minutes to prepare a speech that they subsequently deliver in front of evaluators and a video recorder. Then, participants will complete a mental arithmetic task in front of the evaluators for 8 minutes. Then, participants will complete a cold pressor task in which they submerge their hand in ice water for 90 seconds.

Experimental group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adults who are relatively healthy and aged 21-70 years.
• Must keep a normal sleep schedule (sleep during nighttime, awake during daytime).
• Must either (1) use CBD daily/regularly or (2) not use CBD regularly.

You may not qualify if:

• Participated in previous acute stress studies that included a similar stress induction.
• Current, unstable: major psychiatric disorder or medical condition (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension above 160/100).
• Self-reported current pregnancy.
• Self-reported current use of illicit substances (other than cannabis).
• Non-compliance with instructions for study visit (abstinence from alcohol, caffeine, physical activity, etc.)
• Students of the principal researcher

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Minnesota: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute

Interventions

Crisis Intervention

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• Mustafa al'Absi

  University of Minnesota

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Stress and Resilience Research Labs

CONTACT

2187268623; umdbml@d.umn.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Single group assignment; all participants experience baseline rest, acute stress tasks, and recovery rest.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 28, 2025
• First Posted: July 16, 2025
• Study Start: June 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Last Updated: July 16, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Locations

US (1)