Testing cannabidiol (CBD) as Harm Reduction for Alcohol Use Disorder
This study wants to find out if cannabidiol (CBD) may help adults with alcohol use disorder lower their alcohol use.
Why this Research Matters
Alcohol use disorder can affect physical health, mental health, and daily life. This study wants to learn if CBD may be an option for adults who want to lower how much alcohol they drink. This study may help guide future treatment for people with alcohol use disorder.
What to Expect
If you join, you will first complete a screening visit to see if the study is a good fit for you. At this visit, the study team will ask you about your health, alcohol use, and any medications you take. You will complete surveys and simple thinking tasks. The study team will check your height, weight, blood pressure, and heart rate. You may also have blood and urine tests, and a breath test to check alcohol levels. If you can join, you will be placed by chance into 1 of 3 groups. You may get CBD with a small amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD with no THC, or hemp seed oil with no CBD or THC. You can’t choose your group, and neither you nor the study team will know which group you are in. You will take the study medication during the study. You will have study visits. Some visits will be in person at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and others will be done from home. At these visits, you will complete surveys, answer questions about your alcohol use, and tell us how you are feeling. Some visits include blood draws, urine tests, and breath tests. The study team will also check for side effects and changes in your health. At the end of the study, you will complete a final follow-up visit online.
Study Duration
This study will last about 16 weeks from start to finish. The screening visit will be in person and last about 2 and a half hours. The study medication period lasts 12 weeks. Visits will last between 30 minutes to 1 and a half hours. You will have a final online follow-up visit 4 weeks later.
Who can Participate
You may be eligible to join this study if you are:
- At least 21 years old
- Want to reduce your alcohol use
- Drink at least 10 alcoholic drinks per week if you are a female, or 15 alcoholic drinks per week if you are a male.
- Are interested in a study looking at CBD as a possible treatment option
- Can attend in-person visits at CU Anschutz Medical Campus
- Are not pregnant
Study ID
Protocol Number: 22-1894
More information available at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05613608
Compensation Information
Meet the Team
Principal Investigator