Assessing the Impact of Cannabidiol for Anxiety and Depression in Bipolar Disorder

This investigation will be the first of its kind to conduct a clinical trial of an industrial hemp-derived high-CBD product in individuals with bipolar disorder who experience anxiety. Despite the recent interest in medical cannabis and cannabinoid-based products, the availability of hemp-derived products in all 50 states, and preliminary and anecdotal evidence suggesting that hemp-derived products may have a profound anxiolytic effect, along with potential antidepressant effects, no studies have conducted a clinical trial of a hemp-derived product in individuals with bipolar disorder who suffer from anxiety.

This investigation consists of a four-week open-label clinical trial of the custom formulated hemp-derived high-CBD solution. Participants will be pre-screened by phone in order to evaluate their eligibility for the study. If approved, potentially eligible participants will come to the hospital for a screening visit, and will complete a structured clinical interview, clinical and quality of life questionnaires, a urine screen, and a blood draw. Eligible participants will return for a baseline visit consisting of additional clinical and quality of life questionnaires, a brief cognitive assessment, and a buccal swab for genetic analysis. Participants will be given study product to use for the duration of the study, and will be instructed to self-administer the solution under the tongue twice daily for four weeks. Throughout the treatment period, participants will complete short in-person or remote visits on a weekly basis, where they will complete questionnaires about their mood and quality of life. Participants will also return to the hospital for a final visit after four weeks of treatment to complete additional questionnaires and cognitive assessments.

Inclusion criteria

• Provides informed consent
• Between the ages of 18-65
• Fluent in English
• Meets DSM-5 criteria for bipolar disorder (type I or II)
• Experiences at least moderate levels of anxiety (as evidenced by self-reported rating scales)
• On a stable pharmacotherapeutic regimen

Exclusion criteria

• Not fluent in English
• Estimated IQ <75
• Current substance use disorder, current eating disorder, current or past psychotic disorder (e.g. schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder)
• Endorsement of suicidality
• Experiencing acute manic episode
• Experiencing acute depressive episode
• History of head injury/loss of consciousness >5 minutes
• Current regular use of cannabinoid products
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Presence of serious medical illness or neurological disorder
• Allergy to palm oil
• Current use of valproate or divalproex; other concomitant medications may result in exclusion on a case-by-case basis
• Currently enrolled in another clinical trial that involves a treatment
• Elevated LFTs at screening visit