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NCT Number: NCT07069478

Cannabidiol (CBD) and Stress Response: Psychobiological Mechanisms

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.

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Key information

Conditions

CBD Acute Stress Reaction Cannabidiol Mental Disorders Stress Stress Disorders, Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

21 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Stress and Resilience Research Labs

CONTACT

[email protected]

218-726-8623

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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.

Exclusion criteria

  • 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

Treatment and study plan

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in subjective states (stress, anxiety, positive affect)

    Time frame: 2.5 hours

    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. Change in cardiovascular activity and cortisol

    Time frame: 2.5 hours

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

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Stress and Resilience Research Labs

CONTACT

[email protected]

2187268623

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Minnesota

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2028
First posted
Jul 16, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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