Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06471647

Effects of Drugs on Stress Memories

There is evidence that cannabinoids, including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), reduce responses to acute stress and fear-related stimuli, but few studies have examined the effects of THC on memories of stressful experiences. The researchers hypothesize that THC will attenuate behavioral and physiological responses to negative valence stimuli, including memories of aversive experiences.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Stress

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Early Phase 1

Primary location

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States

About this study

The current study will use a between subject, randomized, placebo-controlled design to assess the effects of low doses of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on stress memories. Healthy male and female participants (N=48) will be randomly assigned to one of the three drug conditions (5 mg THC [n=16], 10 mg THC [n=16], or placebo [n=16]). Each subject will participate in 3 sessions. In the first session, they will undergo the TSST procedure. Researchers will obtain ratings of subjective distress, heart rate variability, and cortisol levels to assess response to the stressor for each individual. On the second session, one week later, participants will receive either THC or placebo and they will then be presented with TSST-related cues during a stress-memory retrieval session.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 18-35 y/o
  • BMI 19-29 kg/m2
  • some prior experience with cannabis (used at least 4 times, no adverse experiences, and current use no more than once a week)

Exclusion criteria

  • Current severe substance use disorder
  • history of psychosis or mania
  • Lack of English fluency
  • Current DSM IV Axis I disorder
  • Abnormal EKG
  • Daily use of medications outside of contraception,
  • Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant

Treatment and study plan

delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (5)

Drug

5 mg of THC

Placebo

Drug

Placebo - dextrose

delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (10)

Drug

10 mg of THC

Primary outcomes

  1. Emotional Responses After Stress Memory Cues Compared to Control Cues After Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (5 mg, 10 mg) vs. Placebo

    Time frame: 20 seconds after each cue presentation during the task

    Using a visual analog scale participants will rate feelings of 'distress' 'arousal' and 'valence'. Scores range from 0-100 with higher scores indicating greater responses on particular items

  2. Mean Physiological Responses After Stress Memory Cue Presentation Compared to Control Cues

    Time frame: difference between values during 20 seconds of task cue presentations

    Researchers will assess changes in cardiac output (pre-ejection period) after presentation of cues. This will be measured in milliseconds. Lower values indicate greater sympathetic activation.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Mean Emotional Responses One Week Later During Non-drug Retrieval Session

    Time frame: 1 week after the first exposure they will complete the memory task again. The timeframe for assessing mean emotional responses will be at baseline (5 minutes pre-memory task) and 20 seconds after each cue presentation

    Using a visual analog scale from 0-100 participants will rate feelings of 'distress' 'arousal' and 'valence' in a non-drug state. Scores range from 0-100 with higher scores indicating greater responses on particular items

  2. Mean Negative Facial Emotion Expressions During Cue Presentation After THC (5 and 10 mg) vs Placebo

    Time frame: During 20 seconds cue presentation

    Using facial expression model, researchers will assess changes in the intensity (0-1) of negative facial emotions during presentation of memory cues, comparing control vs. stress memory cues. higher values indicate greater intensity.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Chicago

Other

Registry information

Acronym: ETS

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 24, 2024
Registry last updated
Jul 9, 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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.