Naturally Produced Cannabinoids for Neuroprotection From Concussion

This research project will be a Phase II clinical trial to test the neuroprotective properties of the broad spectrum cannabinoid formulation. Specifically, the investigators will assess the neuroprotective properties of the cannabinoid formulation during a competitive season of contact football or ice hockey in elite university varsity athletics.

The primary research hypothesis is that the cannabinoid formulation will be neuroprotective for athletes in a competitive university varsity football or hockey season and will help to reduce the number of concussions sustained by the athletes in comparison to previous seasons, and in comparison, to the Placebo group. Furthermore, it is expected that the cannabinoid formulation will facilitate recovery in those who do suffer from a concussion by reducing inflammation.

The secondary hypotheses are:

• The cannabinoid formulation will result in improved physiological and psychological performance throughout the competitive season compared to placebo.
• The inflammatory markers will be reduced in those taking the cannabinoid formulation as compared to those taking placebo.

This research study is unique and important for several reasons:

• The investigators will conduct the first ever randomized controlled trial to understand the neuroprotective effects of a cannabinoid formulation designed to mitigate concussion in a population at a heightened risk of concussion and understand if recovery with the cannabinoid formulation more rapidly improves concussion symptoms.
• The investigators will use an integrated approach to examine the effects of our cannabinoid formulation on qualitative and quantitative outcome measures including clinical, physiological, neurophysiological, biopsychological, and functional motor performance.
• The cannabinoid levels will be studied in the blood to assess the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these compounds and correlate these with our cerebrovascular, cardiovascular and neurophysiological indices.
• The investigators will genotype participant blood samples for known polymorphisms (single nucleotide polymorphisms, copy number variants, etc.) and relate our findings to observed drug effect in study participants.
• The investigators will investigate the effects of the cannabinoid formulation on the gut microbiome from stool samples, which has been implicated to have an effect on concussion.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy male adults between 19-35 years of age that compete in contact sport athletics.
• Participants with no known cerebrovascular or cardiovascular complications.
• Participants will not be habitual recreational users of cannabis (i.e., <1 day/week) or tobacco users.
• Participants that agree not use any other cannabis or tobacco products while enrolled in the study.
• Participants willing to provide a list of any prescription medications they are taking.
• Ability to maintain commitment to all proposed biopsychological and health questionnaires, and neuro-physiological, physiological, perceptual-cognitive, and functional motor skills laboratory tests.
• Participants who are capable of giving signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Female.
• Must not travel to the USA during study period; USA laws do not permit cross border with cannabis products.
• Use of cannabis-based therapy within 2 months (participants who have previously used a cannabis based therapy may be included if they have a 2-month period without use of cannabis-based therapy prior to enrollment in the study).
• Participants with any level of cannabis in their blood samples when sampled at the commencement of the study will be excluded.
• Participants that are being medically supervised for anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), mood disorder, psychotic disorders or any cerebrovascular and cardiovascular complications.
• Participants who are taking prescription medications such as psychotropic medications with serotonergic activity, including Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (i.e. Fluoxetine), Tricyclic Antidepressants (i.e. Elavil, Nortriptyline) and Atypical Neuroleptics (i.e. Risperidone, Seroquel).
• Initiation or dosage change of oral or injected steroids within 3 months.
• Allergy or known intolerance to any of the compounds within the study preparation.
• Unable to maintain commitment to all proposed biopsychological and health questionnaires, and neuro-physiological, physiological, and functional motor skills laboratory tests.
• Inability of study participants to attend assessments on a regular basis at the pre-determined times, or failure to take the drug daily.
• Clinically significant cardiac, renal or hepatic disease (as assessed by the site investigator).
• If they already have a concussion at the time of starting the study.