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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02112292

The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Sweet Taste Intensity and Liking

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system, a neurochemical signalling system consisting of CB-receptors and their endogenous ligands, has been found to be involved in food intake of sweet and palatable foods. Activation of the eCB system increases food intake and vice versa. The mechanism behind this effect is still unknown and the current study aims at clarifying why sweet food intake increases. It is hypothesized that sweet taste intensity increases and that sweet taste is experienced as more pleasant.

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Key information

Conditions

Sensory Science

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Wageningen University

Wageningen, Gelderland, 6703 HD, Netherlands

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • BMI: 18.5 - 25 kg/m2
  • Incidental cannabis use for at least one year, at least four times per year, but less than once a week.
  • Dutch-speaking
  • Willing to comply with the study procedures
  • Having given written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Not meeting the inclusion criteria
  • Restraint eating (men: score > 2.90)
  • Lack of appetite
  • Having difficulties with swallowing/eating
  • Usage of an energy restricted diet during the last two months
  • Weight loss or weight gain of 5kg or more during the last two months
  • Stomach or bowel disease
  • Diabetes, thyroid disease, other endocrine disorders
  • Use of daily medication except paracetamol
  • Having taste or smell disorders (self-report)
  • Being allergic/intolerant for products under study
  • Previously experienced an adverse reaction to cannabinoids (e.g. anxiety, paranoia, nausea)
  • Having (had) a schizophrenia or other psychotic illness
  • Having a family history of schizophrenia or other psychotic illness
  • Working at the Division of Human Nutrition (WUR)
  • Current participation in other research from the Division of Human Nutrition (WUR)

Treatment and study plan

tetrahydrocannabinol

Drug

Other names: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC

Cannabidiol

Drug

Other names: CBD

Placebo

Drug

Primary outcomes

  1. Relation between sweet taste intensity and liking

    Time frame: 15 minutes after intervention

    The main study parameter is the relation between sucrose intensity scaling (psychophysics) and liking (psychohedonics) of drinks with the different sucrose concentrations. These scores will be assessed after six participants and at end of the study.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Ranking order of pleasantness of different drinks with different levels of sucrose.

    Time frame: 25 minutes after intervention

    Ranking order will be assessed after 6 participants and at end of the study

  2. Preferences for different kinds of foods

    Time frame: 45 minutes after intervention (15 minutes after top-up dose)

    Preference for foods high in one of three macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein, fat) or low in energy

  3. Ad libitum intake

    Time frame: 35 minutes after intervention (5 minutes after top-up dose)

    Ad libitum intake of a chocolate-based drink

  4. Change of plasma levels of (endo-)cannabinoids and satiety hormones

    Time frame: One hour after intervention

  5. Polymorphisms

    Time frame: At test session, i.e., 2 weeks before first intervention

    The genetic determination of the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of THC and CBD.

Other outcomes

  1. Descriptives

    Time frame: At inclusion of participants

    General subject characteristics, e.g age, restrained eating score and other lifestyle and medical parameters

  2. Appetite ratings

    Time frame: During each test session

    During each test session, appetite ratings will be assessed at several time points

  3. Subjective feelings

    Time frame: During each test session

    During each test sessions, participants will rate the effects of the intervention.

  4. Perception

    Time frame: 20 minutes after intervention

    Participants will rate the intensity of different shades of grey.

  5. Sweet taste intensity

    Time frame: 15 minutes after intervention

    Sucrose intensity of drinks (psychophysics) of drinks with different sucrose concentrations. This will be assessed after six participants and at end of the study.

  6. Liking of sweet taste

    Time frame: 15 minutes after intervention

    Liking (psychohedonics) of drinks with the different sucrose concentrations. This will be assessed after six participants and at end of the study.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Wageningen University

Other

Registry information

Acronym: Sweed

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2015
First posted
Apr 11, 2014
Registry last updated
May 23, 2017

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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