Acute Effects of Cannabis on Cognition and Affect

Summary

This study will examine how a moderate dose of THC affects mood, stress responses, and cognitive functioning in regular cannabis users. The study uses a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, meaning each participant will complete two sessions. Specifically, each participant will be given active cannabis (20 mg THC) in one session, and placebo in the other session. The order will be randomized across participants, so half will receive cannabis first, and the other half will receive placebo first.

Ninety adults who use cannabis at least weekly will be recruited from the local community. After an online screening survey, eligible participants will attend a laboratory visit where the participants will provide informed consent and complete saliva and urine drug tests to confirm recent abstinence from cannabis and absence of other drugs. Participants who pass screening will complete baseline questionnaires of cannabis use patterns, depression, anxiety, ADHD symptoms, emotion regulation, affect, and demographic information.

Cannabis and placebo materials (obtained from NIDA) will be vaporized using a Volcano vaporizer device. Participants will inhale the vapor under supervision, and neither the participant nor the researcher assessing outcomes will know which product is administered. After vaping, participants will complete repeated mood ratings, saliva samples, and a battery of cognitive tests assessing executive functions like planning, inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.

Participants will also complete a standardized stress challenge (the Maastricht Acute Stress Test), which involves repeated trials of placing their hand in cold water and doing challenging mental math, followed by additional mood ratings and saliva samples. The participants will then watch a nature video and report their feelings of awe and affect.

At the end of each session, participants will remain in a supervised room with entertainment and snacks until at least four hours have passed since vaping and the participants report feeling sober. The participants will then return for a second session with the opposite study condition (THC or placebo) one week later. Both sessions follow the same procedures. Participants are fully debriefed after completing the study.

Conditions

• Cannabis Use

Interventions

DRUG

THC 20mg

20 mg THC delivered by vaporizing 0.17 g of 11.86% THC cannabis flower obtained from NIDA, using a Volcano vaporizer.

DRUG

Placebo

Placebo obtained from NIDA and vaporized using a Volcano vaporizer.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Washington State University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ryan J McLaughlin, PhD · Washington State University

• Carrie Cuttler, PhD · Washington State University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

21 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-28

Primary Completion

2028-02-29

Completion

2028-02-29

FDA Drug

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations