The University of California in San Diego (UCSD) currently has seven active marijuana-related clinical trials, and they are seeking participants for five of them.
Of the seven cannabis clinical trials the UCSD has “in progress”, five of them are “open to eligible people”.
These studies are part of the university’s ongoing efforts to explore the medical applications of marijuana, which is becoming increasingly relevant as more states legalize its use for both recreational and medicinal purposes, and as marijuana is rescheduled at the federal level.
The first trial, titled Brain Mechanisms Supporting Cannabis-induced Pain Relief, investigates the neural mechanisms behind marijuana-induced pain relief. Pain is often referred to as a “silent epidemic,” affecting over 100 million Americans and costing society more than $500 billion annually. This study aims to identify how vaporized marijuana alleviates acute pain by mapping the brain’s response, potentially leading to more effective and targeted pain therapies.
The second study will explore the interaction between cannabis use and antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV patients. This two-part trial, titled Cannabis Effects on Antiretroviral Therapy Pharmacokinetics and Neurotoxicity, begins with observing 120 participants to understand the impact of chronic cannabis use on ART drug levels, mood, and cognitive function. The second phase involves 40 participants receiving either cannabis or a placebo to evaluate its immediate effects.
Cannabis Use, Cognition, and the Endocannabinoid System in HIV, the third trial, investigates marijuana’s influence on cognitive behaviors like risk-taking and decision-making in individuals with HIV. It will focus on how THC and CBD affect cognitive function, motivation, and reward processing, along with changes in biomarkers related to the endocannabinoid system and dopamine.
The fourth study looks into how marijuana and HIV together affect brain health and inflammation, potentially offering new treatment strategies for brain-related conditions and inflammation. It’s titled Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol on Microbiome and Neuroinflammation in HIV.
Lastly, the fifth trial seeks to uncover how cannabinoids might relieve pain in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). This thorough study, titled Effects and Mechanisms of a High CBD Cannabis Extract (BRC-002) for the Treatment of Pain and Health in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, will employ a range of tests to understand how marijuana could stabilize and improve pain and associated symptoms in CRPS patients.
