Effects of Cannabis on Stress Response: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled fMRI Study
Project Overview
Nearly 50% of Canadians have used cannabis at least once in their lifetime. The vast majority of cannabis users report using cannabis to reduce stress. While there is some evidence to suggest that cannabis may impact the body’s stress regulation systems via the endocannabinoid system, there remains limited experimental evidence that cannabis does indeed reduce acute stress and the effects of cannabis on the brain during acute stress are not well understood. The current randomized control trial aims to examine the effects of oral cannabis on acute stress response in humans using a combination of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, psychoneuroimmunological assays, and subjective assessments.
Principal Investigator
Karina Thiessen , University of British Columbia
Partners and Donors
Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids (CCIC)/ M. Wayne and J. Coleman Family Fund