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Social AnxietyPhase 2NCT05823753

Cannabidiol to Reduce Anxiety Reactivity

A Phase 2 study testing Cannabidiol in people with Social Anxiety and Social Anxiety Disorder, run by University of California, San Diego at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study seeks to understand how cannabidiol (CBD) - a non-intoxicating chemical compound obtained from the Cannabis sativa plant - affects biological and stress-related responses that are believed to underlie anxiety disorders. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 years
Conditions the study is for
Social Anxiety, Social Anxiety Disorder
What is being tested?
Cannabidiol
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
63 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
19 Apr 2023to 20 Aug 2024
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Inclusion criteria: (1) Principal diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (SAD) according to the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for DSM-5 (MINI Version 7.0.2; Sheehan, 2016); (2) clinician-administered LSAS score ≥ 60 and score ≥ 2 on Question 6 (public speaking fear/anxiety sub-scale; Mennin et al., 2002); (3) ages 18-70; (4) able to provide informed, written consent; (5) English proficiency.

Exclusion criteria are included to ensure that participation does not place subjects at undue risk, and to minimize confounding interpretation of our findings:

  1. Current or imminent risk of suicide assessed using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
  2. Bipolar or psychotic disorders
  3. History of major neurological disorder or moderate to severe traumatic brain injury or severe or unstable medical conditions that might be compromised by participation in the study.
  4. Past 6-month substance use disorder (any severity, with the exception of mild alcohol use disorder)
  5. Prior history of cannabis use disorder, or allergy or intolerance to cannabinoids
  6. Current (within past 7 days) cannabinoid use (medicinal or recreational; assessed using patient report and a urine sample). Concurrent cannabinoid use is prohibited during the study.
  7. Positive urinalysis screen for psychoactive drug use (that is not physician prescribed)
  8. Abnormal and clinically relevant blood count, liver, renal or EKG findings as determined by physician
  9. Currently prescribed medications with known CBD-interactions (e.g., amiodarone, fluconazole, metronidazole, miconazole, sulfamethoxazole, clarithromycin, erythromycin, cyclosporine, verapamil, itraconazole, voriconazole, boceprevir, St. John's Wart, and carbamazepine)
  10. People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant within the next 6 months. People who are able to get pregnant who do not meet those exclusions must agree to use an acceptable method of contraception from at least 21 days prior to the first dose of study drug and for 3 months after the last dose of study drug for study entry.
  11. Concurrent empirically supported psychosocial treatments for anxiety or mood disorders (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy)
  12. Use of any psychotropic medication (e.g. SSRIs, benzodiazepines) within 14 days before study entry [except for fluoxetine within 30 days]. Concurrent use is prohibited during the study.
  13. Use of beta-adrenergic blocking agents ("beta blockers") within 14 days before study entry. Concurrent use is prohibited during the study.
  14. Use of any over-the-counter, prescription, or herbal product for treating symptoms of anxiety or social anxiety within 14 days before study entry. Concurrent use is prohibited during the study.
  15. Inability to complete the assessments or test sessions.
  16. Clinical conditions assessed by the interviewer that necessitate more imminent clinical care. These criteria are in place so participants with these other, more several symptoms can be referred for appropriate services.
  17. Prior participation in a clinical trial involving cannabinoids.
  18. Non-correctable vision or hearing problems, as some tests require intact sensory functioning.
  19. No telephone or easy access to telephone.
  20. Severe depression symptoms (PHQ-9 >= 20)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of California, San Deigo

    San Diego, California, 92093

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Endocannabinoid System Engagement to Reduce Anxiety Reactivity with Cannabidiol in Social Anxiety Disorder (R61 Project)

This study seeks to understand how cannabidiol (CBD) - a non-intoxicating chemical compound obtained from the Cannabis sativa plant - affects biological and stress-related responses that are believed to underlie anxiety disorders. This study will evaluate the effects of different doses of CBD on blood plasma levels of anandamide (a molecule in the brain that has been shown to help regulate stress responses; primary biological signature) and anxiety reactivity to a standardized stress task (secondary target) in an acute (4-day) dosing study (i.e., when steady state CBD levels have been reached). Approximately 60 subjects with social anxiety disorder (SAD), ages 18-70, will participate in this study. They will be assigned by chance to receive one of two doses of CBD (150 mg BID or 450 mg BID administered in two divided doses daily) or placebo (which resembles the study drug but has no active ingredients) BID for 3 days and on the morning of day 4. Knowledge gained from this study will help determine the therapeutic potential of CBD for anxiety.

Read the detailed description

Background and aims:

The proposed two-phase, milestone driven project seeks to understand how cannabidiol (CBD) effects biological and stress-related responses that are believed to underlie anxiety disorders. This knowledge will help advance the therapeutic potential of CBD for anxiety. The R61 phase project will evaluate the dose-dependent effects of CBD on blood plasma levels of anandamide (a molecule in the brain that has been shown to help regulate stress responses; primary biological signature) and anxiety reactivity to a standardized stress task (secondary target) in an acute (4-day) dosing study (i.e., when steady state CBD levels have been reached). Aim 1 will test the hypothesis that CBD increases anandamide levels and decreases anxiety reactivity compared to placebo. Aim 2 will determine which dose (150 mg BID or 450 mg BID) of CBD produces a greater effect on anandamide and anxiety reactivity. To achieve these aims, 60 participants meeting diagnostic criteria for social anxiety disorder (SAD) will be randomized 1:1:1 to one of two doses of CBD (300 mg/day or 900 mg/day) or placebo. They will complete standardized paradigms assessing anxiety reactivity and blood draws for determination of CBD and anandamide levels at baseline and day 4.

Research design and procedures:

This phase II clinical trial will randomize 60 subjects using a double-blind, parallel group design, 1:1:1 to CBD (300 mg/day or 900 mg/day) or placebo. Randomization will be stratified by sex assigned at birth. Study personnel and subjects will be blinded throughout. Only the study biostatistician and pharmacist will be unblinded.

Session 1 (intake session) will involve explanation of study procedures, informed written consent, a clinical evaluation, a series of questionnaires, medical exam and history including current treatments, and urine and blood test. This session will determine eligibility to take part in the study.

Session 2 (baseline assessment session) will include vital signs, urine test, blood draw (to assess plasma CBD and endocannabinoid metabolites), state mood assessments, computerized tasks assessing responses to emotional faces, and reactivity to a standardized stress task. At the end of this session, subjects will receive their CBD/placebo dispensation kit and instructions for taking CBD/placebo from the study physician. The CBD product to be used in this study is Epidiolex® (Jazz Pharmaceuticals/Greenwich), a plant-derived, highly purified CBD oral solution that is FDA approved for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older. Participants will receive CBD or placebo oral solution twice daily (evenly split doses at morning and evening meals) for three days (to achieve steady state) following the baseline assessment (day 0).

Session 3 (post-test session) will occur on the morning of day 4 (time of day matched to baseline ±1h). Participants will be instructed to take their morning dose with a meal as done in previous days. Post-test assessments will be the same as those taken at baseline, including blood draw, urine test, state mood assessments, computerized tasks assessing responses to emotional faces, and reactivity to a standardized stress task. Frequency of adverse and serious adverse events (AE/SAEs) and medication adherence will be assessed by the study physician. At the end of this session, subjects will be debriefed and referred for additional care as appropriate.

Being tested
Cannabidiol, Placebo
Keywords
Cannabidiol (CBD), Social Anxiety
Medical subject headings
Phobia, Social

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • CannabidiolDrug

    Also called Epidiolex

    The CBD product to be used in this study is Epidiolex (Jazz Pharmaceuticals/Greenwich), a plant-derived, highly purified CBD oral solution that is FDA approved for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older.

    Doses will be 300 mg/d or 900 mg/d according to participants' assigned condition. Participants will receive CBD or placebo oral solution twice daily (evenly split doses at morning and evening meals) for three days (to achieve steady state) following the baseline assessment (day 0), and in the morning of day 4 (before the post-test).

  • PlaceboDrug

    Placebo solution (excipients only, also by Jazz Pharmaceuticals/Greenwich).

Study groups in NCT05823753
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Cannabidiol 900 mg/dActive comparatorParticipants will receive CBD (900 mg/d). Evenly split doses of 450 mg will be taken at morning and evening meals for 3 days, and a 450 mg dose will be taken in the morning of day 4 (before the post-test).
Receives: Drug: Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol 300 mg/dActive comparatorParticipants will receive CBD (300 mg/d). Evenly split doses of 150 mg will be taken at morning and evening meals for 3 days, and a 150 mg dose will be taken in the morning of day 4 (before the post-test).
Receives: Drug: Cannabidiol
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorParticipants will receive a CBD matching placebo. Evenly split doses will be taken at morning and evening meals for 3 days, and a dose will be taken in the morning of day 4 (before the post-test).
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Anandamide

    Change in blood plasma levels of anandamide collected pre-stress task. A standardized mean difference (SMD) increase of 0.5 or greater in favor of CBD (either 300 mg/d or 900 mg/d) vs. placebo is defined as the primary biological target.

    Measured: Baseline, day 4

  2. Change in state anxiety (SUDs) during stress task anticipation phase

    Self-reported current feelings of anxiety using a 0 to 100 subjective units of distress scale. Higher scores reflect greater levels of anxiety. A standardized mean difference (SMD) decrease of 0.3 or greater in favor of CBD (either 300 mg/d or 900 mg/d) vs. placebo during the anticipation phase of the stress task is defined as one of two primary biobehavioral targets.

    Measured: Baseline, day 4

  3. Change in state anxiety (SUDs) during stress task performance phase

    Self-reported current feelings of anxiety using a 0 to 100 subjective units of distress scale. Higher scores reflect greater levels of anxiety. A standardized mean difference (SMD) decrease of 0.3 or greater in favor of CBD (either 300 mg/d or 900 mg/d) vs. placebo during the performance phase of the stress task is defined as one of two primary biobehavioral targets.

    Measured: Baseline, day 4

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Change in state anxiety (STAI) during stress task anticipation phase

    The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State subscale (STAI-State) is a 20-item measure that uses a 4-point (1 to 4) Likert scale to assess current anxiety-related affect. Higher scores indicate greater current anxiety.

    Measured: Baseline, day 4

  2. Change in state anxiety (STAI) following the stress task

    The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State subscale (STAI-State) is a 20-item measure that uses a 4-point (1 to 4) Likert scale to assess current anxiety-related affect. Higher scores indicate greater current anxiety.

    Measured: Baseline, day 4

  3. Change in negative self-statements during the stress task

    The Self-Statements during Public Speaking - Negative Self-Perception Scale (SSPS-N) is a 5-item scale that measures negative self-evaluations of one's performance on a 0 to 5 Likert scale. Higher scores reflect greater negative self-evaluations.

    Measured: Baseline, day 4

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted21 Apr 2023
  2. Study start19 Apr 2023
  3. Primary completion20 Aug 2024
  4. Study completion20 Aug 2024

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
A phase II, 3-arm, sub-acute (4-day) steady state dosing clinical trial.
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
63 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05823753
Sponsor's protocol ID
801460
Status last verified
Aug 2024
First submitted
10 Apr 2023
Last updated
8 Jan 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Cannabidiol in people with Social Anxiety and Social Anxiety Disorder, run by University of California, San Diego at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Jan 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Anandamide (time frame: Baseline, day 4). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Jan 2025.

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