Resistance Exercise and Cannabis Use

Cannabis Use Disorder Clinical Trial

Official title:

The Acute Effects of Resistance Exercise on Cannabis Use and Craving

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Not yet recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03867786
• Other study ID #: 12345
• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 1, 2023
• Est. completion date: December 1, 2024

Study information

• Verified date: January 2023
• Source: Penn State University
• Contact: Gwendolyn Thomas, PhD
• Phone: 8148633172
• Email: gat112[@]psu.edu
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug and rates of hazardous use, and cannabis use disorders (CUDs), have continued to rise in recent years. The highest rates of use and CUDs are seen in young adults (20 - 24 years old) with more than 50% of young adults reporting lifetime use of cannabis, 35% report use in the past year, and 20% report use in the past month. Increased exposure produces higher risk for detrimental psychological and behavioral effects of cannabis use. Given this increased prevalence of cannabis use and associated risks, identifying effective behavioral strategies that reduce cannabis craving, negative psychological effects, and alter neurobiological mechanisms underlying problematic cannabis use are an avenue of needed research. Exercise, particularly resistance exercise, is a behavioral intervention with considerable potential as an adjunctive treatment for CUD.

Description:

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug and rates of hazardous use, and cannabis use disorders (CUDs), have continued to rise in recent years. The highest rates of use and CUDs are seen in young adults (20 - 24 years old) with more than 50% of young adults reporting lifetime use of cannabis, 35% report use in the past year, and 20% report use in the past month. Increased exposure produces higher risk for detrimental psychological and behavioral effects of cannabis use. Given this increased prevalence of cannabis use and associated risks, identifying effective behavioral strategies that reduce cannabis craving, negative psychological effects, and alter neurobiological mechanisms underlying problematic cannabis use are an avenue of needed research. Exercise, particularly resistance exercise, is a behavioral intervention with considerable potential as an adjunctive treatment for CUD.

The aims of this proposal seek to address these issues by implementing acute resistance exercise protocol in men and women who have cannabis use disorder. This proposal will: 1 examine the effect of an acute resistance exercise protocol on affect, stress, and compulsive urge to use in non-treatment seeking young adults with CUD 2.examine whether an acute resistance exercise session in individuals with CUD is associated with induced alterations in the appetitive/ reward hormone ghrelin These findings will inform the further development for exercise interventions for cannabis use disorder that can be used with the aim of supporting individuals with CUD reduce use and decrease the negative effects of withdrawal.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Enrollment: 40
• Est. completion date: December 1, 2024
• Est. primary completion date: August 31, 2023
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 30 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Healthy individuals between the ages of 18-30 years who currently meet for a moderate or severe cannabis use disorder according to DSM-5 criteria.

2. Untrained (no structured exercise program for at least the previous 6 months) as verified by self-report on a physical activity form.

3. No previous bone or muscle problems or previous injuries that would prevent free movement about the shoulder, hip, knee or ankle, or increase the risk of discomfort or injury during exercise. No ongoing back problems.

4. No known endocrine disorders (including, but not limited to Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, Hyperparathyroidism, Cushing's Syndrome, Diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome or other inflammatory disorders).

5. No history of blood clotting disorders.

6. Able to read English and complete study assessments

7. Voluntarily provide informed consent and sign the informed consent document.

8. Able to provide negative toxicology screenings for substances, except for cannabis, at intake.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Meet current criteria for a moderate or severe substance use disorder for any other substance besides cannabis

2. Have any current psychiatric disorders with acute symptoms (i.e., psychosis, suicidal, homicidal, current mania).

3. Younger or older than the specified age range of 18-30.

4. Any endocrine, bone, muscle problems, previous injuries, back problems, or blood clotting disorders.

5. Cardiac and severe respiratory illnesses (i.e. arrhythmias, enlarged heart, COPD) -

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Cannabis Use Disorder
• Marijuana Abuse

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Exercise
Participants will complete an acute exercise visit.
• Video Control
Participants will complete a video control visit.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Penn State University

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Cannabis Craving	Craving Marijuana Craving Questionnaire (MCQ) The 45-item MCQ is a multi-dimensional questionnaire that assesses marijuana craving. It is based on the the Cocaine Craving Questionnaire and uses items that touch on four specific constructs characterizing craving for marijuana: (1) compulsivity, an inability to control marijuana use; (2) emotionality, use of marijuana in anticipation of relief from withdrawal or negative mood; (3) expectancy, anticipation of positive outcomes from smoking marijuana; and (4) purposefulness, intention and planning to use marijuana for positive outcomes. Each item is rated on a seven-point Likert-type scale ranging from "strongly agree to strongly disagree"	change from baseline
Primary	Cannabis Craving	Total Ghrelin as measured by 0.5mL plasma	Change from baseline
Primary	Cannibis Consumption	endocannabinoid N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA)	change from Baseline