Effects of Marijuana on Symptoms of OCD (ECOS)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03274440 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : September 7, 2017
Results First Posted : June 23, 2020
Last Update Posted : November 18, 2020
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | Drug: Cannabis Other: Placebo | Phase 1 Phase 2 |
Prior research suggests that certain areas of the brain are receptive to chemicals like those found in the cannabis (marijuana) plant, known as cannabinoids, and that these regions may be involved in anxiety disorders and OCD. More recent data shows that synthetic drugs that target these systems may be helpful in conditions related to OCD like anxiety disorders and Tourette's syndrome. Thus, these substances could also possibly be useful to treat OCD symptoms. However, to date there has been little research regarding the role of cannabinoids in OCD.
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of different cannabinoids on OCD symptoms in humans. To accomplish this in a laboratory setting, patients with OCD who are also occasional cannabis users will receive different combinations of two of the most well-studied cannabinoids, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the main psychoactive component in cannabis) and cannabidiol (CBD, another component of the cannabis plant). We will then measure acute effects on OCD symptoms, anxiety, intoxication, and cardiovascular outcomes (i.e. blood pressure and heart rate).
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 14 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Crossover Assignment |
Masking: | Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Effects of Marijuana on Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder |
Actual Study Start Date : | October 1, 2017 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | March 1, 2019 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | October 29, 2020 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: High THC/Low CBD Marijuana
This condition involves the ingestion of marijuana with a high THC (5-10%) and low CBD (<1%) content.
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Drug: Cannabis
THC and CBD are "cannabinoids" which are found naturally in the marijuana plant. Both act on the brain's "endocannabinoid system," which has been hypothesized to play a role in OCD.
Other Name: marijuana |
Experimental: Low THC/High CBD Marijuana
This condition involves the ingestion of marijuana with a low THC (<1%) and high CBD (>10%) content.
|
Drug: Cannabis
THC and CBD are "cannabinoids" which are found naturally in the marijuana plant. Both act on the brain's "endocannabinoid system," which has been hypothesized to play a role in OCD.
Other Name: marijuana |
Placebo Comparator: No THC/No CBD
This condition involves the ingestion of a placebo control with no THC and no CBD content.
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Other: Placebo
Placebo control group, not receiving THC or CBD. |
- Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Challenge Scale (YBOC-CS) [ Time Frame: Baseline was obtained at the beginning of each session. Then, change from baseline was measured following cannabis administration (minute 0) at minutes 20, 40, 60, 90, 120, and 180. This procedure was repeated for each of the 3 conditions. ]An adapted version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) which measures change in OCD symptoms over short time frames (i.e., since the last assessment as opposed to over the past week). Total score is reported. Scores range from 0 (no symptoms) to 40 (severe symptoms).
- Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale: State Version (STAI-S) [ Time Frame: Baseline obtained at the beginning of the session (Minutes 0), and then the scale was obtained at minutes 20, 40, 60, 90, 120, and 180 after cannabis administration. ]A scale measuring state (acute) anxiety. Total score is reported. Scores range from 20 (no state anxiety) to 80 (severe state anxiety).

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 21 Years to 55 Years (Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 21-55
- Physically healthy
- Diagnosed with OCD
- Current marijuana user
- Women of childbearing potential must be using an effective form of birth control
- Not currently taking psychotropic medications
- Ability to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of any significant medical condition that may increase the risk of participation
- Females who are pregnant or nursing
- If female, not pregnant
- Current or lifetime history of psychiatric disorders other than OCD that may increase the risk of participation
- Current substance use disorder
- Severe depression or positive urine toxicology (other than THC) at screening, or any adverse reaction to a cannabinoid
- Patients who are seeking treatment for substance abuse
- Patients who are planning to begin a course of cognitive-behavioral therapy within 8 weeks of beginning the study

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03274440
United States, New York | |
New York State Psychiatric Institute | |
New York, New York, United States, 10032 |
Principal Investigator: | Reilly Kayser, M.D. | New York State Psychiatric Institute |
Documents provided by Reilly R. Kayser, New York State Psychiatric Institute:
Responsible Party: | Reilly R. Kayser, Resident, New York State Psychiatric Institute |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03274440 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
# 7405 |
First Posted: | September 7, 2017 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | June 23, 2020 |
Last Update Posted: | November 18, 2020 |
Last Verified: | October 2020 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | Yes |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
OCD Marijuana THC |
Cannabis CBD Cannabinoid |
Marijuana Abuse Compulsive Personality Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Personality Disorders |
Mental Disorders Anxiety Disorders Substance-Related Disorders Chemically-Induced Disorders |