Cannabidiol and Prolonged Exposure

Description

The trial will include a randomized control trial to evaluate the efficacy of using Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, as an adjunctive to Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE). The trial will compare PE + CBD to PE + placebo in a sample of 136 military Veterans with PTSD at the VA San Diego Medical Center. The study represents the logical and innovative next step for augmenting existing treatments and developing novel pharmacotherapy for PTSD. Findings from the proposed RCT will inform clinical practice and policy by investigating whether administration of CBD in the context of PE therapy will improve treatment outcomes for military Veterans with PTSD.

Conditions

PTSD

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The trial will include a randomized control trial to evaluate the efficacy of using Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, as an adjunctive to Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE). The trial will compare PE + CBD to PE + placebo in a sample of 136 military Veterans with PTSD at the VA San Diego Medical Center. The study represents the logical and innovative next step for augmenting existing treatments and developing novel pharmacotherapy for PTSD. Findings from the proposed RCT will inform clinical practice and policy by investigating whether administration of CBD in the context of PE therapy will improve treatment outcomes for military Veterans with PTSD.

Cannabidiol as an Adjunctive to Prolonged Exposure for the Treatment of PTSD

Cannabidiol and Prolonged Exposure

Condition
PTSD
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

San Diego

VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, San Diego, California, United States, 92161-0002

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Over the age of 18 at the time of screening.
  • * Judged by the study physician to be in generally good health.
  • * Meet clinical criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5).
  • * Negative urine pregnancy test.
  • * History of significant allergic condition, significant drug-related hypersensitivity, or allergic reaction to cannabinoids.
  • * Used cannabis, synthetic cannabinoid, cannabinoid analogue, or any CBD or THC-containing product within 30 days of eligibility screening.
  • * Patient has had a change in psychopharmacotherapy regimen in the last 4 weeks, or has any plans to change regimen over the course of the study.
  • * Patient is engaged in trauma-related psychotherapy for PTSD.
  • * Current or past DSM-5 diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder, eating disorder with active purging, personality disorders, primary psychotic disorder, or bipolar affective disorder type 1.
  • * Patient is currently prescribed medications with possible CBD-drug interactions.
  • * History of actual suicide attempt in the last 5 years.
  • * Unmanaged obstructive sleep apnea.
  • * Positive drug screen for THC, barbiturates, amphetamines (if not prescribed), benzodiazepines, and/or opiates.
  • * History of treatment for, or evidence of, moderate to severe alcohol or drug abuse within the past year or regular alcohol consumption exceeding recommended limits.
  • * Lifetime history of Cannabis Use Disorder.
  • * Pregnant or breastfeeding.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

VA Office of Research and Development,

Catherine R Ayers, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA

Brian Martis, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA

Study Record Dates

2025-09-30