Cannabidiol (CBD) and Stress Response: Psychobiological Mechanisms

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · Jul 7, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is looking at how regular use of cannabidiol (CBD), a natural compound found in cannabis, affects how adults respond to stress. Researchers want to understand if people who use CBD daily handle stressful situations differently compared to those who don’t use CBD. To do this, they will measure physical and psychological reactions to a brief stressful event in healthy adults.

If you are between 21 and 70 years old, generally healthy, and keep a regular sleep schedule (sleeping at night and awake during the day), you might be able to join. Participants will either be regular daily users of CBD or not use it regularly at all. The study involves following specific instructions before visits, like avoiding alcohol or caffeine, and excludes people with certain health issues, pregnancy, or recent involvement in similar stress studies. Being part of the study means attending visits where your stress responses will be observed and recorded to help us better understand the effects of CBD on stress.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adults who are relatively healthy and aged 21-70 years.
• • Must keep a normal sleep schedule (sleep during nighttime, awake during daytime).
• • Must either (1) use CBD daily/regularly or (2) not use CBD regularly.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Participated in previous acute stress studies that included a similar stress induction.
• • Current, unstable: major psychiatric disorder or medical condition (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension above 160/100).
• • Self-reported current pregnancy.
• • Self-reported current use of illicit substances (other than cannabis).
• • Non-compliance with instructions for study visit (abstinence from alcohol, caffeine, physical activity, etc.)
• • Students of the principal researcher