The Efficacy and Neurobehavioural Mechanism of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Alcohol Dependence

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female patients between ages of 18 and 65 meeting DSM-5 criteria for current alcohol use disorder * Adequate cognition and English language skills to give valid consent and complete research interviews; * A BrAC reading of 0.00 * Must have a stable residence and be able to identify an individual who could locate subject if needed * Provision of informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Active major psychological disorder associated with psychosis, significant suicide risk * Pregnancy or lactation - women shall be advised to use reliable contraception for the duration of drug therapy and a urine pregnancy test will be performed where necessary; * Dependence on any substance other than nicotine (eg methadone) * Diagnosis of epilepsy, and/or current use of anti-epileptic drugs (AED) * Liver failure with jaundice or prolonged INR above 1.3 * Medical complications such as liver failure, cardiac ischemia or conduction abnormalities, renal impairment or unstable elevated vital signs (systolic blood pressure \> 180, diastolic blood pressure \> 120 or heart rate \> 150) * Severe cognitive impairment or insufficient English or literacy to complete study processes * Concurrent use of drugs potentially exacerbated by CBD via CYP3A5 including cardiac medication (e.g. betablockers, calcium channel blockers and statins), macrolides and recent antihistamine use. * Claustrophobia; * Extreme obesity; * Previous brain surgery; * Ever employed as a machinist, a wel…