Not Yet RecruitingPhase 1

Examining the Role of Tolerance on Dose-dependent Effects of Acute THC on Oculomotor and Cognitive Performance

United States40 participantsStarted 2026-08-01

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this research is to determine the extent to which oculomotor function accurately detects THC-impairment, if cannabis use experience impacts this detection threshold, and to examine how the oculomotor index corresponds to a measure of sustained attention. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects crossover design will be used to examine the dose-effects of THC (0, 5mg, 30mg) on oculomotor performance tasks and a sustained attention task in frequent and infrequent cannabis users. Results from the study will advance the investigators' understanding of the effect of THC and cannabis use frequency on oculomotor function and sustained attention, and will directly inform the validity of the investigators' oculomotor platform for identifying acute THC- induced impairment in frequent and infrequent users.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Inclusion criteria: Healthy non-treatment seeking adults (age 18 to 60, N = 40) who report * (a) infrequent cannabis use defined as at least one reported use in the past year with a negative THC urine toxicology at baseline, or * (b) report frequent cannabis use defined as \> 5 days per week for \> 1 year with a positive THC urine toxicology at baseline. These criteria were selected to target individuals with low and high-frequency cannabis use in order to examine the direct effect of tolerance on study outcome measures. Exclusion Criteria: * (1) meet DSM-V criteria for substance use disorders other than tobacco, cannabis, or caffeine, * (2) are currently receiving or interested in immediately receiving behavioral treatment or medication for cannabis cessation, * (3) current use of any medications that could affect study outcomes, * (4) test positive for drugs of abuse (other than cannabis) and/or breath alcohol test at study admission, * (5) have a current physical or mental illness judged by the study team to negatively impact participant safety or scientific integrity, * (6) are currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant in the next three months or are currently breastfeeding, * (7) have a history of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmias or vasospastic disease (e.g. Prinzmetal's angina), or (8) are currently enrolled in another clinical trial or have received any drug as part of a research study within 30 days of study participation.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Commission Errors

Timeframe: pre-administration, post-administration, 2, 4 hours

Omission Errors

Timeframe: pre-administration, post-administration, 2, 4 hours

Reaction Time

Timeframe: pre-administration, post-administration, 2, 4 hours

Reaction Time Standard Error

Timeframe: pre-administration, post-administration, 2, 4 hours

Visuomotor Index

Timeframe: pre-administration, post-administration, 2, 4 hours

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06351540

SponsorJohns Hopkins University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-07-01

Contact for this trial

Dustin C Lee, PhD

410-550-4035 dlee214@jhmi.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Cannabis Use trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Commission Errors

Timeframe: pre-administration, post-administration, 2, 4 hours

Omission Errors

Timeframe: pre-administration, post-administration, 2, 4 hours

Reaction Time

Timeframe: pre-administration, post-administration, 2, 4 hours

Reaction Time Standard Error

Timeframe: pre-administration, post-administration, 2, 4 hours

Visuomotor Index

Timeframe: pre-administration, post-administration, 2, 4 hours