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Pain, ToleranceEarly Phase 1NCT05906511

PK/PD of Oral and Vaporized Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Older Adults

A Early Phase 1 study testing Dronabinol 5 MG, Dronabinol 10 MG and 2mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solution in people with Pain, Tolerance and Oral vs Vaporized THC, run by Yale University at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The overarching goal of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study is to characterize the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of the main analgesic and psychoactive constituent of cannabis, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), among older adults - the fastest growing population of cannabis… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 65 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Dronabinol 5 MG, Dronabinol 10 MG and 2mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solution
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
20 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
17 Oct 2023to 13 Apr 2026
Phase
Early Phase 1
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 65 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Healthy male and female participants aged 65 ≥ years old
  • Prior exposure to THC or cannabis least once in the last 10 years; 1-10 times in the last 20 years; or more than 20 times in their lifetime
  • Capable of providing informed consent in English.

Who cannot join

  • Meeting DSM-5 criteria for psychiatric/substance use disorders (SUD) other than tobacco use disorder, within the last year
  • Current use of cannabinoid products, as evidenced by a urine drug screen
  • Having a history of treatment for cannabis use disorder
  • History of intent or current intent of abstaining from cannabis use
  • Clinically significant medical disorders (e.g. liver/kidney dysfunction, immunosuppressing conditions, history or presence of epilepsy, seizures, head trauma with loss of consciousness)
  • Medical conditions that increase the risk of respiratory problems (e.g. COPD, asthma, recuring bronchitis, reactive airway disorder)* (does not apply to the Oral THC Sub-Study)
Show all 17Show fewer
  • History of environmental sensitivities (e.g. bronchospastic allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities) or other airway sensitivities that require the use of an epi pen*(does not apply to the Oral THC Sub-Study)
  • Neurological conditions that may change the response to nociceptive stimuli (e.g., stroke, neuropathy), or that lead to loss of balance, evidenced by a neuro-sensory exam
  • Contraindications for exposure to nociceptive stimuli, such as untreated hypertension
  • Current regular use of drugs known to affect pain, or that are prominent inducers or inhibitors of CYP2C9, CYP3A4, or UGTA19 (e.g., carbamazepine, valproate, fluvoxamine, and paroxetine)
  • Major neurocognitive disorders precluding participation, evidenced by a clinical exam
  • Abnormal EKG, arrythmia, vasospastic disease, chronic heart failure, or presence of a pacemaker
  • Elevation of liver enzymes (ALT, AST) 2x the normal limit or higher
  • Personal or family history of primary psychotic disorders, or mood disorders with psychotic features
  • Current suicidal ideation
  • Allergy or serious adverse reactions to sesame oil, THC, or cannabis
  • Having received any drug as part of a research study within 30 days prior to receiving the study medication in the current study.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • VA Connecticut Healthcare System

    West Haven, Connecticut, 06516

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Oral and Vaporized Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Older Adults

The overarching goal of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study is to characterize the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of the main analgesic and psychoactive constituent of cannabis, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), among older adults - the fastest growing population of cannabis consumers, and the most likely age cohort to use cannabinoids to relieve pain. This protocol includes two sub-studies, each randomizing 20 men and women aged 65 years or older to receive two administration routes of THC; oral administration and vaporized administration.

Read the detailed description

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, with two sub-studies each focusing on different routes of THC administration.

Oral THC Sub-Study: 20 men and women aged 65 years or older, will be randomized to two doses of oral THC (5 mg and 10 mg). Across three, 8-hour test sessions, participants will receive a random sequence of 3 conditions: 5 mg oral THC; 10 mg oral THC; oral placebo.

Vaporized THC Sub-Study: 20 men and women aged 65 years or older will be randomized to two doses of vaporized THC (2 mg and 4 mg). Across three 8-hour test sessions, participants will receive a random sequence of 3 conditions: 2 mg vaporized THC; 4 mg vaporized THC; and vaporized placebo.

For both the Oral and Vaporized THC Sub-Studies, blood samples will be regularly collected from an intravenous line, up to 8 hours post-dose, and at 24 hours post-dose, to assess the PK of THC and its phase I and II metabolites. PD effects of THC on pain will be measured with Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST), a psychophysical technique used to reliably measure pain sensitivity and investigate pain modulatory mechanisms. The abuse liability of THC will be measured using an established drug reinforcement paradigm. General adverse, cardiovascular, and cognitive/psychomotor effects of THC will be thoroughly assessed with behavioral, physiological, and neuropsychological methods.

Being tested
Dronabinol 5 MG, Dronabinol 10 MG, 2mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solution, 4mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solution, Placebo
Keywords
Pharmacokinetics THC, Pharmacodynamics THC
Medical subject headings
Pain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Dronabinol 5 MGDrug

    Also called "Marinol"

    Dronabinol 5 mg

  • Dronabinol 10 MGDrug

    Also called "Marinol"

    Dronabinol 10mg

  • 2mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solutionDrug

    2mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solution

  • 4mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solutionDrug

    4mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solution

  • PlaceboDrug

    Oral placebo and/or vaporized saline

Study groups in NCT05906511
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Dronabinol 5mgActive comparatorDronabinol 5 mg
Receives: Drug: Dronabinol 5 MG
Dronabinol 10mgPlacebo comparatorDronabinol 10 mg
Receives: Drug: Dronabinol 10 MG
Vaporized THC 2mgActive comparatorVaporized THC 2mg
Receives: Drug: 2mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solution
Vaporized THC 4mgActive comparatorVaporized THC 4 mg
Receives: Drug: 4mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solution
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorMasked oral placebo or vaporized saline
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Peak concentration (Cmax)

    Serial blood samples will be collected for plasma levels of THC; its phase I metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC (OH-THC); phase II metabolite 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH); and THC-COOH glucuronide. For THC and all other analytes, the peak concentration (Cmax) will be derived using a linear noncompartmental analysis.

    Measured: Up to 8 hours

  2. Time to attain Cmax concentration (Tmax)

    Serial blood samples will be collected for plasma levels of THC; its phase I metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC (OH-THC); phase II metabolite 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH); and THC-COOH glucuronide. For THC and all other analytes, the time to attain Cmax concentration (Tmax) will be derived using a linear noncompartmental analysis.

    Measured: Up to 8 hours

  3. Area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-8h)

    Serial blood samples will be collected for plasma levels of THC; its phase I metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC (OH-THC); phase II metabolite 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH); and THC-COOH glucuronide. For THC and all other analytes, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-8h) will be derived using a linear noncompartmental analysis.

    Measured: Up to 8 hours

  4. Nociception

    Multimodal quantitative sensory testing (QST) will be used ensure that various types of afferent fibers are engaged, so that the analgesic efficacy of THC can be comprehensively investigated. A composite pain sensitivity measure as a Z-score (ranging from -1 to +1) will be derived from the QST battery, with greater scores indicating a higher sensitivity to pain.

    Measured: Up to 8 hours

  5. Abuse Liability

    A modified Multiple-Choice Procedure (MPC) will be used to measure abuse liability. The MCP was developed and validated by Roland Griffiths to efficiently assess drug reinforcement - including cannabinoid-induced reinforcement. In each of the 6 experimental sessions, participants will choose between forfeiting or receiving escalating sums of money, on a scale of values between -$20.00 and $20.00; or re-receiving the study medication assigned for that day. The primary outcome will be the crossover point, the value at which the participant chooses money rather than the study medication, which will be determined for each session.

    Measured: Up to 8 hours

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted18 Jun 2023
  2. Study start17 Oct 2023
  3. Primary completion13 Apr 2026
  4. Study completion13 Apr 2026

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Early Phase 1
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Model description
This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, randomizing 20 men and women aged 65 years or older to two doses of oral THC and vaporized THC.
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
20 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05906511
Sponsor's protocol ID
2000035354
Other IDs
1R21DA057240-01
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
25 May 2023
Last updated
4 Nov 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Kaskie B, Ayyagari P, Milavetz G, Shane D, Arora K. The Increasing Use of Cannabis Among Older Americans: A Public Health Crisis or Viable Policy Alternative? Gerontologist. 2017 Nov 10;57(6):1166-1172. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnw166.

    PubMed 28077451
  • Solomon HV, Greenstein AP, DeLisi LE. Cannabis Use in Older Adults: A Perspective. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2021 May-Jun 01;29(3):225-233. doi: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000289.

    PubMed 33660625
  • Mahvan TD, Hilaire ML, Mann A, Brown A, Linn B, Gardner T, Lai B. Marijuana Use in the Elderly: Implications and Considerations. Consult Pharm. 2017 Jun 1;32(6):341-351. doi: 10.4140/TCP.n.2017.341.

    PubMed 28595684
  • Gagliese L. What do experimental pain models tell us about aging and clinical pain? Pain Med. 2007 Sep;8(6):475-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2007.00360.x. No abstract available.

    PubMed 17716320
  • Moore AR, Clinch D. Underlying mechanisms of impaired visceral pain perception in older people. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 Jan;52(1):132-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52023.x.

    PubMed 14687328
  • Lautenbacher S, Kunz M, Strate P, Nielsen J, Arendt-Nielsen L. Age effects on pain thresholds, temporal summation and spatial summation of heat and pressure pain. Pain. 2005 Jun;115(3):410-418. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2005.03.025.

    PubMed 15876494
  • Backonja MM, Attal N, Baron R, Bouhassira D, Drangholt M, Dyck PJ, Edwards RR, Freeman R, Gracely R, Haanpaa MH, Hansson P, Hatem SM, Krumova EK, Jensen TS, Maier C, Mick G, Rice AS, Rolke R, Treede RD, Serra J, Toelle T, Tugnoli V, Walk D, Walalce MS, Ware M, Yarnitsky D, Ziegler D. Value of quantitative sensory testing in neurological and pain disorders: NeuPSIG consensus. Pain. 2013 Sep;154(9):1807-1819. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2013.05.047. Epub 2013 Jun 3.

    PubMed 23742795
  • Griffiths RR, Troisi JR, Silverman K, Mumford GK. Multiple-choice procedure: an efficient approach for investigating drug reinforcement in humans. Behav Pharmacol. 1993 Feb;4(1):3-13.

    PubMed 11224166

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Early Phase 1 study testing Dronabinol 5 MG, Dronabinol 10 MG and 2mg Purified THC in an ethanolic solution in people with Pain, Tolerance and Oral vs Vaporized THC, run by Yale University at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 17 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Early Phase 1 (sometimes called Phase 0) studies give a very small amount of a treatment to a few people, mainly to see how the body handles it.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Peak concentration (Cmax) (time frame: Up to 8 hours). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05906511, which also lists 8 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Nov 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.

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