Behavioral Pharmacology of Orally Administered THC and D-limonene

NCT ID: NCT06378957

Last Updated: 2025-05-16

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: PHASE1
• Total Enrollment: 65 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-02-14
• Study Completion Date: 2027-12-31

Brief Summary

The current clinical trial will investigate the effects of orally administered d-limonene (limonene), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the combination in healthy adult volunteers.

Detailed Description

The current clinical trial will investigate the interaction of orally administered d-limonene (limonene) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Limonene is a flavor/fragrance component common to many plants, including cannabis. The investigators have previously demonstrated that vaporized limonene can impact the acute effects of THC. The purpose of this study is to examine whether orally administered limonene modulates the acute effects of orally co-administered THC in a manner similar to when these substances are inhaled A controlled laboratory study will be completed at Johns Hopkins evaluating placebo, THC alone, and four ascending doses of d-limonene in combination with THC. Participants will be healthy adults with experience using cannabis. A total of 6 outpatient drug administration sessions will be conducted for each evaluable participant. The investigators will recruit study volunteers until 20 participants complete the protocol.

Conditions

Subjective Drug Effects; THC; D-limonene

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Oral Placebo

Placebo (cellulose), via capsule

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type: DRUG

Placebo (cellulose) administered via capsule

Oral THC 30mg

30mg pure THC in ethanol vehicle, via capsule

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Delta-9-THC

Intervention Type: DRUG

Oral delta-9-THC in ethanol vehicle administered via capsule

Oral THC 30mg + D-Limonene 25mg

30mg pure THC in ethanol vehicle, via capsule 25mg pure D-Limonene, via capsule

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

D-Limonene

Intervention Type: DRUG

Oral Limonene administered via capsule

Delta-9-THC

Intervention Type: DRUG

Oral delta-9-THC in ethanol vehicle administered via capsule

Oral THC 30mg + D-Limonene 50mg

30mg pure THC in ethanol vehicle, via capsule 50mg pure D-Limonene, via capsule

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

D-Limonene

Intervention Type: DRUG

Oral Limonene administered via capsule

Delta-9-THC

Intervention Type: DRUG

Oral delta-9-THC in ethanol vehicle administered via capsule

Oral THC 30mg + D-Limonene 100mg

30mg pure THC in ethanol vehicle, via capsule 100mg pure D-Limonene, via capsule

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

D-Limonene

Intervention Type: DRUG

Oral Limonene administered via capsule

Delta-9-THC

Intervention Type: DRUG

Oral delta-9-THC in ethanol vehicle administered via capsule

Oral THC 30mg + D-Limonene 200mg

30mg pure THC in ethanol vehicle, via capsule 200mg pure D-Limonene, via capsule

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

D-Limonene

Intervention Type: DRUG

Oral Limonene administered via capsule

Delta-9-THC

Intervention Type: DRUG

Oral delta-9-THC in ethanol vehicle administered via capsule

Interventions

D-Limonene

Oral Limonene administered via capsule

Intervention Type: DRUG

Delta-9-THC

Oral delta-9-THC in ethanol vehicle administered via capsule

Intervention Type: DRUG

Placebo

Placebo (cellulose) administered via capsule

Intervention Type: DRUG

Other Intervention Names

THC

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Have provided written informed consent
• Be between the ages of 21 and 55
• Be in good general health based on a physical examination, medical history, vital signs, and screening urine and blood tests
• Test negative for drugs of abuse other than cannabis, including breath alcohol at the screening visit and at clinic admission
• Not be pregnant or nursing (if female). All females must have a negative serum pregnancy test at the screening visit and a negative urine pregnancy test at clinic admission.
• Have a body mass index (BMI) in the range of 18 to 36 kg/m2
• Blood pressure at Screening Visit does not exceed a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 150 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mmHg
• Have no allergies to any of the ingredients used to prepare (cellulose, THC, d-limonene).
• Report having used a high THC cannabis product in the past 3 years and having experienced anxiety after consuming cannabis at least once in lifetime.

Exclusion Criteria

• Non-medical use of psychoactive drugs other than, nicotine, alcohol, or caffeine 3 month prior to the Screening Visit;
• History of or current evidence of significant medical (e.g. seizure disorder) or psychiatric illness (e.g. psychosis) judged by the investigator to put the participant at greater risk of experiencing an adverse event due to exposure or completion of other study procedures.
• Use of an over the counter (OTC), systemic or topical drug(s), herbal supplement(s), or vitamin(s) within 14 days of experimental sessions; which, in the opinion of the investigator or sponsor, will interfere with the study result or the safety of the subject.
• Use of a prescription medication (with the exception of birth control prescriptions) within 14 days of experimental sessions; which, in the opinion of the investigator or sponsor, will interfere with the study result or the safety of the subject.
• Average use of cannabis more than 2 times per week in the prior 3 months.
• History of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmias or vasospastic disease (e.g., Prinzmetal's angina).
• Enrolled in another clinical trial or have received any drug as part of a research study within 30 days prior to dosing.
• Individuals with anemia or who have donated blood in the prior 30 days

• Minimum Eligible Age: 21 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Johns Hopkins University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Austin Zamarripa, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Locations

Johns Hopkins Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Austin Zamarripa, PhD

Role: CONTACT

czamarr2@jhmi.edu

410-550-6969

Lauren S Pollak, MSc

Role: CONTACT

lschoen7@jhmi.edu

410-550-0586

Facility Contacts

Austin Zamarripa

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

IRB00436545

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id