Pharmacological and physiological effects of cannabidiol: a dose escalation, placebo washout study protocol
Cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and may serve as a therapeutic option following mild traumatic brain injury. However, there is limited research on the pharmacological, physiological, and psychological effects of increasing CBD dosages in healthy male university athletes. No established dosing regimen exists that can optimize physiological function. This study aims to determine an optimal CBD dose based on pharmacokinetic data from contact-sport athletes and explore how escalating doses of CBD affect physiological and psychological outcomes.
Forty participants will be administered escalating CBD doses, ranging from 5 mg CBD/kg/day to 30 mg CBD/kg/day, with increments of 5 mg CBD/kg/day every two weeks. Blood samples will be collected at each of the 10 visits for pharmacological analysis. Physiological assessments will include evaluations of cerebral hemodynamics, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, seismocardiogram, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and salivary genomic sequencing. Additionally, psychological assessments will involve questionnaires covering sleep, anxiety, and pain.
This study will identify an optimal CBD dose based on its pharmacological, physiological, and psychological effects, with implications for its use during contact sports seasons. The goal is to assess whether CBD can reduce the incidence of mild traumatic brain injuries and aid in recovery.
