Study of Oral THC Effects on Alcohol Drinking and Brain Reward Activity in Adults Aged 21 to 40

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand how high doses of oral THC 20 mg dronabinol affect alcohol consumption, neural reward responses, and patterns of using alcohol and cannabis together. The study focuses on adults with cannabis use disorder who consume alcohol and cannabis. It addresses the limited knowledge about the brain mechanisms involved in simultaneous use and the impact of high THC doses on drinking behavior. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or 20 mg of dronabinol in two separate laboratory visits spaced 7 to 14 days apart. During each visit, they will take the assigned oral dose before undergoing an MRI scan and having the option to consume alcohol in a controlled laboratory setting. The study uses a triple-blind design to compare the effects of the active medication and placebo. Throughout the study, participants will complete a screening, baseline session, and two main visits. Researchers will measure brain activity related to alcohol and cannabis cues using fMRI one hour after medication, observe alcohol self-administration three to four hours post-dose, and collect daily self-reports on alcohol and cannabis use for 14 days following the final visit. Safety monitoring and adherence are included during the study period, which spans from the initial screening through the 14-day post-visit reporting phase.

Effects of THC on Alcohol Consumption and Neural Correlates of Reward