This study will randomize 32 non-treatment-seeking individuals who smoke cigarettes daily into a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled study testing the safety, tolerability, and initial efficacy of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ9-THCV).
The objective of this study is to examine the safety, tolerability, and initial efficacy of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ9-THCV) in daily smokers. We will randomize 32 non-treatment-seeking adults who smoke cigarettes daily (50% female) into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, counter-balanced, within-subject human laboratory study of Δ9-THCV (10 mg oral) and matched placebo. Specifically, participants will complete two 5-day outpatient medication periods, with a 14-day washout period in between, during which they will receive either Δ9-THCV or placebo in a counter-balanced order, such that all participants will complete both medication conditions across the study. Following each 5-day medication period, participants will complete a laboratory study visit during which they will undergo the McKee Smoking Lapse Task to assess the ability to resist smoking, cigarette self-administration, craving, withdrawal, and subjective effects of nicotine. Total study participation will be approximately 4 weeks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
32
10mg Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin oral gummy
Matched Placebo (oral gummy, 0mg Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin)
Latency to initiate smoking
Participants will complete the McKee Smoking Lapse Task following overnight abstinence to assess the effects of oral Δ9-THCV (10 mg), compared with placebo, on the ability to resist smoking. The primary outcome is latency to initiate smoking during the 50-minute delay period, defined as the number of minutes participants delay smoking their first cigarette (range: 0-50 minutes).
Time frame: Assessed during each 5-day medication condition, following overnight abstinence on Day 5
Number of cigarettes smoked during self-administration
Participants will complete the McKee Smoking Lapse Task following overnight abstinence to assess the effects of oral Δ9-THCV (10 mg), compared with placebo, on cigarette self-administration. The outcome is the number of cigarettes smoked during the 60-minute self-administration period of the task (no set range).
Time frame: Assessed during each 5-day medication condition, following overnight abstinence on Day 5
Questionnaire of Smoking Urges-Brief total score
Participants will complete the 10-item Questionnaire of Smoking Urges-Brief (QSU-Brief) during the McKee Smoking Lapse Task to assess cigarette craving. The QSU-Brief assesses urges and cravings using a 7-point Likert response scale, with higher scores indicating greater craving (range: 10-70). Cue-induced cigarette craving in response to cigarette (vs. neutral) cues will be calculated and compared between the Δ9-THCV and placebo conditions.
Time frame: Assessed during each 5-day medication condition during the Day 5 laboratory session following overnight abstinence
Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale score
Participants will complete ratings of nicotine withdrawal following overnight abstinence using the 8-item Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS), with higher values indicating more severe withdrawal (range: 0-32). Differences in MNWS scores will be evaluated between the Δ9-THCV and placebo conditions.
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Time frame: Assessed during each 5-day medication condition during the Day 5 laboratory session following overnight abstinence
Modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire satisfaction score
Participants will complete the 12-item Modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire (mCEQ) during the cigarette self-administration period of the McKee Smoking Lapse Task to assess satisfaction associated with smoking. Items are rated on a 7-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater endorsement. The satisfaction subscale score is calculated as the sum of Items 1, 2, and 12 (range: 3-21). Differences in satisfaction scores will be evaluated between the Δ9-THCV and placebo conditions.
Time frame: Assessed during each 5-day medication condition during the Day 5 laboratory session following overnight abstinence.
Modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire psychological reward score
Participants will complete the 12-item Modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire (mCEQ) during the cigarette self-administration period of the McKee Smoking Lapse Task to assess psychological reward associated with smoking. Items are rated on a 7-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater endorsement. The psychological reward subscale score is calculated as the sum of Items 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (range: 5-35). Differences in psychological reward scores will be evaluated between the Δ9-THCV and placebo conditions.
Time frame: Assessed during each 5-day medication condition during the Day 5 laboratory session following overnight abstinence.
Modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire nausea/dizziness score
Participants will complete the 12-item Modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire (mCEQ) during the cigarette self-administration period of the McKee Smoking Lapse Task to assess nausea and dizziness associated with smoking. Items are rated on a 7-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater endorsement. The nausea/dizziness subscale score is calculated as the sum of Items 9 and 10 (range: 2-14). Differences in nausea/dizziness scores will be evaluated between the Δ9-THCV and placebo conditions.
Time frame: Assessed during each 5-day medication condition during the Day 5 laboratory session following overnight abstinence.
Modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire craving relief score
Participants will complete the 12-item Modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire (mCEQ) during the cigarette self-administration period of the McKee Smoking Lapse Task to assess craving relief associated with smoking. Items are rated on a 7-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater endorsement. The craving relief subscale score is based on Item 11 (range: 1-7). Differences in craving relief scores will be evaluated between the Δ9-THCV and placebo conditions.
Time frame: Assessed during each 5-day medication condition during the Day 5 laboratory session following overnight abstinence.
Modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire enjoyment of airway sensations score
Participants will complete the 12-item Modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire (mCEQ) during the cigarette self-administration period of the McKee Smoking Lapse Task to assess the enjoyment of airway sensations associated with smoking. Items are rated on a 7-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater endorsement. The enjoyment of airway sensations subscale score is based on Item 3 (range: 1-7). Differences in enjoyment of airway sensations scores will be evaluated between the Δ9-THCV and placebo conditions.
Time frame: Assessed during each 5-day medication condition during the Day 5 laboratory session following overnight abstinence.