Efficacy of a Controlled Short-term Trial of Cannabidiol (CBD) Ingestion on Reducing Symptomatic Response and Facilitating Recovery After Induced Muscle Injury

Current research has shown evidence that phytocannabinoids may have a promising therapeutic potential in a variety of physical and psychological ailments, and cannabidiol (CBD) is of particular interest due to its positive safety profile, non-intoxicating effects and widespread capabilities in a number of musculoskeletal diseases. Three primary reasons people consume CBD on a global basis, in addition to the fact that it is non-intoxicating, are for symptomatic (pain) relief, anxiety reduction, and improved sleep quality. Very little is known about CBD and how it functions in the body from both an efficacy and mechanistic perspective, especially in humans. There is a large consumer base for this product that will be expanding exponentially in the next few years. Most of the evidence available is anecdotal from the personal testimony of consumers. We aim to determine the efficacy of a controlled short-term trial of CBD ingestion for reducing symptomatic response and facilitating recovery following induced muscle injury. We will assess, in serial fashion, symptomatic response, functional limitations and recovery of the quadriceps muscle following induced injury in which selected doses of CBD oil (or placebo) will be delivered using a sublingual route of administration during a 15-day pre-injury consumption and post-injury recovery phase. A double-blind, randomized, two-arm study design will be used and participants will be randomly assigned to either an active dose (n=15) or vehicle control group (n=15). Our clinical outcomes include measures of muscular pain and disability along with measures of pain-related fear and anxiety. Our laboratory-based study design is desirable and advantageous because it is a controlled method of tracking individuals using an experimental model of injury that is translatable to clinical populations. This exploratory study will provide preliminary data needed to support the hypotheses of a planned larger scale application.

Inclusion Criteria: a) male and female adults between the ages of 18-35 years and b) English speaking, and c) both female and male subjects must be currently practicing acceptable methods of birth control, such as abstinence, and methods of contraception (barriers, oral, patch or other prophylactic methods). Exclusion Criteria: a) current use of cannabis products on a regular basis or positive urine test for cannabis, b) current use of tobacco or nicotine containing products on a regular basis, c) currently taking prescription medication for management of anxiety disorders, depression, or ADHD, d) current use of nutritional or dietary supplements on a daily basis (e.g. ephedra, yohimbine, pro-hormones, creatine or anabolics), e) current use of OTC anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. Advil, Aleve, Aspirin) on a regular basis, f) history of seizure disorder, family history of seizure disorder, current or history of head trauma, liver disease, renal (kidney) disease, cardiovascular disease (including, but not limited to: hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, and syncope), g) current medical condition that would prevent the participant from performing strenuous resistance exercise, h) weight lifting for the lower extremities (legs) more than twice a week, i) currently experiencing pain in the hips, leg, or knee region, j) pregnancy, lactating or positive urine pregnancy test, k) known allergy to CBD or coconut/sesame oil, l) an allergy to tree nuts (coconut).