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CBD, Immune Function, and Neural Health

Are Natural Killer Cells Novel Mediators of the Effects of Cannabidiol on Physical Fitness, Mental Health and Well-Being, Sleep Quantity, Sleep Quantity and Immune Function?

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04881539
Enrollment
50
Registered
2021-05-11
Start date
2021-05-15
Completion date
2022-03-18
Last updated
2022-03-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

CBD

Brief summary

Chronic inflammation, which is defined as a persistent, low-grade inflammatory response within the body, is associated with many of the negative health conditions which are prevalent in our society today. It is most well-known for its role in the progression of diseases including obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Chronic inflammation is also linked to many of the underlying factors associated with disease development including perturbations in sleep, and mental health status such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and quality of life. Natural killer cells, commonly referred to as NK cells, are a subset of white blood cells that play an important role in the coordination of inflammation in the body. Although many interventions aimed at controlling chronic inflammation and enhancing NK cell number and activity have been explored, relatively few have been administered without significant barriers. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive hemp derivative, is a potential, attractive therapeutic target. However, there is very little information in humans that addresses the potential of CBD to improve your health and immune function. The overall goal of this study is to explore the effects of 8-weeks of CBD supplementation on mental and physical health, sleep measures, and NK cell number and cytotoxic function. Specific Aim 1. Explore the effect of 8-weeks of CBD administration on sleep measures as well as measures of mental and physical health in conjunction with measurements of NK cell number and function.

Detailed description

In this double-blind investigation, participants will undergo 8 total visits separated by an 8-week intervention period. One week prior to the intervention period, participants will complete a blood draw, body composition analysis, aerobic and anaerobic fitness analysis, maximal strength testing, and physical activity and sleep quantity and quality analyses. These tests will be completed again following the 8-week intervention period. Following the first 4 visits, participants will be randomly assigned 1 of 2 groups: CBD (50mg/day) or calorie matched placebo. Participants will then complete the 8-week intervention period. Additionally, during week 4 of the 8-week intervention period (intervention midpoint), participants will complete a blood draw, one full week of physical activity and sleep actigraphy, surveys on mental health and wellbeing, and prevalence of sickness and illness

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTCannabidiol (CBD)

This group will receive an oral dose of CBD (Six Degrees Wellness).

Sponsors

University of Northern Colorado
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Masking description

A person who does not interact with the study participants will be completing the masking.

Intervention model description

Study participants will be randomly assigned to either a CBD group or a placebo group and followed throughout the 8 week intervention period.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Participants must be within 18 and 50 years of age * Abstained from cannabis (either THC and/or CBD) for the past 6 weeks * Have a BMI of 29.9 or below * Completes at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week. * Able and willing to commit to an 8-week intervention schedule

Exclusion criteria

* Significant cardiovascular disorders including but not limited to serious arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, stroke, or transient ischemic attacks, peripheral vascular disease with intermittent claudication, acute, chronic or recurrent thrombophlebitis. * Diagnosed neurological disorders including but not limited to brain tumors, brain injuries, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and seizures. * Regular use of drugs that significantly alter brain activity such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines, and others used to treat anxiety, panic, stress, sleep disorders, or increases the risk of sedation and drowsiness. * Head trauma with loss of consciousness for more than 30 mins.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
NK Cell Function8 WeeksWe will use a flow cytometry to evaluate natural killer cell number and function before and after the intervention.
Natural Killer Cell Number8 WeeksWe will use a flow cytometry to evaluate natural killer cell number and function before and after the intervention.
Natural Killer Cell Number and Function8 WeeksWe will use a flow cytometry to evaluate natural killer cell number and function before and after the intervention.
Physical Activity8 WeeksWe will use a Fitbit to track physical activity before and after the intervention.
Sleep8 WeeksWe will use a Fitbit Sleep Tracker before and after the intervention.
Immune Biomarker (C-Reactive Protein (CRP))8 WeeksWe will measure serum CRP in pre and post intervention samples.
Immune Biomarker (Interleukin 6 (IL-6))8 WeeksWe will measure serum Il-6 in pre and post intervention samples.
Neural Health Biomarker (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF))8 WeeksWe will measure circulating BDNF in pre and post intervention samples.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Anaerobic Fitness8 WeeksWe will test subject ability to perform a Wingate Power Test before and after the intervention.
Cognitive Function Questionnaire8 WeeksWe will evaluate cognitive function with the PROMIS SF v. 2.0 Abilities Questionnaire before and after the intervention. A higher score suggests higher cognitive ability.
Anxiety Questionnaire8 WeeksWe will use the General Anxiety Disorder -7 Questionnaire before and after the intervention. The higher the score suggests higher levels of anxiety.
Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire8 WeeksWe will use the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire before and after the intervention. Lower scores generally suggest better sleep.
Depression Questionnaire8 WeeksWe will use the Beck Depression Inventory before and after the intervention period. A higher score on this survey suggests the presence of more depression.
Strength Assessment8 WeeksAll subjects will complete a 1 repetition or 8 repetition max back squat test before and after the intervention.
Body Composition8 WeeksWe will use the Bod Pod before and after the intervention to evaluate body composition.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026