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Brain changes and neurotransmission during JWH-018 intoxication

Brain changes and neurotransmission during JWH-018 intoxication - Brain activity under the influence of JWH

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
NL-OMON
Registry ID
NL-OMON57346
Enrollment
18
Registered
2025-03-14
Start date
2025-03-01
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2026-03-09

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

Conditions

hersenkinetiek not applicable

Interventions

Subjects will receive a single dose of 75µg/kg bodyweight JWH-018 (with a maximum dose of 6 mg for individuals with a body weight of >=80 kg) and control condition on separate testing days.

Sponsors

Universiteit Maastricht
Lead Sponsor

Eligibility

Age
18 Years to 64 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: * Used cannabis between 1 time a month and 2 times a week during the previous year * Age between 18 and 40 years * Free from psychotropic medication * Good physical health as determined by medical examination and laboratory analysis * Absence of any major medical, endocrine and neurological condition as determined by medical examination and laboratory analysis * Normal weight, body mass index (weight/height2) between 18 and 28 kg/m2 * Written Informed Consent * Good knowledge and understanding of the English language * Participants must be willing to refrain from taking illicit psychoactive substances during the study. * Participants must be willing to drink only alcohol-free liquids and no coffee, black or green tea, or energy drinks after midnight of the evening before the study session, as well as during the study day. * Participants must be willing not to drive a traffic vehicle or to operate machines within 24 h after substance administration.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: * History of drug addiction (determined by the medical questionnaire, drug questionnaire and medical examination). * Pregnancy or lactation or pregnancy planned during study participation. * Hypertension (diastolic > 90 mmHg; systolic > 140 mmHg). * Current or history of psychiatric disorder (determined by the medical questionnaire and medical examination). * Current presence or history of psychosis in first-degree relatives * Any chronic or acute medical condition. * History of cardiac dysfunctions (arrhythmia, ischemic heart disease,*). * For women: no use of a reliable contraceptive. * Tobacco smoking (>20 per day). * Excessive drinking (>20 alcoholic consumptions per week). Furthermore, to participate in MRI scanning a few conditions need to be satisfied by the subject. In the following cases, a MRI scan is not possible: * The subject had an operation to his head or brain. * The subject has implanted electronic devices, like a pacemaker. * The subject has an insulin pump under his skin. * The subject suffers from epilepsy. * The subject suffers from claustrophobia. * The subject has cardiological irregularities. * If there is a chance that the subject might be pregnant. * If, apart from teeth fillings and connectors, there are other metal parts in the body, like: o protheses o implants o clips on blood vessels o metal parts in the eye o spiral o metal braces o other metal objects In the following cases the researcher first needs to establish, in collaboration with the participant, whether it would be possible to have an MRI scan: * Subject has a tattoo (also permanent make-up). * Subject has one or several piercings that cannot be removed. * Subject has a metal wire behind his teeth.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
The main study parameter is the drug-induced change in neurotransmission of glutamate, GABA and dopamine which will be assessed by using MRS and resting state fMRI.

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Secondary parameters include changes in attentional salience processing, memory, JWH-018 kinetics, metabolomics, and cytokines in blood and subjective experience of the drug effects, and drug liking and wanting.

Countries

Netherlands

Outcome results

None listed

Source: NL-OMON (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Mar 14, 2026