The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Sweet Taste Intensity and Liking (Sweed)

Wageningen University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Sensory Science

Treatments: Drug: Placebo; Drug: tetrahydrocannabinol; Drug: cannabidiol

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02112292

2013-002555-14 (EudraCT Number)

NL44758.081.13

Details and patient eligibility

About

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system, a neurochemical signalling system consisting of CB-receptors and their endogenous ligands, has been found to be involved in food intake of sweet and palatable foods. Activation of the eCB system increases food intake and vice versa. The mechanism behind this effect is still unknown and the current study aims at clarifying why sweet food intake increases. It is hypothesized that sweet taste intensity increases and that sweet taste is experienced as more pleasant.

Enrollment: 10 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• BMI: 18.5 - 25 kg/m2
• Incidental cannabis use for at least one year, at least four times per year, but less than once a week.
• Dutch-speaking
• Willing to comply with the study procedures
• Having given written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Not meeting the inclusion criteria
• Restraint eating (men: score > 2.90)
• Lack of appetite
• Having difficulties with swallowing/eating
• Usage of an energy restricted diet during the last two months
• Weight loss or weight gain of 5kg or more during the last two months
• Stomach or bowel disease
• Diabetes, thyroid disease, other endocrine disorders
• Use of daily medication except paracetamol
• Having taste or smell disorders (self-report)
• Being allergic/intolerant for products under study
• Previously experienced an adverse reaction to cannabinoids (e.g. anxiety, paranoia, nausea)
• Having (had) a schizophrenia or other psychotic illness
• Having a family history of schizophrenia or other psychotic illness
• Working at the Division of Human Nutrition (WUR)
• Current participation in other research from the Division of Human Nutrition (WUR)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

---

10 participants in 6 patient groups

T-C-P

Experimental group

Description:

Order of administrations: tetrahydrocannabinol - cannabidiol - placebo

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo

Drug: cannabidiol

Drug: tetrahydrocannabinol

T-P-C

Experimental group

Description:

Order of administrations: tetrahydrocannabinol - placebo - cannabidiol

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo

Drug: cannabidiol

Drug: tetrahydrocannabinol

C - T - P

Experimental group

Description:

Order of administrations: cannabidiol - tetrahydrocannabinol - placebo

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo

Drug: cannabidiol

Drug: tetrahydrocannabinol

C - P - T

Experimental group

Description:

Order of administrations: cannabidiol - placebo - tetrahydrocannabinol

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo

Drug: cannabidiol

Drug: tetrahydrocannabinol

P - T - C

Experimental group

Description:

Order of administrations: placebo - tetrahydrocannabinol - cannabidiol

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo

Drug: cannabidiol

Drug: tetrahydrocannabinol

P - C - T

Experimental group

Description:

Order of administrations: placebo - cannabidiol - tetrahydrocannabinol

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo

Drug: cannabidiol

Drug: tetrahydrocannabinol