Compensated marijuana smokers Research Study
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina are conducting a research study examining how hormones can affect stress and marijuana use.
Research Conducted in Charleston, SC
Compensation is Provided
3-4 in-person study visits
Smoke Marijuana 3+ per week
Women 18-45 Years Old
Fast Facts
Study Background
Our study presents a new approach that may help influence stress response and marijuana use in women.
We are interested in learning more about how women respond differently to stress, and how that affects marijuana use. We also intend to examine any potential craving or withdrawal.
We’re specifically interested in the role of progesterone, a naturally occurring hormone, so we’re measuring natural levels of progesterone and giving participants progesterone as well.
If you smoke regularly, join our study and learn more about the effect of marijuana use on your hormones and overall health.
We are interested in learning more about how women respond differently to stress, and how that affects marijuana use. We also intend to examine any potential craving or withdrawal.
We’re specifically interested in the role of progesterone, a naturally occurring hormone, so we’re measuring natural levels of progesterone and giving participants progesterone as well.
If you smoke regularly, join our study and learn more about the effect of marijuana use on your hormones and overall health.
Additional Information
Our researchers hope to help to inform future substance use disorder treatments and understand how treatment methods can potentially be specifically tailored for men and women.
You may qualify for our study if you meet the following criteria.
Key Criteria:
Key Criteria:
- Female
- 18-45 Years Old
- Smoke cannabis 3 or more times weekly
- Regular menses (every 25-35 days)
- Consent to remain abstinent from alcohol for 12 hours prior to study visits, and all other drugs other than cannabis or nicotine for the duration of the study
If you’re eligible, you’ll be scheduled for day 1 study procedures.
At your day 1 visit, we’ll get you set up with the supplies you’ll be using during the week, which includes downloading an app, and you’ll be randomly assigned to either take progesterone or a placebo pill. Your first dose is that evening, you’ll take it twice a day on days 2-7, and your final dose is the morning of Day 8. On Day 8, you’ll come into the office where you will give a short speech and do some math in front of a small group.
From the morning of Day 1, and until you finish procedures on Day 8, you will need to abstain from marijuana and all other substance and alcohol use. Our app will alert you when it’s time to take your medication and we will include a link to upload of video of yourself taking it. This is how we are measuring compliance. We’re measuring abstinence with saliva drug tests, twice a day on days 2-7, and those are also uploaded through the app.
Our app will also send you either stressful or neutral pictures 3 times a day and have you answer questions about stress and cannabis use. Additionally, you will collect saliva samples each morning which will need to be frozen and brought to your next appointment.
After you complete Day 8, you'll be enrolled in the study for two more weeks, but during those weeks you will just complete the sessions on the app and collect saliva samples.
At your day 1 visit, we’ll get you set up with the supplies you’ll be using during the week, which includes downloading an app, and you’ll be randomly assigned to either take progesterone or a placebo pill. Your first dose is that evening, you’ll take it twice a day on days 2-7, and your final dose is the morning of Day 8. On Day 8, you’ll come into the office where you will give a short speech and do some math in front of a small group.
From the morning of Day 1, and until you finish procedures on Day 8, you will need to abstain from marijuana and all other substance and alcohol use. Our app will alert you when it’s time to take your medication and we will include a link to upload of video of yourself taking it. This is how we are measuring compliance. We’re measuring abstinence with saliva drug tests, twice a day on days 2-7, and those are also uploaded through the app.
Our app will also send you either stressful or neutral pictures 3 times a day and have you answer questions about stress and cannabis use. Additionally, you will collect saliva samples each morning which will need to be frozen and brought to your next appointment.
After you complete Day 8, you'll be enrolled in the study for two more weeks, but during those weeks you will just complete the sessions on the app and collect saliva samples.
You will be compensated up to $1470 for your participation.
There will be no cost to participate in our research study.