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Clinical trials
Novel clinical research conducted by the Lambert Initiative’s clinical team and collaborators within Australia
Our clinical team, in collaboration with expert clinicians and researchers around Australia, are focused on developing clinical evidence for cannabinoid-based therapeutics and understanding Australian community use of medicinal cannabis in a range of disease areas.
Clinical Trials
Can cannabidiol (CBD) increase exercise enjoyment and enhance exercise tolerance?
Findings from a recent pilot study conducted by the Lambert Initiative suggest that CBD may increase feelings of pleasure during exercise and alter physiological processes (e.g., oxygen consumption) in such a way that improves exercise tolerance.
While these results suggest that CBD may have potential as an exercise aid for patient populations, further investigation is required to better understand its effects.
This randomised, double- blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial will investigate the effect of CBD on exercise tolerance in twenty-five healthy individuals. Endurance-trained male and female runners will be recruited for this initial investigation.
Participants will complete three research sessions involving a controlled bout of running exercise on a treadmill (60 min), a short (30 min) recovery, and an incremental run to volitional exhaustion.
This is a collaboration between The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapuetics and Griffith University.
Chief Investigator: Professor Paul Haber (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital)
Project Coordinator: Ayshe Sahinovic (The University of Sydney)
If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact Ayshe Sahinovic (ayshe.sahinovic@sydney.edu.au)
Investigating cannabinol (the ‘sleepy’ cannabinoid) for treatment of insomnia disorder
Emerging anecdotal and preclinical evidence suggests cannabinol (CBN), an oxidative by-product of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can improve sleep. However, CBN has never been examined in isolation as treatment for insomnia disorder.
The ‘CUPID’ study is a randomised, double-blinded, crossover study to investigate the effects of CBN on sleep architecture and next-day function in patients with insomnia disorder.
Participants with insomnia disorder will undergo four overnight sleep studies, across which they will receive a low and high dose of CBN, as well as a placebo.
This is a collaboration between Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics and the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research.
Chief Investigator: Professor Brendon Yee and Dr Camilla Hoyos (Woolcock Institute of Medical Research)
Project Coordinator: Isobel Lavender (University of Sydney).
If you are interested in participating in this study, you can register your interest here.
For more information, please contact Isobel Lavender (isobel.lavender@sydney.edu.au).
Cannabidiol for chronic neuropathic pain caused by spinal cord injury
This research project will investigate the chronic pain that commonly occurs after spinal cord injury.
Using advanced brain imaging and other assessments, the project aims to:
(a) examine if 6-week treatment with CBD can reduce neuropathic pain
(b) to better understand the specific changes occurring in the brain after SCI that lead to the development of chronic neuropathic pain.
This is a collaboration between the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, the Brain and Mind Centre and the School of Medical Sciences at the University of Sydney.
Chief Investigator: Professor Luke Henderson (Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney)
Research Team: Professor Iain McGregor (Lambert Initiative, University of Sydney), Dr Elizabeth Cairns (Lambert Initiative, University of Sydney), and Dr Sachin Shetty (Prince of Wales Hospital).
Trial Coordinator: Anastasia Suraev (Lambert Initiative, University of Sydney)
PhD students: Rebecca Robertson and Fernando Tinoco (Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney)
If you are interested in participating in this study, please call 0439 804 551 or email (scan_study@sydney.edu.au).
You can also register your interest via our online pre-screening survey: https://bit.ly/SCAN_study
BUMP trial: investigating the effect of soccer heading on the brain
You may be eligible if you are:
- Between 18 and 35 years old;
- Do not have any significant health problems;
- Have at least 5 years of soccer heading experience; and are
- Willing to provide (small) blood, urine and saliva samples.
Participants will need to attend the Neuroscience Research Australia (Randwick, Sydney) to complete an initial medical screen and two research sessions (approx. 4 hours duration each).
All participants will be financially reimbursed for their time.
Please complete this form to find out if you may be eligible to participate and to register your interest in the trial.
We have a number of clinical trials that are yet to start recruiting. Check back soon for updates.
- MINI trial: CBD vs. THC/CBD in pediatric palliative care (A/Prof Anthony Herbert, QUT and Children’s Health Queensland)
- CAFTAN trial: High-dose CBD in Anorexia Nervosa (Sarah Rodan, Inside Out)
- CANARY trial: Low-dose CBD wafer in situational anxiety (Zeeta Bawa, Brain and Mind Centre)
- CANCLOZ trial: High-dose CBD in clozapine-resistant pyschosis (Prof Dan Siskind, Princess Alexandria Hospital, Brisbane)
Surveys
Cannabis use and cultivation in the Australian Capital Territory (CAN-ACT)
New cannabis laws came into effect in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in 2020, allowing residents to grow and possess small quantities of cannabis. These laws are unique within Australia and offer a unique opportunity to examine the outcomes of cannabis decriminalisation in a local community setting.
Our research team has designed an anonymous online survey to question legal artisanal cannabis users in the ACT around the details of their current medical and non-medical cannabis use.
Participants can provide a sample of their artisanal cannabis which will be analysed for cannabinoid (e.g., delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol levels) and contaminant (heavy metals, pesticides, and mycotoxins harmful to health) content, free of charge. Samples will be anonymously collected by the study courier and delivered to the University of Sydney Laboratories for analysis.
This trial is being conducted by the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University of Sydney.
Chief Investigator: Professor Iain McGregor (Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics)
Project Coordinator: Isobel Lavender (University of Sydney)
If you are an ACT resident and are interested in participating, you can complete the survey here.
For more information, please contact Isobel Lavender (isobel.lavender@sydney.edu.au).
- MED-FED Survey: Investigating medications and other drugs used by individuals with eating disorders to self-medicate (Sarah Rodan, Inside Out)
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