Current research has shown evidence that phytocannabinoids may have a promising therapeutic potential in a variety of physical and psychological ailments, and cannabidiol (CBD) is of particular interest due to its positive safety profile, non-intoxicating effects and widespread capabilities in a number of musculoskeletal diseases. Three primary reasons people consume CBD on a global basis, in addition to the fact that it is non-intoxicating, are for symptomatic (pain) relief, anxiety reduction, and improved sleep quality. Very little is known about CBD and how it functions in the body from both an efficacy and mechanistic perspective, especially in humans. There is a large consumer base for this product that will be expanding exponentially in the next few years. Most of the evidence available is anecdotal from the personal testimony of consumers. We aim to determine the efficacy of a controlled short-term trial of CBD ingestion for reducing symptomatic response and facilitating recovery following induced muscle injury. In addition, we aim to identify if the effects are dose-dependent by utilizing a low-dose (25 mg/day), high-dose (62.5 mg/day) and vehicle-control (0 mg/day) ingestion regimen. We will assess, in serial fashion, symptomatic response, functional limitations and recovery of the quadriceps muscle following induced injury in which selected doses of CBD oil will be administered orally during a 15-day pre-injury consumption and post-injury recovery phase. A double-blind, randomized, three-arm study design will be used and participants will be randomly assigned to either a high dose (n=15), low dose (n=15), or vehicle control group (n=15). Our clinical outcomes include measures of muscular pain and disability along with measures of pain-related fear and anxiety. Our laboratory-based study design is desirable and advantageous because it is a controlled method of tracking individuals using an experimental model of injury that is translatable to clinical populations. Another advantage of this study design is that it will address, in parallel fashion, two of the primary reasons people are consuming CBD - symptomatic relief and anxiety reduction. This exploratory study will provide preliminary data needed to support the hypotheses of a planned larger scale application.
The study aims to determine the efficacy of a controlled short-term trial of CBD ingestion for reducing symptomatic response and facilitating recovery following induced muscle injury. A double-blind, randomized, three-arm study design will be used and participants will be randomly assigned to either a high dose (n=15), low dose (n=15), or vehicle control group (n=15). The clinical outcomes include measures of muscular pain and disability along with measures of pain-related fear and anxiety.