MORGANTOWN — As cannabidiol products, commonly known as CBD, become more readily available, researchers at West Virginia University are investigating how the substance affects driving performance and its effects on men. We are working to gain a broader understanding of whether this differs between men and women.
The 300-participant project expands on a 2021 pilot study conducted by WVU public health investigators.
“The study had some preliminary data that showed some differences in driving performance between men and women after taking CBD, but they didn't have a large enough sample size to really look further.” Toni Rudisill, assistant professor in the WVU School of Public Health's Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
“We want to look further to see if that relationship really exists. This will be one of the largest CBD studies in terms of number of people.”
The five-year study was supported by a $2.2 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
CBD is a compound in the hemp plant that was removed from the list of federally controlled substances as part of the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act. Products are sold over the counter in a variety of forms, including gummies, beverages, and oils. Although legal in most states, none are regulated by the FDA. Consumers reportedly use them to relax and reduce pain and anxiety.
“CBD can be purchased almost anywhere, but not much is known about CBD and how it affects individuals,” said Rudisill, who is also a scholar at the West Virginia Institute for Clinical and Translational Sciences. ” he said. “We're interested in how it affects driving performance because it has been shown to have side effects that cause sedation and drowsiness.”
In the study, researchers will look at cognitive and psychomotor functions, such as reaction time and the course of stimuli, and will compare the results of participants who took CBD with those who took a placebo.
In a laboratory setting, participants complete baseline assessments including cognitive and psychomotor tests. Participants then practice driving in a driving simulator that Rudisill describes as “a very flashy video game.” You will then be given either 300 or 150 milligrams of CBD or a placebo.
“Then they spend two hours with us, eat breakfast and go on a long drive in the simulator,” Rudisill said. “They will then retake all cognitive and psychomotor tests and complete a survey at the end of the study.”
On this interdisciplinary project, Rudisill will collaborate with Dr. Gordon Smith, Stuart M. and Joyce N. Robbins Distinguished Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health. Shijin Wen, Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health. James Mahoney, associate professor in the WVU School of Medicine's Department of Behavioral Medicine, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience, and the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, and Dr. Trea Haggerty, associate professor in the School of Medicine's Department of Family Medicine.
Rudisill said he hopes the study will benefit both researchers and consumers.
“I think this will definitely add to the scientific literature and also help people make more informed decisions about whether it's safe to drive when consuming these products. .”
