Can a Cannabis-Derived drug ease pain without raising opioid risks?

NCT ID NCT04025359

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-phase trial at Yale tests whether dronabinol (Marinol), a synthetic form of THC, can reduce pain sensitivity and improve attention and mood in 36 adults with opioid use disorder who are stable on methadone or buprenorphine. Participants receive either 2.5 mg, 5 mg of dronabinol, or a placebo before their daily opioid dose. The study measures pain via cold and heat tests, questionnaires, and cognitive tasks, with a one-week follow-up for safety.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Dronabinol (Marinol)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a way to manage pain in people on opioid maintenance therapy without increasing opioid use.

What could go wrong

This is a very small, early-phase study with only 36 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Dronabinol can cause side effects like dizziness or confusion.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for PAIN are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

opiate dependence Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-••••

Locations

  • VA Connecticut Healthcare System

    RECRUITING

    West Haven, Connecticut, 06516, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••