Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Cannabis Use Disorder (NCT05859347)
Development of a Novel, Scalable, Neurobiologically-Guided Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Protocol for the Treatment of Cannabis Use Disorder
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
There has been a considerable rise in cannabis consumption in recent years, with estimates of 200 million individual users globally. Importantly, 3% of these individuals have cannabis use disorder (CUD), with this prevalence increasing to 33% amongst regular users, making it one of the most common substances use disorders (SUDs) worldwide. CUD is associated with substantial health, societal, and economic costs, and worsening of other psychiatric disorders. Despite this clinical burden, effective treatment options are limited. No pharmacological treatments have emerged as clearly efficacious, and psychotherapeutic interventions have shown tempered results. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain-based approach in which alternating magnetic fields are applied to the scalp to induce electrical currents in cortical tissue. As it can modulate neural circuits implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders, it is a promising brain-based approach in the treatment of addictions. Evidence has indicated its efficacy in reducing drug craving and consumption across numerous SUDs, although research into cannabis has been largely unexplored. Recently, a novel circular rTMS coil, the MagVenture MMC-140, has been developed with the capacity to modulate both the bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and insula, both of which are implicated in the neurocircuitry of craving and executive function. As such, it shows potential for CUD treatment. This proof-of-concept clinical trial will evaluate the feasibility and tolerability of a 4-week course of rTMS to the PFC/insula using MMC-140 as a treatment for CUD. Feasibility of both high frequency (HF; excitatory) and low frequency (LF; inhibitory) stimulation parameters will be evaluated. In addition, pre/post rTMS changes in cannabis use outcomes (e.g., consumption, craving, and withdrawal), executive function, and PFC/insula functional connectivity will be explored. By comprehensively investigating clinical, cognitive, and neuroimaging effects of rTMS, this study could pave the way for the first brain-based intervention in CUD that could be widely adopted into clinical settings using a novel, cost-effective and accessible rTMS device.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (8 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (8 items).
Location: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health — Toronto, Ontario
Age range: 18 Years to 65 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant or intending to be pregnant during the study
- Diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, or other active concurrent psychiatric disorder that is too unstable and may preclude safe participation in the trial as deemed by the PI.
- Substance use disorder other than cannabis or nicotine, that is of moderate severity or greater, or is the primary substance of concern based on the SCID for DSM-5
- Known active seizure disorder, significant head injury with an imaging verified lesion
- Unstable medical illness
- Presence of cardiac pacemaker, intracranial implant, or metal in the cranium
- Participants taking \> 2 mg lorazepam (or a benzodiazepine at an equivalent dose) or taking any anticonvulsant medication during treatment.
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health — Toronto, Ontario
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (416) 535-8501
Email: victor.tang@camh.ca
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
More studies in Cannabis Use Disorder
- SV2A Density Cannabis Use Disorder — New Haven, Connecticut
- Cannabidiol and Cannabis Concentrate Users — Aurora, Colorado
- RS-tDCS for Cannabis Use Disorder: The C.A.R.E.S. Initiative — New York, New York
- A Brief Intervention for Cannabis Use — Charleston, South Carolina
- SCORE Emerging Adult Cannabis Use & Stress — Charleston, South Carolina
Explore by condition: All Cannabis Use Disorder clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.