# Cannabidiol as an Adjunctive to Prolonged Exposure for the Treatment of PTSD

> **NIH VA IK2** · VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2023 · —

## Abstract

The proposed CDA-2 will include a randomized control trial to evaluate the efficacy of using
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid, as an adjunctive to exposure therapy. The
trial will compare PE+CBD to PE+placebo in a sample of 136 Veterans with PTSD at the VASDHS.
The rationale for the proposed RCT is informed by neurobiological, preclinical, and clinical research
on PTSD and cannabinoids. The study represents the logical and innovative next step for augmenting
existing treatments and developing novel pharmacotherapy for PTSD. Moreover, the proposal: 1)
aligns with the VA's patient care mission in its aim to improve treatment for Veterans with PTSD, 2)
directly addresses the VA's PTSD Psychopharmacology Initiative, and 3) addresses an area of research
that has largely been ignored by VA but is of direct relevance to multiple VA stakeholders (i.e.,
investigating the efficacy of cannabinoid treatments). Findings from the proposed RCT will inform
clinical practice and policy by investigating whether administration of CBD in the context of PE
therapy will improve treatment outcomes for Veterans with PTSD.
The proposed CDA-2 will provide the candidate with an important training opportunity to merge her
primary research interests (cannabinoid therapeutics and PTSD RCTs) and to develop specialized skill
in RCT execution that involves both behavioral and novel psychopharmacology. The candidate will be
mentored by leading experts who specialize in: PTSD treatment, psychopharmacology, RCT design,
cannabinoid administration trials, and biostatistics. The proposed work will be conducted within a
leading VA research center (VASDHS) and world-renowned research institution (UCSD School of
Medicine).
The proposed trial will also allow the candidate necessary training for achievement of her long-term
goal to become an independent researcher within VA. Scaffolded training and mentorship in RCT
design, cannabinoid psychopharmacology, biostatistics and grant writing will help propel the
candidate to independence in a cutting-edge research area. Finally, results of the trial will lay the
groundwork for future implementation studies that would attempt to determine feasibility of use of
CBD across VA clinics and determine whether implementation leads to reduced sessions of PE,
greater patient and therapist satisfaction, and lower costs to VA.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10595486
- **Project number:** 5IK2CX001769-05
- **Recipient organization:** VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Catherine Ayers
- **Activity code:** IK2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-10-01 → 2024-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10595486

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10595486, Cannabidiol as an Adjunctive to Prolonged Exposure for the Treatment of PTSD (5IK2CX001769-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10595486. Licensed CC0.

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