U of M Medical School receives $2.8M to study CBD’s potential for quitting smoking and managing stress

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (06/25/2024) — Despite efforts to help people quit smoking, many smokers face significant challenges in breaking the habit which can lead to serious health issues. Researchers have identified stress as a key factor triggering cravings in those attempting to quit.

The University of Minnesota Medical School received a $2.8 million R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a project exploring the potential of cannabidiol (CBD) — a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis — in easing stress and tobacco withdrawal symptoms. Although CBD is often marketed for stress relief, this is the first study to thoroughly investigate CBD's potential benefits during stress and during smoking withdrawal.

"Our research focuses on understanding how stress affects addictive behaviors and mental health by investigating the biological and psychological impacts of different types of stress — including daily, early life and traumatic stress," said Mustafa al’Absi, PhD, a professor at the U of M Medical School Duluth Campus and principal investigator on the project. "By studying the mechanisms underlying these effects in the body and brain, we aim to develop tailored interventions to address addiction and mental health problems.” 

The U of M study builds on previous findings that stress hormones play a significant role in predicting if someone will start smoking again after quitting. By conducting a comprehensive study with various doses of CBD, the researchers will examine its effects on stress levels in both male and female smokers. 

“Our work encompasses a range of methods, including basic laboratory research and clinical studies. Additionally, we are developing better ways to measure stress and substance use outside of lab settings, aiming to enhance data collection and treatment approaches in everyday life,” said Dr. al’Absi.

The four-year project will begin this summer, with researchers developing the study protocol and recruiting participants from Minnesota and Johns Hopkins University.

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About the University of Minnesota Medical School
The University of Minnesota Medical School is at the forefront of learning and discovery, transforming medical care and educating the next generation of physicians. Our graduates and faculty produce high-impact biomedical research and advance the practice of medicine. We acknowledge that the U of M Medical School is located on traditional, ancestral and contemporary lands of the Dakota and the Ojibwe, and scores of other Indigenous people, and we affirm our commitment to tribal communities and their sovereignty as we seek to improve and strengthen our relations with tribal nations. For more information about the U of M Medical School, please visit med.umn.edu. 

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