BOOSTCAMP: Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on trauma symptoms, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality

Introduction

Approximately 10% of military personnel experience anxiety, trauma, and stressor-related disorders. Research also shows that police officers, firefighters, and paramedics are at increased risk of developing anxiety, trauma, and stress-related symptoms due to frequent exposure to stressful situations at work. Before a suitable treatment can start, there is often a waiting period and one or more intake interviews. Although these waiting times for Dutch military personnel and veterans are relatively short, implementing treatments during the waiting period can help alleviate symptoms.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a role in anxiety, stress reactivity, and sleep problems. Improvement of the ECS is possible by stimulating the endogenous cannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) with cannabidiol (CBD). This can help alleviate symptoms such as anxiety and sleep problems and prevent the worsening of symptoms in patients awaiting treatment.

BOOSTCAMP is a clinical, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving Dutch uniformed personnel. Participants receive three times daily CBD (200 mg; oral capsules) or a placebo for a period of two weeks. The primary outcome measure of this study focuses on anxiety symptoms, measured before and after the two weeks of medication administration. To assess the long-term effects of CBD, this measurement is repeated after three months.

Secondary outcome measures include the effects on anxiety extinction, extinction consolidation, sleep quality, and stress regulation. These are measured before and after the two-week administration of CBD or placebo. Sleep is monitored daily with an Actiwatch during the two weeks of the study. Finally, blood samples are taken before and after the two-week study period to determine AEA, 2-AG, and CBD levels.

Project Overview

Objective:

1. To investigate the effects of CBD for reducing anxiety symptoms.
2. Additional objectives are to investigate the effects of CBD fear conditioning, stress regulation and sleep.

Target population:

Dutch uniformed personnel (including military personnel, veterans, (former) police officers, firefighters, and paramedics) between the age of 18 and 65 years who experience anxiety symptoms, which is potentially related to anxiety or trauma- and stressor-related disorders.

Timeframe:

The study started in September 2021. The expected duration is 4 years.

Results:

Results of the study are expected by the beginning of 2026.