RS-tDCS for Cannabis Use Disorder: The C.A.R.E.S. Initiative
Key facts
- Who runs it
- NYU Langone Health
- Where
- New York, United StatesSee the site
- Trial code
- Status
- Recruiting
- People taking part
- 46 people, planned
- Started
- 12 Nov 2025
- Planned end
- 1 Oct 2026
- Type of study
- Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
- Treatments tested
- Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
- Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
- Mindfulness meditation
- Record updated
- 21 April 2026
Who can take part
- Age
- 22 years to 65 years
- Sex
- Women and men
- Healthy volunteers
- Cannot take part
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 19 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- Aged 22-65 years (inclusive)
- Currently meets the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) criteria for CUD, as determined by DSM-V criteria (M.I.N.I)
- Positive for cannabis on the 11-COOH-THC single panel urine test
- Seeking treatment to reduce or discontinue cannabis use (Marijuana Ladder ranged between 5-8 [inclusive])
- Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) score < 35 (minimal to moderate distress)
- Wide Range Achievement Test-5(WRAT-5) score ≥ 85
- Ability to use mobile devices
- Fluent in English or Spanish
Who cannot take part
- Enrolled in group or individual therapy for substance use disorder that would be concurrent with the study intervention
- Presence of metal or active implants in the head/neck
- Meets DSM-V criteria for substance use disorder within the past six months for any psychoactive substance other than cannabis
- Meets DSM-V criteria for alcohol use disorder within the past six months
- Primary psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or psychotic disorder) as the principal diagnosis, independent of cannabis use disorder; or current diagnosis of bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, or any other alcohol/substance use disorder as defined by DSM-5-TR and confirmed via the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
- Primary neurologic or major medical disorder that would interfere with study participation
- History of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury
- Any skin disorder or skin sensitive area near stimulation locations
- Seizure disorder or recent (<5 years) seizure history
- Cannabis is used exclusively as prescribed or directed by their provider
- Pregnant or planning pregnancy during the study period or breastfeeding
Check if you might fit
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 22 and 65 years old?
Where in United States
- NYU Langone HealthNew York, United StatesContact: Shayna PehelTaking people
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
The purpose of this sham-controlled pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of a one-month intervention consisting of 20 home-based active or sham RS-tDCS sessions paired with audio track guided mindfulness meditation practice in otherwise healthy adults seeking to reduce cannabis use in the context of cannabis use disorder (CUD).
The 2 groups in the trial
- Active tDCSTreatment being tested
Participants will complete 20 remotely supervised (RS) daily sessions, each 20 minutes, of active dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) tDCS combined with mindfulness meditation.
Treatment: Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Mindfulness meditation
- Sham tDCSExisting treatment, for comparison
Participants will complete 20 RS sham sessions, each 20 minutes, of active DLPFC tDCS combined with mindfulness meditation.
Treatment: Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Mindfulness meditation
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorData and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- Telehealth-Delivered tDCS for Cannabis Addiction Recovery: The C.A.R.E.S. (Cannabis Addiction Recovery Enhancement Stimulation) Initiative
- Fit questions
- Built from NCT07184983, who can take part
- Record updated
- 21 April 2026