The purpose of this study is to test whether cannabidiol (CBD) rich hemp extract oil can interfere with the reconsolidation (storage) of pathological fear memory in humans.

Preclinical experiments demonstrate that isolated cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychotomimetic constituent of the Cannabis sativa plant, disrupts reconsolidation of aversive memories conditioned in the laboratory when administered within the memory reconsolidation window (< 6 hrs. post-retrieval) by indirectly activating cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptors in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). Furthermore, background material (e.g., terpenoids) naturally present in the cannabis plant may also disrupt aversive memory reconsolidation both alone and in concert with CBD. Based on these preclinical findings, we aim to test whether administration of 300mg CBD-rich hemp extract oil following fear reactivation of an aversive interoceptive threat memory can disrupt reconsolidation of naturalistic aversive memories in humans. More specifically, naturalistic interoceptive aversive memories, a form of transdiagnostic fear memory that contributes to the pathogenesis of fear-related disorders such as panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and illness anxiety disorder.

For this proof-of-concept double-blind trial, volunteers (n=96) reporting elevated fears of somatic sensations will be stratified on biological sex and baseline levels of interoceptive fear and randomized to one of three intervention arms: (a). CBD-rich oil administered within the reconsolidation window, (b). Placebo oil administered within the reconsolidation window, or (c). CBD-rich oil administered outside of the reconsolidation window. Change in emotional reactivity to a 35% CO2 challenge from baseline to two-week follow-up will serve as our primary outcome.

Study findings may contribute towards the development of a novel ultra-brief transdiagnostic intervention guided by reconsolidation theory for individuals prone to fear-related psychiatric disorders.

Inclusion criteria include:

1. Ages 18-65
2. Fluent in English
3. Willingness to refrain from all non-study cannabis use during the study period.

Exclusion criteria include:

1. Insufficient phobicity (<50 on CO2 challenge);
2. Presence of significant suicidality;
3. History of psychosis;
4. Currently receiving exposure-based treatment;
5. Current substance use disorder;
6. Unstable psychiatric medication for a psychological condition;
7. Medical conditions contraindicating CO2 inhalation (e.g., cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac failure, asthma, lung fibrosis, high blood pressure, epilepsy, or stroke);
8. Any medical problems (e.g., liver or renal abnormalities) or medication use that would preclude ingesting CBD oil, including but not limited to currently taking blood thinners (e.g., Warfarin and some anti-epileptic medications);
9. History of an adverse reaction to CBD oil or other CBD products,
10. Coconut allergy (coconut oil is the carrier oil for CBD-rich extract)

(l) Regular cannabis use