# Characterization of Endocannabinoid and Endogenous Opioid Levels in Adolescents With Cannabis Use Disorder > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-disorder-biomarkers-research/ > **Published:** 2026-05-08T15:05:52-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T17:15:50-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** New research examines adolescent cannabis use disorder biomarkers in the endocannabinoid system to predict relapse and improve treatment outcomes. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #76Notable Clinical Interest  Emerging findings or policy developments worth monitoring closely. 🧪 Clinical Trial Watch  |  CED Clinic Trial ID NCT05396638 Status Recruiting Condition [Cannabis Use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) Intervention Contingency Management Why This Matters This trial addresses a critical gap in understanding how [cannabis use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/) affects developing neurochemical systems in adolescents. Identifying biomarkers that predict relapse could transform how we approach treatment and monitoring in this vulnerable population. Clinical Summary This observational study is recruiting adolescents with [cannabis use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/) to characterize endocannabinoid and endogenous opioid system changes through biomarker analysis. The trial uses contingency management as an intervention while measuring neurochemical markers to identify patterns that may distinguish youth likely to relapse from those who maintain sobriety. Participants undergo systematic assessment of endocannabinoid and opioid system function to establish baseline patterns and track changes over time. Dr. Caplan’s Take “If this research identifies reliable biomarkers for relapse risk, we could move toward personalized treatment approaches for [adolescent cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-and-anxiety-research/) disorder. Having objective measures to guide intervention intensity and predict outcomes would represent a significant advance in adolescent [addiction medicine](https://cedclinic.com/cognitive-flexibility-alcohol-cocaine-misuse-effects/).” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Families should understand this is purely observational research that won’t directly treat [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) disorder but could inform future treatment strategies. The focus on biomarker discovery means results may not be immediately applicable to clinical care, though participation contributes to crucial knowledge about adolescent brain chemistry and addiction vulnerability. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/forum/cannabis-industry/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [𝕏 Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Characterization%20of%20Endocannabinoid%20and%20Endogenous%20Opioid%20Levels%20in%20Adolescents%20...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A//clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05396638)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A//clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05396638)[🦥 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Characterization%20of%20Endocannabinoid%20and%20Endogenous%20Opioid%20Levels%20in%20Adolescents%20...%20--%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A//clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05396638)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan/)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://substack.com/@doctorapproved)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/category/cannabis-news/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05396638](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05396638) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[What is the NCT05396638 study about, and is it recruiting?](#What_is_the_NCT05396638_study_about_and_is_it_recruiting) - [What does taking part in this adolescent cannabis study involve?](#What_does_taking_part_in_this_adolescent_cannabis_study_involve) - [Why could relapse biomarkers matter for teens with cannabis use disorder?](#Why_could_relapse_biomarkers_matter_for_teens_with_cannabis_use_disorder) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ ### What is the NCT05396638 study about, and is it recruiting? It is an observational study, currently listed as recruiting, of adolescents with cannabis use disorder. Its goal is to characterize changes in the endocannabinoid and endogenous opioid systems through biomarker analysis. ### What does taking part in this adolescent cannabis study involve? Participants receive contingency management, which is listed as the study’s intervention, while researchers measure neurochemical markers. They undergo systematic assessment of endocannabinoid and opioid system function to establish baseline patterns and then track how these patterns change over time. ### Why could relapse biomarkers matter for teens with cannabis use disorder? The study aims to identify neurochemical patterns that may distinguish youth likely to relapse from those who maintain sobriety. The article notes a critical gap in understanding how cannabis use disorder affects developing neurochemical systems in adolescents, and it states that biomarkers predicting relapse could transform how treatment and monitoring are approached in this vulnerable population. [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).