# Examining tDCS Effect on Cannabis Use Disorder in Patients With Schizophrenia > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/tdcs-cannabis-use-disorder-schizophrenia-treatment-trial/ > **Published:** 2026-05-08T15:06:10-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T17:15:45-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Clinical trial examining tDCS cannabis use disorder schizophrenia treatment targeting brain circuits for addiction and cognitive control in dual diagnosis patie --- CED Clinical Relevance  #76Notable Clinical Interest  Emerging findings or policy developments worth monitoring closely. 🧪 Clinical Trial Watch  |  CED Clinic Trial ID NCT04871048 Status Recruiting Condition Schizophrenia Intervention Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) active Why This Matters [Cannabis use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/) affects up to 40% of patients with schizophrenia, yet standard addiction treatments show limited efficacy in this vulnerable population. This trial addresses a critical therapeutic gap where [dual diagnosis](https://cedclinic.com/relational-motivation-substance-use-recovery/) patients often experience worsened psychotic symptoms and medication non-adherence. Clinical Summary This randomized controlled trial is recruiting 110 patients with schizophrenia and [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) disorder to receive 10 sessions of targeted transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The intervention applies anodal stimulation to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and cathodal stimulation to the medial prefrontal cortex, targeting brain regions involved in executive control and reward processing. Primary endpoints include cannabis consumption reduction, with secondary measures of craving intensity, addiction severity, psychotic symptoms, and global functioning. Dr. Caplan’s Take “If successful, this non-invasive neuromodulation approach could provide a much-needed adjunctive treatment for patients where traditional addiction therapies have fallen short. The targeted stimulation protocol represents a sophisticated understanding of the neurobiological overlap between addiction and psychotic disorders.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Patients considering participation should understand this is experimental neuromodulation requiring multiple clinic visits over several weeks. Clinicians should note that tDCS has an established safety profile in psychiatric populations, though efficacy for [cannabis use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/) in schizophrenia remains investigational. 💬 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%20Examining%20tDCS%20Effect%20on%20Cannabis%20Use%20Disorder%20in%20Patients%20With%20Schizophrenia%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A//clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04871048)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A//clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04871048)[🦥 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Examining%20tDCS%20Effect%20on%20Cannabis%20Use%20Disorder%20in%20Patients%20With%20Schizophrenia%20--%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A//clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04871048)[📷 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/NCT04871048](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04871048) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[Who is this tDCS trial for cannabis use disorder enrolling?](#Who_is_this_tDCS_trial_for_cannabis_use_disorder_enrolling) - [What does the tDCS treatment involve in this trial?](#What_does_the_tDCS_treatment_involve_in_this_trial) - [What outcomes will the tDCS trial measure?](#What_outcomes_will_the_tDCS_trial_measure) - [Has this trial shown that tDCS reduces cannabis use?](#Has_this_trial_shown_that_tDCS_reduces_cannabis_use) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ ### Who is this tDCS trial for cannabis use disorder enrolling? The trial plans to enroll 110 patients who have both schizophrenia and [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) disorder. It is designed as a randomized controlled trial and is registered under the trial ID NCT04871048. The summary does not list further eligibility details. ### What does the tDCS treatment involve in this trial? Participants receive 10 sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation. The protocol applies anodal stimulation to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and cathodal stimulation to the medial prefrontal cortex, targeting brain regions involved in executive control and reward processing. ### What outcomes will the tDCS trial measure? The primary endpoint is a reduction in cannabis consumption. Secondary measures are craving intensity, addiction severity, psychotic symptoms and global functioning. Together these cover cannabis use itself, related addiction features, and the psychotic symptoms and functioning of participants. ### Has this trial shown that tDCS reduces cannabis use? Not yet. The trial’s status is listed as recruiting, and no results are reported. Until results are available, whether tDCS reduces cannabis use in people with schizophrenia remains an open question that this trial is designed to address. [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).