Effect of oxytocin on craving and stress response in marijuana-dependent individuals: a pilot study.

McRae-Clark AL, Baker NL, Maria MM, Brady KT

Psychopharmacology6 Apr 2013Cited by 111 (Europe PMC)

PMID23564179PMCIDPMC3729589DOI10.1007/s00213-013-3062-4PepBankPUB-23564179

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study4

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. 4 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In marijuana-dependent adults, oxytocin reduced the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire total score from before to after the Trier Social Stress Task.
In plain wordsIn people dependent on marijuana, oxytocin lowered craving scores from before to after a stress task, compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseMarijuana craving (MCQ total score) change across the TSST
Study
n = 16
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Addiction, withdrawal and alcohol intake · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
40 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Oxytocin reduced both MCQ total score and DHEA levels from before to after the TSST
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In a laboratory setting, baseline measurements of craving (assessed using the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire; MCQ), salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), stress, and anxiety were collected in 16 participants (age 19-40) meeting DSM-IV criteria for marijuana dependence.
Summary · context
Participants were then administered either oxytocin 40 IU (n = 8) or placebo (n = 8) nasal spray prior to completion of the Trier Social Stress Task (TSST).
Report a problemFND-2356417901
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In marijuana-dependent adults, oxytocin reduced salivary DHEA levels from before to after the Trier Social Stress Task.
In plain wordsIn people dependent on marijuana, oxytocin lowered the stress hormone DHEA from before to after a stress task, compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseSalivary DHEA change across the TSST
Study
n = 16
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
40 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Oxytocin reduced both MCQ total score and DHEA levels from before to after the TSST.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In a laboratory setting, baseline measurements of craving (assessed using the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire; MCQ), salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), stress, and anxiety were collected in 16 participants (age 19-40) meeting DSM-IV criteria for marijuana dependence.
Summary · context
Participants were then administered either oxytocin 40 IU (n = 8) or placebo (n = 8) nasal spray prior to completion of the Trier Social Stress Task (TSST).
Report a problemFND-2356417902
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In marijuana-dependent adults, oxytocin decreased anxiety compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn people dependent on marijuana, oxytocin lowered anxiety compared with placebo in a small pilot study.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseAnxiety
Study
n = 16
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
40 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
It also decreased anxiety, but not subjective stress ratings.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In a laboratory setting, baseline measurements of craving (assessed using the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire; MCQ), salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), stress, and anxiety were collected in 16 participants (age 19-40) meeting DSM-IV criteria for marijuana dependence.
Summary · context
Participants were then administered either oxytocin 40 IU (n = 8) or placebo (n = 8) nasal spray prior to completion of the Trier Social Stress Task (TSST).
Report a problemFND-2356417903
04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In marijuana-dependent adults, oxytocin did not decrease subjective stress ratings.
In plain wordsIn people dependent on marijuana, oxytocin did not lower self-rated stress compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeSubjective stress ratings
Study
n = 16
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
40 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
but not subjective stress ratings.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In a laboratory setting, baseline measurements of craving (assessed using the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire; MCQ), salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), stress, and anxiety were collected in 16 participants (age 19-40) meeting DSM-IV criteria for marijuana dependence.
Summary · context
Participants were then administered either oxytocin 40 IU (n = 8) or placebo (n = 8) nasal spray prior to completion of the Trier Social Stress Task (TSST).
Report a problemFND-2356417904

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 01:30 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:49 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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