Cannabinoid Encyclopedia

How research is judged

What does RCT mean?

Randomized controlled trial; one study-design term used in evidence summaries. 1

Also called: controlled trial, randomised controlled trial, randomized controlled trial

Simple definition

RCT, in plain English

Randomized controlled trial; one study-design term used in evidence summaries. 1

Why it matters

How this word is used in cannabinoid research

This term tells you what kind of research you are reading. It helps separate stronger human evidence from early or indirect evidence.

How to read it

Use the term to understand the study, then open the source before drawing a conclusion.

Do not confuse this with

Common questions

Questions people ask

What does RCT mean?

Randomized controlled trial; one study-design term used in evidence summaries.

Why does RCT matter?

This term tells you what kind of research you are reading. It helps separate stronger human evidence from early or indirect evidence.

Is RCT proof that a cannabinoid works?

No. A definition helps explain the language. The related research pages and their sources show what was actually studied.

Sources

Research connected to this term

Definitions explain the word. These links show research records currently connected with it.

  1. 1
    A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the safety and effects of CBN with and without CBD on sleep quality preliminary human PubMed 37796540
  2. 2
    A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Effectiveness and Safety of Melatonin and Three Formulations of Floraworks Proprietary TruCBN for Improving Sleep preliminary human PubMed 39204082
  3. 3
    Cannabinol for acute treatment of insomnia disorder in a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial preliminary human PubMed 41698831
  4. 4
    Cannabinol (CBN; 30 and 300 mg) effects on sleep and next-day function in insomnia disorder ('CUPID' study): protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, three-arm, proof-of-concept trial. insufficient PubMed 37612115
  5. 5
    Evaluation of the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of nanodispersible cannabidiol oral solution (150 mg/mL) versus placebo in mild to moderate anxiety subjects: A double blind multicenter randomized clinical trial. preliminary human PubMed 38797087
  6. 6
    Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol-rich cannabis extract in children with autism spectrum disorder: randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. preliminary human PubMed 35617670
See all 43 connected research sources
  1. 1
    A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the safety and effects of CBN with and without CBD on sleep quality preliminary human PubMed 37796540
  2. 2
    A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Effectiveness and Safety of Melatonin and Three Formulations of Floraworks Proprietary TruCBN for Improving Sleep preliminary human PubMed 39204082
  3. 3
    Cannabinol for acute treatment of insomnia disorder in a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial preliminary human PubMed 41698831
  4. 4
    Cannabinol (CBN; 30 and 300 mg) effects on sleep and next-day function in insomnia disorder ('CUPID' study): protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, three-arm, proof-of-concept trial. insufficient PubMed 37612115
  5. 5
    Evaluation of the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of nanodispersible cannabidiol oral solution (150 mg/mL) versus placebo in mild to moderate anxiety subjects: A double blind multicenter randomized clinical trial. preliminary human PubMed 38797087
  6. 6
    Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol-rich cannabis extract in children with autism spectrum disorder: randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. preliminary human PubMed 35617670
  7. 7
    A Phase I, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Single Ascending Dose, Multiple Dose, and Food Effect Trial of the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Highly Purified Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects. mechanistic or pharmacological PubMed 30374683
  8. 8
    Cannabidiol for moderate-severe insomnia: a randomized controlled pilot trial of 150 mg of nightly dosing. preliminary human PubMed 38174873
  9. 9
    Cannabidiol for Scan-Related Anxiety in Women With Advanced Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. preliminary human PubMed 39680411
  10. 10
    Effect of Preoperative Oral Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis Extract on Anxiety and Postoperative Pain after Endodontic Treatment: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. preliminary human PubMed 39505200
  11. 11
    Oral Cannabis Extract for Secondary Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Final Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase II/III Trial. preliminary human PubMed 39151115
  12. 12
    Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabivarin on Glycemic and Lipid Parameters in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Pilot Study. mechanistic or pharmacological PubMed 27573936
  13. 13
    Balancing risks and benefits of cannabis use: umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and observational studies. insufficient PubMed 37648266
  14. 14
    Effectiveness of a Cannabinoids Supplement on Sleep and Mood in Adults With Subthreshold Insomnia: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Trial. preliminary human PubMed 39980821
  15. 15
    Modulation of striatal functional connectivity differences in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder in a single-dose randomized trial of cannabidivarin. preliminary human PubMed 34210360
  16. 16
    A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-dose pilot study of the safety, tolerability, and preliminary effects of a cannabidiol (CBD)- and cannabigerol (CBG)-based beverage powder to support recovery from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). preliminary human PubMed 37947792
  17. 17
    The Safety and Comparative Effectiveness of Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoid Formulations for the Improvement of Sleep: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial. preliminary human PubMed 37162192
  18. 18
    Cannabinoid treatment for autism: a proof-of-concept randomized trial. mechanistic or pharmacological PubMed 33536055
  19. 19
    Cannabidiol and Liver Enzyme Level Elevations in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial. preliminary human PubMed 40622698
  20. 20
    Add-on Cannabidiol Treatment for Drug-Resistant Seizures in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial. preliminary human PubMed 33346789
  21. 21
    Cannabis-Based Medicine for Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity-A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial. preliminary human PubMed 37630995
  22. 22
    High-dose cannabidiol for chronic neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury: a randomised clinical trial. preliminary human PubMed 42256679
  23. 23
    Nabiximols in Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. insufficient PubMed 33561282
  24. 24
    Cannabinoids as a Natural Alternative for the Management of Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. insufficient PubMed 39445260
  25. 25
    Medicinal cannabis improves sleep in adults with insomnia: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. preliminary human PubMed 36539991
  26. 26
    Effects of a cannabidiol/terpene formulation on sleep in individuals with insomnia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study. preliminary human PubMed 39167421
  27. 27
    The effect of nightly use of 150 mg cannabidiol on daytime neurocognitive performance in primary insomnia: a randomized controlled pilot trial. preliminary human PubMed 39153080
  28. 28
    Acute Effects of Oral Cannabinoids on Sleep and High-Density EEG in Insomnia: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial. preliminary human PubMed 40631525
  29. 29
    Effectiveness of cannabinoids on subjective sleep quality in people with and without insomnia or poor sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised studies. insufficient PubMed 40929927
  30. 30
    Evaluating possible 'next day' impairment in insomnia patients administered an oral medicinal cannabis product by night: a pilot randomized controlled trial. preliminary human PubMed 38758300
  31. 31
    Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. preliminary human PubMed 29395273
  32. 32
    Randomized, dose-ranging safety trial of cannabidiol in Dravet syndrome. mechanistic or pharmacological PubMed 29540584
  33. 33
    Pharmacotherapy for Dravet Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. insufficient PubMed 37695433
  34. 34
    An experimental randomized study on the analgesic effects of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis in chronic pain patients with fibromyalgia. mechanistic or pharmacological PubMed 30585986
  35. 35
    Ingestion of a THC-Rich Cannabis Oil in People with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. preliminary human PubMed 33118602
  36. 36
    Cannabidiol-Enriched Extract Oil for Postoperative Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain Secondary to Endometriosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial-DREAMLAND Study. preliminary human PubMed 42261989
  37. 37
    Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) impairs visual working memory performance: a randomized crossover trial. preliminary human PubMed 32386395
  38. 38
    Comparison of orally administered cannabis extract and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in treating patients with cancer-related anorexia-cachexia syndrome: a multicenter, phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial from the Cannabis-In-Cachexia-Study-Group. preliminary human PubMed 16849753
  39. 39
    Cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for chronic insomnia disorder ('CANSLEEP' trial): protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, proof-of-concept trial. preliminary human PubMed 32430450
  40. 40
    Acute effects of cannabigerol on anxiety, stress, and mood: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, field trial. insufficient PubMed 39003387
  41. 41
    A Two-Phase, Dose-Ranging, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Safety and Preliminary Test of Acute Effects of Oral Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabivarin in Healthy Participants. preliminary human PubMed 37721990
  42. 42
    The effect of five day dosing with THCV on THC-induced cognitive, psychological and physiological effects in healthy male human volunteers: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover pilot trial. mechanistic or pharmacological PubMed 26577065
  43. 43
    Investigation the effect of oleoylethanolamide supplementation on the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila bacterium and the dietary intakes in people with obesity: A randomized clinical trial. insufficient PubMed 31132422