Research Group „Cannabis“
Head: PD Dr. Eva Hoch
Cannabis Science is still a young scientific discipline. Only about 25 years ago, the endocannabinoid system was discovered as part of the human physiology. Since then, a scientific knowledge rapidly increased about the effects of THC, CBD and other cannabinoids, which come from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa.
Our research group has an international reputation and long experience of more than 15 years in the identification, assessment and treatment of cannabis-related disorders. We are specialized in mental, physical and social risks of herbal and synthetic cannabis use for recreational purpose. A second focus is the efficacy and safety of cannabis-based medicine for the treatment of physical and mental disorders.
Our group develops and tests interventions for prevention and treatment of cannabis use disorders. Efficacy of web- and application-based interventions is one of our research interests, too. the „Modular treatment program for cannabis use disorders (CANDIS)“. It was developed, tested and implemented in addiction-treatment centres within a translational research program (funded by the Ministry for Education and Research and the Ministry for Health). The program is used in many European countries, e.g.Germany, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Italy, Spain, Portugal and UK. It is also used in Mexico, USA, and several arabic countries. In the past 10 years over 2000 addiction experts have been trained on the CANDIS-program by our group.
Other aims and topics of the research group is the development of Treatment Practice Guidelines for Alcohol use disorders, Nicotine dependence, and cannabis use disorders. We also prepare scientific reports for the World Health Organisation, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, and several German Minstries and health institutions.
