Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) Versus Placebo as an Adjunct to Antipsychotics in Early Psychosis

This 6-week double-blinded trial examines whether individuals in the early stages of psychosis (EP) respond to 1000 mg of endocannabinoids (CBD) with the aim of improving positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of psychosis. Researchers are exploring the possibility that CBD might reduce anxiety, and perhaps normalize biological stress response. Symptoms, eating behaviors, metabolic parameters, cannabinoid, and biomarkers of inflammation and cortisol are measured at baseline, 3 weeks and end of study in a population with a diagnosis of first episode psychosis who are stabilized on antipsychotic medication.

Principal Investigator(s)

Kristin Cadenhead, MD

Heline Mirzakhanian, Ph.D
Cris Achim, MD, Ph.D  

Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu

Aromatherapy and Healing Visual Art for Hospitalized Cancer Patient

The study aims to evaluate the feasibility and explore the potential effects of using aromatherapy and visual mindfulness as complementary therapies in patients undergoing inpatient treatment for pain and nausea. Aromatherapy involves olfactory stimulation of selected scents via a patch, and visual mindfulness involves watching curated videos by cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg.

Study analysis in progress.

Principal Investigator(s)

Jay Varughese, MD

Alice Chen, DO

Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu

Mitigating Toxic Impact: The Role of Melatonin, Coenzyme Q10, and N-Acetylcysteine in Post-Exposure Protection

This study is in development, and recruitment has not yet begun. Once approved, additional information about study goals, eligibility, and participation requirements will be shared here. In the meantime, you may contact the study team using the email address on this page for more information.

Principal Investigator(s)
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu

Plant-Based Dietary Intervention for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Patients

This study aims to determine the feasibility of a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) dietary intervention in low-risk patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Secondary outcomes explored whether adherence to a WFPB diet was associated with changes in CLL biomarkers and biomarkers and anthropometric measures of cardiometabolic health. The intervention included 8 live cooking classes, and multiple individual sessions with both a dietitian and health coach.

Principal Investigator(s)

Ariel Portera, DO

Michael Choi, MD
Melanie Fiorella, MD 

Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu

RCT of Chinese Herbs for COVID-19 Treatment

A multi-centered, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety of mQFPD as a modified form of Qing Fei Pai Du Tang (a Chinese herbal formula that has widely been used in Asia for COVID-positive outpatients with mild-to-moderate symptoms). Researchers used COVID-19 viral load, blood markers, and a 14-day symptom diary to examine the safety, feasibility, and preliminary effects of the study product versus placebo.

Principal Investigator(s)

Andrew Shubov, MD

Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD
Lan Kao, DACM, LAc

Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu

RCT of a Nutritional Intervention for Endometriosis

This study aims to determine whether increasing consumption of a Whole-Food Plant-Based (WFPB) diet is effective at improving quality of life and pain, and decreasing inflammation in women with endometriosis. Study outcomes will be measured before and after a 3-month intervention, which includes dietary counseling, education materials, recorded cooking classes, and health coaching sessions.

Study Activities

The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the effectiveness of a 3-month dietary intervention on the quality of life, pain, and inflammation in women with endometriosis. The intervention includes learning and adapting to the Whole Food Plant-Based diet. The study activities also include three visits to complete questionnaires aimed at addressing the study's clinical objectives and to provide blood samples for inflammatory biomarker analysis.

Principal Investigator(s)
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in Newborns with Breastfeeding Difficulties

This randomized, placebo-controlled study aims to determine improvements in breastfeeding difficulty of hospitalized newborns. The control group receives doctor-distributed standard educational handouts regarding breastfeeding. The intervention group receives a 30-minute Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) session, provided daily until discharge. 

This study is in development, and recruitment has not yet begun. Once approved, additional information about study goals, eligibility, and participation requirements will be shared here. In the meantime, you may contact the study team using the email address on this page for more information.

Principal Investigator(s)
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu

Time-Restricted and Healthy Eating in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A feasibility and safety study of a time-restricted, healthy eating intervention in patients undergoing liver-directed therapies for Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This twelve-month intervention will focus on prolonged nightly fasting combined with a Whole-Food Plant-Based (WFPB) diet. Successful completion of this feasibility study will provide preliminary data for a larger, appropriately powered, trial to examine effects on HCC clinical outcome.

Study Activities
  • Participants will receive nutritional counseling and health coaching on nightly fasting and healthy eating habits throughout the 12-month study.
  • They will wear a continuous glucose monitor and an accelerometer for a total of two weeks, follow a whole food, plant-based eating plan, attend four clinic visits in La Jolla, and complete assessments and questionnaires. Participants will also track their eating times daily in the Guava health tracker app.
Participant Benefits

While direct health benefits cannot be guaranteed, prolonged nightly fasting could improve sleep, stabilize blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and enhance metabolic health. Eligible participants who complete all study visits and requirements may receive up to $200 in compensation.

Eligibility Criteria

Participants must be 18 years or older, have a BMI greater than 27 kg/m², currently practice nightly fasting of less than 12 hours, and be diagnosed with early or mid-stage liver cancer referred for liver-directed therapy.

Additional Information

Additional eligibility requirements may be reviewed with the study coordinator, please contact us for screening.

Principal Investigator(s)

Nicholas Webster, PhD

Isabel Newton, MD 

Study Duration
12 months
Study Compensation
Up to $200
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
619-929-0828