Effects on Humans of Δ ⁹ -Tetrahydrocannabinol Administered by Smoking

Abstract

Twelve chronic marijuana users received triangle up(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol by smoking. The magnitude of their pulse increment was highly correlated with their subjective experiences. Three of the 12 subjects subsequently received triangle up(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol labeled with carbon-14; the time course of its concentration in plasma was highly correlated with the pulse increment. Subjective symptoms, however, appeared later and dissipated more slowly.

Objective Testing of Marijuana-Induced Vision Changes

“…; the "high" rating showed an early rapid rise and a slow decline during the second and third hours after marijuana. These results suggest that the marijuana-induced lOP decrease may be associated more with the "high" than with blood TIIC as indicated by pulse rate (Galanter et al, 1972). Additional support for this notion is the return to base-line valut of both lOP and high rating at about four to five hours after marijuana.…”

“…Second, amount of marijuana experience is inversely related to IOP drop and to both subjective measures (maximum "high" rating and the 6-item SDEQ scale); marijuana experience is independent of pulse increase. Blood plasma concentration of AS-THC has been reported by Galanter et al (1972) to be highly correlated with increase in pulse rate. Doie of smoked marijuana has been feund by several investigators to be related to heart rate increase (Renault et at, 1971 ; Johnson et *1., 19711 Kiplinger ot d.. 1971).…”

Repetition, cuing, and state-dependent memory

“…The subject was instructed to inhale deeply, hold the breath for 15 sec, and repeat this process every 30 sec until the entire cigarette was consumed. Roughly 5 min were reserved for smoking, and an additional 10 min (the absorption period) for the drug to take maximum effect (see Galanter et al, 1972).…”

“…Unbeknown to the subject, but with the full knowledge of the experimenter, the marijuana contained 15 mg of d' -THC, the psychologically active component of marijuana in humans (Galanter, Wyatt, Lemberger, Weingartner, Vaughan, & Roth, 1972). The subject was instructed to inhale deeply, hold the breath for 15 sec, and repeat this process every 30 sec until the entire cigarette was consumed.…”

CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF Δ9‐TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL IN CONSCIOUS AND ANAESTHETIZED DOGS

“…Whereas A9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) consistently causes tachycardia in man regardless of the route of administration (Hollister, Richards & Gillespie, 1968;Johnson & Domino, 1971;Galanter, Wyatt, Lemberg, Weingartner, Vaughan & Roth, 1972), it is well documented that it causes bradycardia when injected intravenously in anaesthetized dogs (Dewey, Harris, Howers, Kennedy, Granchelli, Pars & Razoan, 1970;Cavero, Kubena, Dziak, Buckley & Jandhyala, 1972;Cavero, Solomon, Buckley & Jandhyala, 1973). Information concerning the cardiovascular effects of THC in conscious dogs is sparse (Dewey et al, 1972;Lahiri, Ladder & Hardman, 1972).…”