A randomised controlled trial of vaporised Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol alone and in combination in frequent and infrequent cannabis users: acute intoxication effects

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorSolowij, N.
dc.contributor.authorBroyd, S.
dc.contributor.authorGreenwood, L.M.
dc.contributor.authorvan Hell, H.
dc.contributor.authorMartelozzo, D.
dc.contributor.authorRueb, K.
dc.contributor.authorTodd, J.
dc.contributor.authorLiu, Z.
dc.contributor.authorGalettis, P.
dc.contributor.authorMartin, J.
dc.contributor.authorMurray, R.
dc.contributor.authorJones, A.
dc.contributor.authorMichie, P.T.
dc.contributor.authorCroft, R.
dc.date.issued2019
dc.description.abstractAccess to cannabis and cannabinoid products is increasing worldwide for recreational and medicinal use. Two primary compounds within cannabis plant matter, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), are both psychoactive, but only THC is considered intoxicating. There is significant interest in potential therapeutic properties of these cannabinoids and of CBD in particular. Some research has suggested that CBD may ameliorate adverse effects of THC, but this may be dose dependent as other evidence suggests possible potentiating effects of THC by low doses of CBD. We conducted a randomised placebo controlled trial to examine the acute effects of these compounds alone and in combination when administered by vaporisation to frequent and infrequent cannabis users. Participants (n = 36; 31 male) completed 5 drug conditions spaced one week apart, with the following planned contrasts: placebo vs CBD alone (400 mg); THC alone (8 mg) vs THC combined with low (4 mg) or high (400 mg) doses of CBD. Objective (blind observer ratings) and subjective (self-rated) measures of intoxication were the primary outcomes, with additional indices of intoxication examined. CBD showed some intoxicating properties relative to placebo. Low doses of CBD when combined with THC enhanced, while high doses of CBD reduced the intoxicating effects of THC. The enhancement of intoxication by low-dose CBD was particularly prominent in infrequent cannabis users and was consistent across objective and subjective measures. Most effects were significant at p < .0001. These findings are important to consider in terms of recommended proportions of THC and CBD in cannabis plant matter whether used medicinally or recreationally and have implications for novice or less experienced cannabis users.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityNadia Solowij, Samantha Broyd, Lisa, marie Greenwood, Hendrika van Hell, Dave Martelozzo, Kuna Rueb, Juanita Todd, Zheng Liu, Peter Galettis, Jennifer Martin, Robin Murray, Alison Jones, Patricia T. Michie, Rodney Croft
dc.identifier.citationEuropean Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience: official organ of the German society for biological psychiatry, 2019; 269(1):17-35
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s00406-019-00978-2
dc.identifier.issn0940-1334
dc.identifier.issn1433-8491
dc.identifier.orcidJones, A. [0000-0002-1105-6195]
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2440/139172
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/FT110100752
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1007593
dc.rights© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2019.
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-019-00978-2
dc.subjectΔ9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); Cannabidiol (CBD); Cannabis; Cannabinoids; Intoxication; Synergistic effects
dc.subject.meshHumans
dc.subject.meshCannabis
dc.subject.meshPerceptual Disorders
dc.subject.meshCannabidiol
dc.subject.meshDissociative Disorders
dc.subject.meshBlood Pressure
dc.subject.meshHeart Rate
dc.subject.meshDrug Interactions
dc.subject.meshAdolescent
dc.subject.meshAdult
dc.subject.meshMiddle Aged
dc.subject.meshFemale
dc.subject.meshMale
dc.subject.meshYoung Adult
dc.subject.meshSelf Report
dc.subject.meshCannabinoid Receptor Modulators
dc.subject.meshDronabinol
dc.subject.meshDrug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
dc.titleA randomised controlled trial of vaporised Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol alone and in combination in frequent and infrequent cannabis users: acute intoxication effects
dc.title.alternativeA randomised controlled trial of vaporised Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol alone and in combination in frequent and infrequent cannabis users: acute intoxication effects
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

Files

Collections

Psychiatry publications