Abstract
Rationale: Animal and humans studies suggest that the two main constituents of cannabis sativa, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have quite different acute effects. However, to date the two compounds have largely been studied separately.
Objective: To evaluate and compare the acute pharmacological effects of both THC and CBD in the same human volunteers.
Methods: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over, placebo controlled trial was conducted in 16 healthy male subjects. Oral THC 10 mg or CBD 600 mg or placebo was administered in three consecutive sessions, at one-month interval. Physiological measures and symptom ratings were assessed before, and at 1, 2 and 3 hours post drug administration. The area under the curve (AUC) between baseline and 3 hours, and the maximum absolute change from baseline at 2 hours were analysed by one-way repeated measures analysis of variance, with drug condition (THC or CBD or placebo) as the factor.
Results: Relative to both placebo and CBD, administration of THC was associated with anxiety, dysphoria, positive psychotic symptoms, physical and mental sedation, subjective intoxication (AUC and effect at 2 hours: p<0.01), an increase in heart rate (p<0.05). There were no differences between CBD and placebo on any symptomatic, physiological variable.
Conclusions: In healthy volunteers, THC has marked acute behavioural and physiological effects, whereas CBD has proven to be safe and well tolerated.
Keywords: Cannabis, Δ-9-THC-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, unique dose, pharmacological acute effects, humans, induced anxiety, induced psychosis, review, placebo controlled trial.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Acute Effects of a Single, Oral dose of d9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) Administration in Healthy Volunteers
Volume: 18 Issue: 32
Author(s): R. Martin-Santos, J. A. Crippa, A. Batalla, S. Bhattacharyya, Z. Atakan, S. Borgwardt, P. Allen, M. Seal, K. Langohr, M. Farre, AW. Zuardi and P. K. McGuire
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cannabis, Δ-9-THC-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, unique dose, pharmacological acute effects, humans, induced anxiety, induced psychosis, review, placebo controlled trial.
Abstract: Rationale: Animal and humans studies suggest that the two main constituents of cannabis sativa, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have quite different acute effects. However, to date the two compounds have largely been studied separately.
Objective: To evaluate and compare the acute pharmacological effects of both THC and CBD in the same human volunteers.
Methods: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over, placebo controlled trial was conducted in 16 healthy male subjects. Oral THC 10 mg or CBD 600 mg or placebo was administered in three consecutive sessions, at one-month interval. Physiological measures and symptom ratings were assessed before, and at 1, 2 and 3 hours post drug administration. The area under the curve (AUC) between baseline and 3 hours, and the maximum absolute change from baseline at 2 hours were analysed by one-way repeated measures analysis of variance, with drug condition (THC or CBD or placebo) as the factor.
Results: Relative to both placebo and CBD, administration of THC was associated with anxiety, dysphoria, positive psychotic symptoms, physical and mental sedation, subjective intoxication (AUC and effect at 2 hours: p<0.01), an increase in heart rate (p<0.05). There were no differences between CBD and placebo on any symptomatic, physiological variable.
Conclusions: In healthy volunteers, THC has marked acute behavioural and physiological effects, whereas CBD has proven to be safe and well tolerated.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Martin-Santos R., A. Crippa J., Batalla A., Bhattacharyya S., Atakan Z., Borgwardt S., Allen P., Seal M., Langohr K., Farre M., Zuardi AW. and K. McGuire P., Acute Effects of a Single, Oral dose of d9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) Administration in Healthy Volunteers, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2012; 18 (32) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212802884780
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212802884780 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Painful Peripheral Neuropathies
Current Neuropharmacology CGRP-Receptor Antagonism in Migraine Treatment
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Adult Patient with Eisenmenger Syndrome: A Medical Update after Dana Point Part II: Medical Treatment - Study Results
Current Cardiology Reviews Cold-induced Anaphylaxis: The Case of a 9-year-old Child and Review of the Literature
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Garlic for Cardiovascular Disease: Prevention or Treatment?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Diabetes: Targeting Nondipping
Current Diabetes Reviews Inhibitors of Catechol-O-methyltransferase in the Treatment of Neurological Disorders
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Microvascular Obstruction After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Prognostic Significance
Current Vascular Pharmacology Pyrrolo-isoxazole: A Key Molecule with Diverse Biological Actions
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Editorial: Limited Utility of the Handgrip Test for the Diagnosis of Diabetic Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy: “There’s Time Enough, But None to Spare”
Current Vascular Pharmacology ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas Axis in Brain: A Potential Target for Prevention and Treatment of Ischemic Stroke
Current Neuropharmacology Pathways Related to the Anti-Cancer Effects of Metabolites Derived from Cerrado Biome Native Plants: An Update and Bioinformatics Analysis on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Protein & Peptide Letters Medical Gains of Chondroitin Sulfate Upon Fucosylation
Current Medicinal Chemistry Potential Implications of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 Blockades on Neuroinflammation in SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Current Drug Targets New Targets for Treating the Underlying Pathophysiology and Nonmotor Aspects of Parkinson's Disease
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Genetic Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Tunisian Milk Waste and their Antimicrobial Activity Against some Bacteria Implicated in Nosocomial Infections
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Biological Rationale for Regular Physical Exercise as an Effective Intervention for the Prevention and Treatment of Depressive Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Carbon Monoxide and the Brain: Time to Rethink the Dogma
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cardiovascular Alterations After Spinal Cord Injury: An Overview
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents Pharmacological Characteristics of Parenteral IGF-I Administration
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology