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Bershad AK, de Wit H. Social Psychopharmacology: Novel Approaches to Treat Deficits in Social Motivation in Schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:1161-1173. [PMID: 37358825 PMCID: PMC10483474 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Diminished social motivation is a negative symptom of schizophrenia and leads to severe functional consequences for many patients suffering from the illness. However, there are no effective medications available to treat this symptom. Despite the lack of approved treatments for patients, there is a growing body of literature on the effects of several classes of drugs on social motivation in healthy volunteers that may be relevant to patients. The aim of this review is to synthesize these results in an effort to identify novel directions for the development of medications to treat reduced social motivation in schizophrenia. STUDY DESIGN In this article, we review pharmacologic challenge studies addressing the acute effects of psychoactive drugs on social motivation in healthy volunteers and consider how these findings may be applied to deficits in social motivation in schizophrenia. We include studies testing amphetamines and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), opioids, cannabis, serotonergic psychedelics, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and neuropeptides. STUDY RESULTS We report that amphetamines, MDMA, and some opioid medications enhance social motivation in healthy adults and may represent promising avenues of investigation in schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS Given the acute effects of these drugs on behavioral and performance-based measures of social motivation in healthy volunteers, they may be particularly beneficial as an adjunct to psychosocial training programs in patient populations. It remains to be determined how these medications affect patients with deficits in social motivation, and in which contexts they may be most effectively administered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya K Bershad
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Los Angeles, CAUSA
| | - Harriet de Wit
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, ILUSA
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2
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Vogel AP, Pearson-Dennett V, Magee M, Wilcox RA, Esterman A, Thewlis D, White JM, Todd G. Adults with a history of recreational cannabis use have altered speech production. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 227:108963. [PMID: 34419853 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Stereotypical depictions of speech in cannabis users often suggest slow, laboured output, yet objective evidence supporting this assumption is extremely limited. We know that depressants or hallucinogenic drugs such as cannabis can cause acute changes in communication and speech rate, but the long-lasting effects of cannabis use on speech are not well described. The aim of this study was to investigate speech in individuals with a history of recreational cannabis use compared to non-drug-using healthy controls. Speech samples were collected from a carefully described cohort of 31 adults with a history of cannabis use (but not use of illicit stimulant drugs) and 40 non-drug-using controls. Subjects completed simple and complex speech tasks including a monologue, a sustained vowel, saying the days of the week, and reading a phonetically balanced passage. Audio samples were analysed objectively using acoustic analysis for measures of timing, vocal control, and quality. Subtle differences in speech timing, vocal effort, and voice quality may exist between cannabis and control groups, however data remain equivocal. After controlling for lifetime alcohol and tobacco use and applying a false discovery rate, only spectral tilt (vocal effort and intensity) differed between groups and appeared to change in line with duration of abstinence from cannabis use. Differences between groups may reflect longer term changes to the underlying neural control of speech. Our digital analysis of speech shows there may be a signal differentiating individuals with a history of recreational cannabis use from healthy controls, in line with similar findings from gait and hand function studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam P Vogel
- Centre for Neuroscience of Speech, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Department of Neurodegeneration, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany; Redenlab, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Verity Pearson-Dennett
- UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Michelle Magee
- Centre for Neuroscience of Speech, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Redenlab, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robert A Wilcox
- UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia; Department of Neurology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia; Human Physiology, Medical School, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Adrian Esterman
- UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia; Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Dominic Thewlis
- Centre for Orthopaedic & Trauma Research, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Jason M White
- UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Gabrielle Todd
- UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia; Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
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3
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Palma-Álvarez RF, Soriano-Dia A, Ros-Cucurull E, Daigre C, Serrano-Pérez P, Ortega-Hernández G, Perea-Ortueta M, Gurrea Salas D, Ramos-Quiroga JA, Grau-López L. Catatonia Related to Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids: A Review. J Dual Diagn 2021; 17:159-171. [PMID: 33902405 DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2021.1904163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids (SC) are related to several neuropsychiatric symptoms and disorders, especially psychotic symptoms and disorders. Interestingly, catatonia-like symptoms associated with cannabis and SC have been generally neglected in research and scarcely described despite the clinical repercussions. Hence, this review aims to analyze current clinical publications on catatonia induced by cannabis or SC in a systematized way. Methods: A search using PRISMA guidelines was performed on three databases based on a specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: 11 publications describing 14 patients (10 males; mean age 22.50 ± 6.67 years old) with catatonia apparently precipitated by the use of cannabis (n = 6) or SC (n = 8) were found. Clinical features and treatment are described and discussed. Conclusion: From a clinical perspective, cannabis and SC use may be related to catatonia-like symptoms and catatonia syndrome in the same way these substances (cannabis and SC) are related to induced-psychotic episodes. However, further research will be required to understand the exact nature of that relationship. Additionally, investigations focused on the clinical significance (i.e., prognosis, evolution, and outcomes) of catatonia-like symptoms induced by cannabis and SC use in patients are also needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Felipe Palma-Álvarez
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Soriano-Dia
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Ros-Cucurull
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Constanza Daigre
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Serrano-Pérez
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Germán Ortega-Hernández
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.,Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Perea-Ortueta
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.,Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Josep-Antoni Ramos-Quiroga
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lara Grau-López
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Group of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Kelly TH, Foltin RW, Fischman MW. The Influence of Social Context and Absence of Marijuana Effects on Human Cooperative Behavior. PSYCHOLOGICAL RECORD 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03399617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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5
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Considering the context: social factors in responses to drugs in humans. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:935-945. [PMID: 29470605 PMCID: PMC5871591 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4854-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drugs are typically used in social settings. Here, we consider two factors that may contribute to this observation: (i) the presence of other people may enhance the positive mood effects of a drug, and conversely, (ii) drugs may enhance the value of social stimuli. METHODS We review evidence from controlled laboratory studies with human volunteers, which investigated either of these interactions between social factors and responses to drugs. We examine the bidirectional effects of social stimuli and single doses of alcohol, stimulants, opioids, and cannabis. RESULTS All four classes of drugs interact with social contexts, but the nature of these interactions varies across drugs, and depends on whether the context is positive or negative. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol and stimulant drugs enhance the attractiveness of social stimuli and the desire to socialize, and social contexts, in turn, enhance these drugs' effects. In contrast, opioids and cannabis have subtler effects on social interactions and their effects are less influenced by the presence of others. Overall, there is stronger evidence that drugs enhance positive social contexts than that they dampen the negativity of unpleasant social settings. Controlled research is needed to understand the interactions between drugs of abuse and social contexts, to model and understand the determinants of drug use outside the laboratory.
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6
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Wei D, Allsop S, Tye K, Piomelli D. Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Control of Social Behavior. Trends Neurosci 2017; 40:385-396. [PMID: 28554687 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 04/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Many mammalian species, including humans, exhibit social behavior and form complex social groups. Mechanistic studies in animal models have revealed important roles for the endocannabinoid signaling system, comprising G protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous lipid-derived agonists, in the control of neural processes that underpin social anxiety and social reward, two key aspects of social behavior. An emergent insight from these studies is that endocannabinoid signaling in specific circuits of the brain is context dependent and selectively recruited. These insights open new vistas on the neural basis of social behavior and social impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don Wei
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Stephen Allsop
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kay Tye
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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7
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A window into the intoxicated mind? Speech as an index of psychoactive drug effects. Neuropsychopharmacology 2014; 39:2340-8. [PMID: 24694926 PMCID: PMC4138742 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Abused drugs can profoundly alter mental states in ways that may motivate drug use. These effects are usually assessed with self-report, an approach that is vulnerable to biases. Analyzing speech during intoxication may present a more direct, objective measure, offering a unique 'window' into the mind. Here, we employed computational analyses of speech semantic and topological structure after ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 'ecstasy') and methamphetamine in 13 ecstasy users. In 4 sessions, participants completed a 10-min speech task after MDMA (0.75 and 1.5 mg/kg), methamphetamine (20 mg), or placebo. Latent Semantic Analyses identified the semantic proximity between speech content and concepts relevant to drug effects. Graph-based analyses identified topological speech characteristics. Group-level drug effects on semantic distances and topology were assessed. Machine-learning analyses (with leave-one-out cross-validation) assessed whether speech characteristics could predict drug condition in the individual subject. Speech after MDMA (1.5 mg/kg) had greater semantic proximity than placebo to the concepts friend, support, intimacy, and rapport. Speech on MDMA (0.75 mg/kg) had greater proximity to empathy than placebo. Conversely, speech on methamphetamine was further from compassion than placebo. Classifiers discriminated between MDMA (1.5 mg/kg) and placebo with 88% accuracy, and MDMA (1.5 mg/kg) and methamphetamine with 84% accuracy. For the two MDMA doses, the classifier performed at chance. These data suggest that automated semantic speech analyses can capture subtle alterations in mental state, accurately discriminating between drugs. The findings also illustrate the potential for automated speech-based approaches to characterize clinically relevant alterations to mental state, including those occurring in psychiatric illness.
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8
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Bardo MT, Neisewander JL, Kelly TH. Individual differences and social influences on the neurobehavioral pharmacology of abused drugs. Pharmacol Rev 2013; 65:255-90. [PMID: 23343975 PMCID: PMC3565917 DOI: 10.1124/pr.111.005124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction of drugs with biologic targets is a critical area of research, particularly for the development of medications to treat substance use disorders. In addition to understanding these drug-target interactions, however, there is a need to understand more fully the psychosocial influences that moderate these interactions. The first section of this review introduces some examples from human behavioral pharmacology that illustrate the clinical importance of this research. The second section covers preclinical evidence to characterize some of the key individual differences that alter drug sensitivity and abuse vulnerability, related primarily to differences in response to novelty and impulsivity. Evidence is presented to indicate that critical neuropharmacological mechanisms associated with these individual differences involve integrated neurocircuits underlying stress, reward, and behavioral inhibitory processes. The third section covers social influences on drug abuse vulnerability, including effects experienced during infancy, adolescence, and young adulthood, such as maternal separation, housing conditions, and social interactions (defeat, play, and social rank). Some of the same neurocircuits involved in individual differences also are altered by social influences, although the precise neurochemical and cellular mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated fully. Finally, some speculation is offered about the implications of this research for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T Bardo
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, BBSRB Room 447, 741 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536-0509, USA.
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9
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Zuurman L, Ippel AE, Moin E, van Gerven JMA. Biomarkers for the effects of cannabis and THC in healthy volunteers. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2009; 67:5-21. [PMID: 19133057 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2008.03329.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of novel therapeutic agents are targeted at cannabinoid receptors. Drug development programmes of new cannabinoid drugs may be facilitated by the identification of useful biomarkers. This systemic literature review aims to assess the usefulness of direct biomarkers for the effects of cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in healthy volunteers. One hundred and sixty-five useful articles were found that investigated the acute effects of cannabis or THC on the central nervous system (CNS) and heart rate in healthy volunteers. Three hundred and eighteen tests (or test variants) were grouped in test clusters and functional domains, to allow their evaluation as a useful biomarker and to study their dose-response effects. Cannabis/THC affected a wide range of CNS domains. In addition to heart rate, subjective effects were the most reliable biomarkers, showing significant responses to cannabis in almost all studies. Some CNS domains showed indications of depression at lower and stimulation at higher doses. Subjective effects and heart rate are currently the most reliable biomarkers to study the effect of cannabis. Cannabis affects most CNS domains, but too many different CNS tests are used to quantify the drug-response relationships reliably. Test standardization, particularly in motor and memory domains, may reveal additional biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lineke Zuurman
- Centre for Human Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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10
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Green B, Kavanagh D, Young R. Being stoned: a review of self-reported cannabis effects. Drug Alcohol Rev 2004; 22:453-60. [PMID: 14660135 DOI: 10.1080/09595230310001613976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Although there has been considerable research into the adverse effects of cannabis, less attention has been directed toward subjective effects that may be associated with ongoing cannabis use. Examination of self-reported cannabis effects is an important issue in understanding the widespread use of cannabis. While reviews have identified euphoria as a primary factor in maintaining cannabis use, relaxation is the effect reported most commonly in naturalistic studies of cannabis users, irrespective of the method used. Self-reported effects in 12 naturalistic and 18 laboratory studies were compared. Regardless of methodology there was considerable variation in the effects experienced. Variation has been reported in terms of opposite effects being experienced by different individuals, variation of effects by individuals within a single occasion and between occasions of use. Factors that might explain this variation are outlined. Limitations of the available literature and suggested directions for future research are discussed. [Green B, Kavanagh D, Young R. Being stoned: a review of self-reported cannabis effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob Green
- Community Forensic Mental Health Service, Brisbane, Australia
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11
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Liguori A, Gatto CP, Jarrett DB, McCall WV, Brown TW. Behavioral and subjective effects of marijuana following partial sleep deprivation. Drug Alcohol Depend 2003; 70:233-40. [PMID: 12757961 DOI: 10.1016/s0376-8716(03)00008-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study tested whether performance would be more impaired when marijuana use followed partial sleep deprivation (PSD) than when marijuana use followed a typical night of sleep. Seven recreational marijuana users (mean 15 of last 30 days) completed six test sessions in a double-blind randomized within-subject design. Each session began with an overnight stay in a sleep laboratory. Bed and wake times were calculated from mean data on individual sleep diaries. Time-in-bed was either regular (mean=8.2 h) or shortened (first 65% of regular time-in-bed deprived). At 3 and 5 h after waking, daytime sleepiness was measured with self-report questionnaires and a sleep latency test. Approximately 6.5 h after waking, subjects smoked a marijuana cigarette (0.003, 2, or 3.5% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]). Test batteries were completed 2, 62, and 122 min after smoking ended. Sleepiness was significantly greater following PSD than after regular sleep. Following regular sleep, heart rate increases with active THC doses were comparable, but heart rate with 2% THC was significantly less elevated following PSD. Ratings of "impaired" and "stoned" increased with both THC doses after regular sleep and were further increased with 3.5% THC after PSD. High-potency marijuana increased body sway similarly across sleep conditions. There were no significant effects of marijuana or PSD, alone or in combination, on brake latency. Thus, while PSD increased the dose-dependence of THC effects on heart rate and subjective impairment, it did not enhance the effects of marijuana on standing balance and brake latency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Liguori
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
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12
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Abstract
With many drugs of abuse, humans and other species display a preference for higher doses (or more potent dosage forms) over lower doses (or less potent dosage forms). The present study was designed to determine whether this generalization would hold for marijuana smoking by humans. Twelve regular marijuana smokers participated in two independent and identical choice trials in which, on separate sessions, they first sampled marijuana of two different potencies (0.63% and 1.95% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol; THC) and then, on the next session, chose which of the two, as well as how much, to smoke. During sampling sessions, the high-potency marijuana produced a greater heart rate increase and greater subjective effects than the low-potency marijuana. Subjects chose the high-potency marijuana significantly more often than the low-potency marijuana (21 out of 24 choice occasions). These results support the hypothesis that the reinforcing effects of marijuana, and possibly its abuse liability, are positively related to THC content.
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Affiliation(s)
- L D Chait
- Department of Psychiatry, MC3077, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, IL 60637
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13
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Cherek DR, Roache JD, Egli M, Davis C, Spiga R, Cowan K. Acute effects of marijuana smoking on aggressive, escape and point-maintained responding of male drug users. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1993; 111:163-8. [PMID: 7870947 DOI: 10.1007/bf02245518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Aggressive, escape and point-maintained operant responding of male marijuana smokers were measured during six 25-min sessions conducted over an 8-h experimental day. Aggressive responding ostensibly subtracted points exchangeable for money from another subject. Escape responding protected the subject's counter from point subtractions initiated by the other subject for some period of time. Aggressive and escape responding were engendered by subtracting points from the subjects and maintained by initiation of intervals free of point subtractions. Point subtractions presented to the subjects were attributed to other persons. Subjects earned points exchangeable for money on a third response option. Subjects participated in one session prior to smoking and five sessions after smoking. Subjects smoked placebo or three different potencies of active marijuana cigarettes. Marijuana smoking effects on escape responding were not significant and depended upon the frequency of provocation. Point-maintained responding was decreased after marijuana smoking. Aggressive responding was increased for the first hour after smoking and returned to placebo levels later in the day. These effects of marijuana smoking on aggressive responding are discussed in terms of subject characteristics, particularly drug use history.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R Cherek
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas, Health Science Center at Houston 77030-3497
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14
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Kelly TH, Foltin RW, Emurian CS, Fischman MW. Multidimensional behavioral effects of marijuana. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 1990; 14:885-902. [PMID: 2277852 DOI: 10.1016/0278-5846(90)90075-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
1. Five groups of three healthy adult male volunteers (n = 15), all reporting occasional, controlled marijuana use, gave written consent and participated in residential studies lasting 6 to 15 days. 2. Subjects smoked marijuana cigarettes (0, 1.3, 2.3 or 2.7% THC, w/w) at 0945, 1330, 1700 and 2030 every day, and each subject received both active and placebo marijuana cigarettes in 2-5 consecutive day phases, with placebo and active doses presented in an alternating fashion. 3. In comparison with placebo, active marijuana produced a variety of effects on measures of human behavior, including increases in food consumption and errors on psychomotor tasks, decreases in bouts of tobacco-cigarette smoking and verbal interactions and no changes in rates of task performance, time spent under social conditions or social cooperation. 4. Dimensions of human behavior were differentially sensitive to the effects of smoked marijuana. 5. The simultaneous measurement of multiple dimensions of human behavior is a useful procedure for determining dose potency following marijuana administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- T H Kelly
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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15
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Heishman SJ, Stitzer ML, Yingling JE. Effects of tetrahydrocannabinol content on marijuana smoking behavior, subjective reports, and performance. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1989; 34:173-9. [PMID: 2560548 DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(89)90369-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the smoking topography of marijuana and its effect on heart rate, subjective reports, and cognitive/psychomotor task performance. Male subjects (N = 12) with histories of moderate marijuana use smoked ad lib one cigarette containing 0, 1.3, or 2.7% delta 9-THC on separate days. Smoking topography measures revealed smaller puff and inhalation volumes and shorter puff duration for the high marijuana dose compared to the low dose. No other smoking behavior differed between the active doses. Heart rate was increased dose dependently over placebo levels. Active marijuana also increased subjective reports of drug effect over placebo, but not dose dependently. Significant memory impairment was observed on a forward and reverse digit span task, and performance was impaired on the digit symbol substitution task by the high, but not low, dose of marijuana. Performance on a divided attention task was not affected by marijuana. Thus, although subjects adjusted their smoking of cigarettes varying in THC content, dose-related effects of marijuana were obtained on several measures. The observed differences and individual variation in smoking topography measures suggest that precise control of smoking behavior would improve the accuracy of marijuana dose delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Heishman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224
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16
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Heishman SJ, Stitzer ML. Effect of d-amphetamine, secobarbital, and marijuana on choice behavior: social versus nonsocial options. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1989; 99:156-62. [PMID: 2508149 DOI: 10.1007/bf00442801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The effects of oral d-amphetamine and secobarbital and smoked marijuana on human social conversation and preference for socializing were studied in three separate experiments. During experimental sessions, active drug or placebo was administered using an acute or divided dosing procedure. Subjects who received drug then engaged in a discrete-trial choice procedure in which they made a series of mutually exclusive choices between a social (talking with their nondrugged partner) and nonsocial (sitting quietly alone) option. Lapel microphones and voice operated relays measured seconds of speech. Subjects engaged in greater amounts of conversation and chose the social option more frequently following acute dosing of d-amphetamine and secobarbital compared with placebo. Acute administration of marijuana did not significantly affect social speech or choice behavior, producing slight decreases in both measures. Acute dosing of all drugs significantly increased subjective drug effect or drug high; however, only secobarbital affected the circular lights task, producing significant performance decrements. The shifts in preference toward the social option observed with d-amphetamine and secobarbital suggest that these drugs increased the reinforcing effects of socializing relative to sitting alone. This may be one mechanism by which psychoactive drugs facilitate social conversation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Heishman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224
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Abstract
This study compared subjective and performance dose effect profiles of oral alcohol and smoked marijuana. Male subjects (N = 6) with histories of moderate alcohol and marijuana use received three doses of alcohol (0, 0.6, 1.2 g/kg) and three doses of marijuana (0, 1.3, 2.7% delta 9-THC) in a double-blind, randomized crossover design. Physiological indices indicated that active drug was delivered to subjects dose dependently. Alcohol produced dose-related elevations on several subjective measures of drug effect. The high dose of alcohol impaired performance on circular lights, tracking and digit-symbol substitution (DSST) tasks, whereas the low alcohol dose impaired only circular lights performance. Marijuana produced elevations on subjective report measures, but effects were similar for the two active doses. Minimal performance impairment was seen with marijuana on only one measure (DSST speed). The subjective and performance effect profiles produced by smoked marijuana were similar to that of the low (0.6 g/kg) dose of alcohol. These data are useful for understanding the relative performance impairment produced by alcohol and marijuana and the relationship between their subjective and behavioral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Heishman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224
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Nemeth-Coslett R, Henningfield JE, O'Keeffe MK, Griffiths RR. Effects of marijuana smoking on subjective ratings and tobacco smoking. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1986; 25:659-65. [PMID: 3774833 DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(86)90156-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Multiple measures of tobacco cigarette smoking and subjective and physiological effect were collected during 90 minute test sessions in volunteer cigarette smokers who also had histories of recreational marijuana use. Before sessions, subjects smoked one marijuana cigarette (placebo or 1.29%, 2.84%, 4.00%) using a standardized puffing procedure. Each dose and placebo was given four times to each subject in a randomized block sequence. Marijuana smoking produced dose-related increases in heart rate, ratings of dose strength and drug liking. However, marijuana produced no significant alterations in tobacco cigarette smoking. Puff duration within each marijuana cigarette varied in a fashion similar to that observed in previous studies of tobacco cigarette smoking: puff duration progressively decreased as the cigarette was smoked. This effect is probably due to progressive decreases in resistance to draw as the cigarette is smoked. Expired air carbon monoxide (CO) levels following marijuana smoking were inversely related to marijuana dose, suggesting the occurrence of some compensatory changes in marijuana smoking in response to dose manipulations. It is concluded that, although marijuana produces dose-related effects on physiological and subjective effects and on marijuana smoking behavior, marijuana differs from a variety of other psychoactive drugs previously studied in this paradigm in that no reliable changes in tobacco smoking were produced.
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